Diabetes and your Feet
- People with diabetes risk serious and disabling foot complications and even
amputation if they do not look after their feet! - High blood sugar can damage the nerves in your feet and cause blood flow problems. As a result of this foot related problems are far more prevalent in people with diabetes.
How can having Diabetes affect my feet?
There are two ways that diabetes may affect the feet;
1. The nerves which are responsible for allowing us to feel pain, temperature extremes and early signs of possible trauma are damaged. Nerve damage in your feet can make your feet feel like they have “pins and needles” in them.
2. The blood supply to the feet may diminish due to damaged blood vessels.
- People with diabetes may end up with wounds that won’t heal, feet that are swollen or blue, or skin on your feet that is dry and cracked.
What can the Podiatrists at Barefeet Podiatry do to help?
- We can help people with diabetes look after their feet, and provide education to try and prevent these complications occurring.
- A full Neurovascular assessment will be performed on your first visit and repeated as required. This will ensure you have adequate blood flow and sensation in the feet.
- Regular general treatments may be advised.
- A Podiatrist may recommend orthoses or insoles to help relieve foot pain and discomfort.
Tips for Looking after your feet with Diabetes:
- Try and keep blood sugar levels within the range advised for you
- Encourage good blood circulation by doing regular exercise and wearing good footwear
- Avoid walking barefoot when possible
- Choose footwear suitable for your activity
- Make sure you have your feet measured properly for appropriate footwear
- Check your shoes for excessive wear or any rough spots on the inside
- Use moisturiser daily to stop heels cracking and keep the skin supple, do not however put the moisturiser between the toes! Putting moisturiser between the toes is generally discouraged, since the skin between the toes tends to stay moist naturally; adding moisturiser can cause the skin to break down and become a breeding ground for infections.
- Inspect your feet daily! Look for signs of heat, redness, swelling or pain. If you need to you can use a mirror to see the bottom of your feet.
- Look inside and shake out your shoes and socks before you put them on. This will help you remove small objects that could hurt your feet.