The Impact of Diabetes on Foot Health (and How to Prevent Complications)
If you're living with diabetes, you've heard the warning:
"Take care of your feet."
But what does that really mean? Routine care requires concrete steps, and understanding why your feet are at risk is the first step in preventing serious complications. A consistent routine can be the difference between a minor issue and a life-altering problem. In this blog, Caring Podiatry will break down how the condition affects your feet…and what you can do about it!
How Does Diabetes Actually Hurt Your Feet?
When we talk about diabetic foot health, we're really talking about two separate problems that create a perfect storm.
1. First, diabetes can damage your nerves, causing a loss of feeling.
2. Second, it can narrow your arteries, reducing blood flow.
This means you are more likely to get an injury and less likely to heal from it!
· Nerve Damage (Peripheral Neuropathy): This loss of sensation is a critical threat.
You might not feel a blister forming, a pebble in your shoe, or a small cut. This unnoticed injury is "ground zero" for a major problem.
· Poor Circulation (Peripheral Artery Disease): Diabetes can narrow your blood vessels, reducing blood flow to your feet.
Blood flow is essential for healing. Without it, a tiny cut can't repair itself, and the tissue can break down.
What is a "Diabetic Foot Ulcer"?
This is the main complication we work to prevent. An ulcer is an open sore that results directly from the "one-two punch" of nerve damage and poor circulation.
Here is the common, dangerous timeline:
An unfelt injury occurs (like a red spot from a shoe rubbing).
You keep walking on it (because you can't feel it).
The skin breaks down from the pressure.
The wound can't heal due to poor blood flow.
The wound gets infected, creating an open ulcer.
A diabetic foot ulcer is a medical emergency and the leading cause of diabetic amputations. But the most important thing to know is that with proper care, most are completely preventable.
How Do I Prevent Complications at Home?
Your most powerful tool is a simple daily habit: inspection.
Check Your Feet Every Day. Look over every part of your feet—top, bottom, and between your toes. Use a mirror if you can't see the bottom. You're looking for anything new: blisters, cuts, red spots, swelling, or ingrown nails.
Never Go Barefoot. Not even at home. A small sliver or piece of glass you can't feel can cause a serious infection.
Check Your Shoes Before You Put Them On. Always slide your hand inside your shoes to feel for any torn lining, seams, or pebbles. Consider buying diabetic shoes!
Wash and Dry Carefully. Use lukewarm (never hot) water and mild soap. Dry gently, especially between the toes, to prevent fungal infections.
Wear the Right Socks. Choose soft, seamless, light-colored (white) socks. This makes it easier to spot any drainage or blood from a wound you might not have felt.
When Do I Need to See a Podiatrist?
See your podiatrist immediately if you find:
Any break in the skin (a cut, blister, or open sore).
New swelling, redness, or warmth, which can signal a hidden infection.
An ingrown toenail. Do not attempt "bathroom surgery."
A change in your skin color.
Even if your feet seem fine, schedule a Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam (CDFE) at least once per year. This checkup is the key to catching problems before they start!
If you want to take the next step toward better foot health, contact our Monroe Township (609-860-9111), Neptune (732-455-8700), or North Brunswick Township (609-860-9111) offices to schedule a consultation. Podiatrists Andrew Schmierer, Craig Shapero, Mark Fillari, and Nicholas Crider will be eager to help you with the warmth, compassion, and expertise Caring Podiatry is known for.