If you have diabetes, you’ll probably already know that you are at increased risk of developing foot conditions, including wounds and infections. Learning to take care of your feet can be very helpful as part of your diabetes management plan, and you can discuss this with your diabetes care team. Understanding your increased risks and how to look after your feet can make a big difference, and we’ll explore this here.
At Foot Solutions, we can help you to take care of your feet and prevent foot diseases and problems wherever you can. Our aim is to make life easier for you, and our ranges of comfortable, stylish shoes, orthotics, and insoles can transform the way your feet feel in your shoes. When you have additional complications such as diabetes, you may need extra support in caring for your feet and we can talk with you about how to manage this.
Diabetes and Foot Conditions
Those living with diabetes are at increased risk of foot conditions and complications, particularly if they have poor circulation or diabetes-related neuropathy, which occurs when persistently high blood sugar leads to nerve damage. Common diabetic foot conditions that are more likely to occur when you have diabetes include:
- Diabetes-related Neuropathy. Diabetes-related neuropathy is nerve damage that means that the feet are often numb or painful, and this can make it harder to tell when you injure or wound your feet. It is also more likely that wounds will become infected, since those with diabetes are more likely to experience inflammation and to have a weakened immune system. Wounds can be slow to heal and might spread to other areas of the body, so it is very important to identify wounds quickly and take steps to promote healing. Consistent elevated blood sugar levels can lead to damage in the small blood vessels and nerves, and the levels required to cause neuropathy or PAD vary between individuals. This study shows that in a population of people with Type 2 diabetes, an A1C that is consistently over 7% over three years can increase your risk of diabetes-related neuropathy.
- Charcot Foot. Charcot Foot is a degenerative condition in which the structure of the foot collapses due to an undetected injury, which causes a deformity in the foot. This can, in turn, lead to ulcers in the feet and has a risk of amputation and even fatality if infection spreads to the rest of the body. You should be alert to the symptoms of Charcot Foot, which include foot pain, swelling, discoloration or redness and a feeling of heat or warmth, especially if this mainly occurs in one foot. If you notice any of these, contact your diabetes care team or your doctor to discuss this as soon as you can.
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). If you have diabetes, you are much more likely to develop peripheral artery disease, or PAD, which can affect the blood flow to the lower limbs. Poor circulation, or reduced blood flow, as often seen in people with diabetes, can make it harder for foot problems such as wounds and sores to heal. Regular visits to your diabetes care team or doctor will help to protect against serious conditions such as these, and regular checks to ensure that you do not have any numbness or signs of infection will be helpful.
Having reduced sensitivity in your feet can make it more likely that you will injure yourself without noticing. Conditions such as these also increase your risk of infection and slow the healing process down. Prevention and early intervention to treat wounds and improve blood flow can make a great deal of difference to the progression of conditions that affect the feet and can have a big impact on long term outcomes.
Taking Care of Your Feet if you have Diabetes
Diabetes affects the nerve endings in the feet, and can compromise the blood supply too, so it is important to manage your blood glucose level wherever you can, and to examine your feet every day to check for any potential problems. You should be working with a doctor or diabetes care team, and they can help you to do this. You should seek help as soon as possible if you notice a change in skin colour or in the way your feet feel, or if your feet are swollen or injured.
To take care of your feet and maintain your foot health with diabetes, you should:
- Manage your blood sugar. Managing your blood sugar is the best way to protect your health and the health of your feet if you have diabetes. You should have a care plan with your diabetes care team, and they should help you to manage your foot care routine. You may need adjustments to your medication over time, so it is important to keep in touch with the latest options, particularly as diabetes management technology improves and options such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) become more widely available.
- Check your feet every day. You should check your feet carefully for any signs of damage and this will help you to protect against infection. This can be done as part of your daily foot care routine, and you should take note of any areas that are red or swollen, as well as any hard skin, corns or blisters, which could develop into sores. It is advised that you do not use foot spas or circulation boosters as these can increase your risk.
- Establish a good foot care routine. Washing your feet every day will help to keep them clean and fresh and is also a good opportunity to check them for any wounds or damage. You should use warm water rather than hot and use gentle soap. Drying your feet carefully is vital, and you need to ensure that you dry between the toes to prevent bacteria from building up here. After this, you should rub in a good moisturiser that will nourish your feet and prevent dry, cracked skin, and take the chance to give your feet a quick massage, too! This is also a good time to cut your toenails, and you should always cut them straight across and avoid cutting them too short.
- Wear good shoes. Wearing shoes that are designed to support your feet and give you the cushioning you need can make a big difference to the health of your feet. You should avoid walking in bare feet wherever possible as this will increase your risk of injuring your feet, and you should always wear clean socks made from natural materials to allow your feet to breathe. Look for shoes that are designed to protect and cushion your feet as you walk or exercise and ensure that your toes are not squashed together inside your shoes. You should have your shoes fitted by a professional fitter to ensure that they fit you well and use custom orthotics to improve the position of your feet inside your shoes. Here at Foot Solutions, we have a great range of sandals, casual shoes, training shoes and footwear for work, so you don’t have to compromise on comfort or style.
- Take care in the sun. Sunburn can cause damage to the delicate skin of your feet and you should take extra care in hot weather. Always use sun cream on your feet and be aware that your feet are more likely to swell in the heat, increasing the risk of your shoes rubbing and causing blisters or cuts. Shoes such as flip-flops will not be sufficient to protect your feet from damage, so make sure that you have a pair of good, supportive sandals to wear on your holidays.
- Promote healthy circulation. Protecting your feet by maintaining good circulation is very important if you have diabetes. You should be aware that there are many ways to encourage good blood flow, such as wearing warm socks when it is cold and exercising regularly. Take the time to elevate your feet when you sit down and stretch out your toes every few minutes to keep your blood moving. Regular exercise is vital for your general health as well as your foot health, and gentle forms of exercise such as swimming or walking may be the most helpful for your circulation.
Looking after your feet can help to prevent injuries and damage to your feet and keep them in good condition, which is especially important when you have diabetes. If you have concerns, speak to your doctor or diabetes care team.
Visit Foot Solutions for Comfortable Shoes In Ireland
Our professional staff at Foot Solutions will be happy to show you our full range of supportive shoes and share their tips and advice on foot care. We look forward to seeing you in store!
