How Does Diabetes Affect the Feet?

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, making it the ideal time to talk about how this condition impacts the feet. For people with diabetes, elevated blood sugar over a long period of time can cause damage to the nerves and blood vessels, often leading to further complications in the lower extremities. Here’s a basic guide on how diabetes can affect the feet:

Diabetic Neuropathy

One of the most common and well-known complications of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy, which happens due to nerve damage. Between 50 and 70% of people with diabetes experience neuropathy. Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning or sharp pain in the feet. It can also cause a loss of sensation, which is especially problematic because it reduces the ability to feel pain. Because of this, even the smallest of undetected injuries, like a blister or a scrape, can cause more serious problems to arise.

Circulation Issues

Diabetes can cause the blood vessels to narrow or harden, reducing blood flow to the legs and feet. Poor circulation is a concern because it may cause the feet to feel cold, skin color to change in the affected areas, or legs to cramp or swell. Blood vessels are responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, which the body needs to heal if there’s an injury or an infection. If blood flow is cut off, wounds can take longer to recover and can become more vulnerable to infection.

Foot Ulcers

Neuropathy and poor circulation is a concerning combination for people with diabetes, often leading to diabetic foot ulcers. When someone with diabetic neuropathy has a wound on their foot, even if it’s small, they may not be able to feel it, potentially leaving it unaddressed for an extended period of time. If they also have poor circulation, or peripheral artery disease (PAD), the wound may be slow to heal. This can lead to the formation of ulcers. Stepping on a sharp object, wearing ill-fitting shoes that cause blisters, or even having a foot deformity that causes uneven pressure on one area can all lead to diabetic foot ulcers. That’s why inspecting the feet daily and proper wound care are essential.

Infections and Foot Deformities

Fungal infections, like athlete’s foot and toenail fungus, and bacterial infections can develop quickly and go unnoticed, making them a concern for people with diabetes. If left untreated, they can spread deeper into tissue and even into bones, leading to some serious health implications. 

Diabetes can also contribute to the development of foot deformities. As nerve damage weakens the muscles in the feet, muscle atrophy and structural issues can arise, leading to conditions like hammertoes, claw toes, Charcot foot or flat feet. These foot deformities create new pressure points in the feet, which can contribute to the development of foot ulcers.

Diabetic Foot Care Tips

When you live with diabetes, daily foot care habits can go a long way in protecting your feet from potential complications. Here are some simple steps to build into your daily routine:

• Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, sores, redness or swelling. If it’s hard to see the bottom of your foot, use a mirror or ask a loved one for assistance.
• Wash your feet in lukewarm (not hot) water. Dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.
• Apply lotion to the tops of your feet and your heels to prevent dryness and cracking, but never between the toes.
• Wear properly fitting shoes and clean, dry socks that are free of rips or holes. Avoid walking barefoot, even if you’re indoors.
• Cut your toenails straight across, not too short, and never use sharp instruments to treat an ingrown toenail or callus yourself.
• Keep your feet away from fireplaces, furnaces, and hot or cold water.
• Schedule regular checkups with your podiatrist.

Diabetes may raise the risk of foot problems, but being informed and proactive about your foot health is one of the most helpful things you can do to protect your feet. For routine podiatry checkups or assistance with a current complication stemming from diabetes, you can always reach out to the Colleyville podiatrists at North Texas Foot & Ankle. Give us a call at (214) 574-9255or contact us online to schedule a visit in our Irving office.