Diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels in the feet, reducing sensation and blood flow. This makes it harder to notice injuries and for wounds to heal, increasing the risk of serious complications. Without proper care, small cuts or blisters can lead to ulcers or infections. Diabetic foot problems are a leading cause of hospitalization for people with diabetes. However, most diabetic foot complications are preventable. With smart daily diabetic foot care prevention, you can protect your feet and stay active.
Understanding Diabetic Foot Problems
It’s estimated that 29 million people have diabetes in the United States. Between 20% and 30% of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes develop nerve damage in the feet and hands. Once this nerve damage, called distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN), develops, the chance of ulcers forming repeatedly increases from about 1% to 7%.
People with diabetes are at risk for DSPN and peripheral artery disease (PAD) in their feet. Although these conditions are different, they can work together to make foot problems more likely and more serious. That’s why daily diabetic foot care and regular checkups are so important.
Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy and Its Effects
Any person with diabetes is at risk of developing neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by high blood sugar. It can cause numbness, tingling or loss of feeling in the feet, making it easy to miss injuries or pressure points.
DSPN is the most common type of nerve damage in people with diabetes. “Distal” means it affects the farthest parts of your body — usually your feet and sometimes your hands. “Symmetric” means it happens on both sides equally, such as both feet and both hands. “Polyneuropathy” means many nerves are affected. The feet and toes are the most commonly affected areas.
Symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning, pain, weakness or loss of feeling in the feet. Small cuts or blisters are the main risks, as they can go unnoticed and become serious because you may not feel pain from these injuries.
Peripheral Artery Disease and Its Effects
Diabetes is a significant contributor to PAD. PAD sufferers have narrowed or blocked arteries or blood vessels that carry blood to their legs and feet. You may feel pain, cramping or tiredness in your extremities, especially when walking. It can also cause your feet to feel cold or look pale.
Poor blood flow means wounds or sores on the feet heal slowly or may not heal at all, increasing the risk of infection. PAD generally affects the legs and feet, but can impact the arms. Carefully managing diabetes is crucial in reducing the risk and severity of this condition.
Daily Foot Care Routine
Include foot and wound checks in your daily routine so you can seek the appropriate diabetic foot treatment quickly when you detect a problem. These diabetic foot care tips will add structure to your daily routine:
1. Inspect Your Feet Every Day
Look out for cuts and abrasions, sores, blisters or inflammation. If you’re struggling to see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror. If you have mobility issues, you can ask for help. A great tip is to build this inspection into a specific part of your daily routine — upon rising in the morning, just before your daily walk or last thing at night, for example.
2. Wash Your Feet Carefully
Use warm, not hot, water and mild soap or a cleanser prescribed by a podiatrist or healthcare professional. Use a soft washcloth or sponge and avoid scrubbing pumice stones unless permitted by a doctor. Dry thoroughly, especially between your toes, to prevent fungal infections.
3. Keep the Skin Moisturized
Apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of your feet to prevent itching and cracks. Avoid putting lotion between your toes, which can lead to excess moisture that causes fungal infections.
4. Trim Toenails Properly
Long or thick nails can rub against the neighboring toes and cause open sores. Cut toenails straight across and file sharp edges. Don’t cut them too short or round the corners, which can cause ingrown nails.
5. Wear Appropriate Socks and Shoes
Choose clean, dry socks — preferably moisture-wicking and seamless — and well-fitting shoes. Avoid going barefoot, even at home, to protect your feet from injury.
Choosing the Right Diabetic Footwear
Custom diabetic footwear includes socks and shoes manufactured to promote healthy circulation, prevent irritation and reduce the risk of injury. More about choosing the right footwear:
- Diabetic socks: Key features include moisture-wicking materials like bamboo, wool or synthetic blends that draw moisture away from the skin. Dry feet can help prevent fungal infections. Non-binding tops help improve circulation by not constricting blood flow to your feet and lower legs. Seamless or smooth toe seams reduce friction and pressure, minimizing the risk of blisters and sores.
- Importance of well-fitting shoes: Diabetic neuropathy footwear is designed to fit properly, helping to prevent blisters, calluses and pressure sores. It often includes extra depth, allowing for custom orthotics or insoles. The inside of the shoe can be seamless to avoid rubbing or irritation that can cause blisters or ulcers. These shoes have a wide toe box to prevent friction on bunions and to minimize pressure points. Soft, padded materials provide additional cushioning and allow the feet to breathe.
- Types of shoes to avoid: Avoid high heels, flip-flops, open-toed or open-heeled shoes and shoes that are too tight or loose. These can increase the risk of injury.
When to Seek Professional Help
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice cuts, sores, blisters, redness, swelling, pus, black or blue skin, or new or worsening pain or numbness.
Book a foot exam with a podiatrist at least once a year or more often if you have a history of foot problems. Doctors of podiatric medicine — also called podiatrists or foot and ankle doctors — are board-certified surgical specialists. They are the leading experts in foot and ankle care and can carry out diabetic foot care treatments in patients of all ages.
Take the Next Step With Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates
Ready to protect your feet and your future? Schedule a diabetic foot check with our caring team at Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates today to talk about the importance of foot care in diabetes management. Our experienced specialists are here to answer your questions, provide personalized care, and help you stay active and independent. Don’t let foot concerns hold you back from enjoying life — reach out and let us support you on your health journey.
We accomplish our mission — to improve the quality of people’s lives — by remaining at the forefront of medical technology and adopting innovative practices that make a meaningful difference in our patients’ lives. Contact us today to connect with our team of diabetic foot care doctors to help you on your journey.
