Saturday 14th November marks World Diabetes Day, an annual campaign raising awareness of diabetes and the importance of good diabetes care. It’s also a great opportunity to talk about something that can sometimes be overlooked when managing diabetes: your feet!
For people living with diabetes, looking after your feet is about much more than keeping them comfortable. Diabetes can affect the nerves and circulation in your feet, making it harder to recognise injuries and allowing relatively small problems to develop into more serious complications.
The good news? With the right care, regular checks and a little attention at home, many foot complications can be prevented.
How does diabetes affect your feet?
Diabetes can affect your feet in two main ways: nerve damage and reduced circulation.
1. Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage the nerves in your feet. This is known as peripheral neuropathy.
You might notice:
- Numbness or reduced sensation.
- Tingling or pins and needles.
- Burning sensations or unusual sensitivity.
- Difficulty feeling pain, heat or cold.
One of the biggest concerns is that you may not notice a cut, blister or small injury because you cannot feel it properly. Something as simple as a stone in your shoe or a rubbing seam in your sock could cause damage without you realising.
2. Reduced circulation
Diabetes can also affect the blood vessels, reducing blood flow to your feet and lower limbs.
Good circulation is important because it helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin and tissues, supporting healing. When circulation is reduced, even a small cut or wound can take longer to heal and may be more vulnerable to infection.
When nerve damage and reduced circulation occur together, the risk of developing foot ulcers and other complications increases.
5 simple ways to look after your feet if you have diabetes
The good news is that a few simple habits can make a real difference.
1. Check your feet every day
Make checking your feet part of your daily routine. Look at the soles, heels, tops of your feet and between your toes.
Keep an eye out for:
- Cuts, cracks or broken skin.
- Blisters or areas of rubbing.
- Redness, swelling or changes in colour.
- Corns or areas of hard skin.
- Changes to your toenails.
If you struggle to see the soles of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone to help.
2. Keep your feet clean and moisturised
Wash your feet daily using warm (not hot) water and mild soap. Dry them carefully, particularly between your toes, as trapped moisture can encourage fungal infections.
If your skin is dry, apply a suitable moisturiser to help prevent cracking. Avoid applying cream between your toes.
3. Wear suitable footwear
Your shoes should fit properly, with enough room for your toes and no areas of rubbing or pressure.
Before putting your shoes on, check inside for small stones, rough edges or anything that could irritate your skin.
Avoid walking barefoot, even around the house. Wearing suitable footwear helps protect your feet from accidental injuries.
4. Be careful with corns and hard skin
If you have diabetes, avoid using over-the-counter corn plasters, blades or chemical treatments to remove hard skin.
Corns and calluses can sometimes indicate areas of increased pressure on your feet. A podiatrist can assess these areas and remove hard skin safely, while also looking at what might be causing the problem.
5. Don’t ignore small changes
A small cut, blister or change in skin colour might not seem like much, but it’s important to take it seriously.
If you notice a break in the skin, redness, swelling, discharge, a change in temperature or a change in sensation, seek prompt medical advice. If you notice a new wound, don’t wait for your next routine appointment.
Why is a diabetic foot assessment so important?
One of the most important things you can do when living with diabetes is have your feet professionally assessed regularly.
A diabetic foot assessment isn’t simply a quick look at your toenails. It involves checking several aspects of your foot health to identify any potential risks before they develop into bigger problems.
At South Dublin Podiatry, a diabetic foot assessment can include:
- Circulation checks: Assessing the blood supply to your feet by checking pulses and looking for signs of reduced circulation.
- Neurological testing: Using appropriate tests, such as a monofilament, to assess sensation and identify any loss of protective feeling.
- Skin and nail assessment: Checking for dry skin, cracks, fungal infections, corns, calluses and other changes.
- Foot structure: Looking for bunions, toe deformities and areas of increased pressure that could lead to skin damage.
- Footwear advice: Assessing whether your shoes are providing the right fit, comfort and protection.
These checks help identify whether your feet are at low, moderate or high risk of developing complications and help determine how frequently you should be reviewed.
Everyone living with diabetes should have their feet assessed at least once a year, although some people will need more frequent assessments depending on their individual risk.
World Diabetes Day: Take a moment to think about your feet
This World Diabetes Day, we’re encouraging everyone living with diabetes to give their feet a little extra attention.
Foot complications don’t always start with something painful or obvious. In fact, one of the challenges of diabetic foot problems is that you may not realise something is wrong until it has progressed.
Regular foot checks, appropriate footwear and professional podiatry care can all play an important role in keeping your feet healthy.
At South Dublin Podiatry, we offer diabetic foot assessments to help identify potential problems, assess your individual risk and provide advice on keeping your feet healthy.
If you have diabetes and haven’t had your feet checked recently, why not arrange an assessment with our team?
Your feet carry you through life. Make sure you’re looking after them!