If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll almost certainly have all sorts of questions about the toll it can take on foot health. ‘Having diabetes means you’re at much greater risk of developing foot problems’ including infections and deformities, emphasises Diabetes UK.
The charity estimates that more than 5.8 million people across the country are living with this serious, long-term condition. Diabetes means you often experience high blood sugar levels. This may be because your body doesn’t produce the vital glucose-regulating hormone insulin, doesn’t produce enough of it or is resistant to it. Instead of providing your cells with energy, sugar accumulates in your bloodstream.
As we’ll explain, having sugar rampaging around your body can severely undermine your foot health. So it’s essential to include foot care in your diabetes management plan and attend regular diabetic foot assessments performed by skilled podiatrists such as the Feet By Pody London team.
Diabetes and Foot Health FAQs
Below are answers to five common questions about diabetes and foot care, helping you understand how to protect your feet and prevent potential issues.
Why Does Diabetes Make Foot Problems More Likely?
Firstly, high blood sugar levels gradually impair your nerves’ ability to send signals to your brain about pain, temperature changes, etc. You might not realise you’ve stepped on something sharp or your feet are too hot, for example.
Secondly, the sugar build-up also gradually impairs blood flow to your nerves and other areas. Nerves struggle to survive and skin/tissue struggles to heal because they don’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients. Infections can more easily take hold because it’s harder for white blood cells to reach and destroy microbes.
Although diabetes-related nerve damage and circulatory issues can affect any part of the body, the feet are usually the worst affected. That’s because they’re the areas furthest away from the brain and heart, so their nerve signals and blood flow are weaker from the outset.
Foot problems are chronic complications of diabetes, which means they develop gradually and may have serious consequences if ignored.
What Are the Key Signs of Nerve Damage and Poor Circulation in the Feet?
If diabetes damages the nerves in your feet, which are part of your peripheral nervous system, this is known as peripheral neuropathy. There are several major warning signs to watch out for:
- Tingling or burning sensations
- Pins and needles
- Stabbing or shooting pains
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness (as nerves struggle to send signals to make them move)
- Feet stop sweating (as nerves struggle to send signals to activate sweat glands)
- Not knowing when or how you got a particular cut or other wound on your foot
It’s also important to familiarise yourself with key ways in which poor circulation in your feet can present itself:
- Feet struggle to maintain a normal temperature and persistently feel cold
- Swelling
- Skin discolouration – feet may look pale, red, blue or black
- Dry skin and weak toenails
- Hair loss
If you notice any of these signs, please don’t hesitate to book an appointment at one of our London foot health clinics for expert assistance.
Which Foot Problems Are Commonly Associated with Diabetes?
Diabetes often leads to skin problems such as dry, cracked heels, as well as blisters and corns or calluses (as you may not notice if particular areas are exposed to too much friction or pressure).
It’s also likely to heal foot wounds slowly – even a minor cut may still be present after a fortnight. The longer skin is broken the greater your risk of ulcers and bacterial/viral infections.
You’re also more likely to find fungal nail infections and athlete’s foot take hold.
Plus, diabetes-related muscle weakness is commonly linked to deformities such as hammer toes and bunions, as feet struggle to maintain their correct shape.
What Can You Do to Help Keep Your Feet Healthy?
Checking your feet daily can help you to spot diabetic foot problems quickly. Look for changes in appearance, hot/cold areas and injuries then speak to your podiatrist about any concerns.
Avoid walking barefoot, don’t wear restrictive hosiery, and buy breathable, comfortable footwear from shoe shops that offer a foot-measuring service.
Try to maintain your target blood sugar levels. Eat well and be active to help your feet stay strong.
How Do Our London Podiatrists Help Patients with Diabetes?
We diagnose and treat all kinds of diabetic foot problems, from corns to fungal nail infections.
We also provide diabetic foot assessments (either annually or more frequently, depending on your needs). This involves thoroughly checking/testing your skin, circulation, and nerve function then devising a treatment plan to tackle any issues.
As Know Diabetes emphasises, diabetic foot assessments play a crucial role in keeping feet healthy.
For expert diabetic foot care in London, book an appointment with Feet By Pody today.