What Happens to Your Feet When You Have Diabetes?
Over time and with prolonged high blood sugar, people with diabetes can develop serious foot problems. These can include infections, slow wound healing, deformities and loss of the feet or limbs. Fortunately, these can be prevented with proper blood sugar control and diabetic foot care.
Diabetic Foot Problems
Two primary foot problems are diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease, each of which can have serious complications and require ongoing diabetes foot care. Diabetic Neuropathy Because uncontrolled high blood sugar can damage the nerves in their extremities, it can be difficult for individuals who have diabetes to feel sensation in their feet and limbs. The condition can also cause tingling, numbness, and pain in the foot. When you lose sensation in your feet, you may not feel injuries or shoes rubbing, leading to blisters, sores, and cuts. If these are slow healing, they could lead to infection and if not treated loss of the affected body part. Peripheral Vascular Disease When you have diabetes, you can also have changes in your blood vessels and arteries. You can develop the peripheral vascular disease as a result of uncontrolled blood glucose levels, causing reduced blood flow to your feet and hands. When blood flow is reduced to the extremities and you have poor circulation in your legs and feet, it can lead to slow healing wounds, foot ulcers, infection, and pain. If an infection becomes severe, it could lead to amputation. You may experience numbness, tingling and burning in your feet when you have a peripheral vascular disease. Performing Diabetic Feet Self Checks If you have diabetes, you should pay special attention to your feet. It’s a good idea to inspect your feet every day. Perhaps you could do this first thing in the morning when you put on your socks or at the end of the day when you take off your socks. You should particularly examine your feet for signs of:- Swelling in the ankle or foot
- Temperature changes in your feet
- Sores on your feet
- Foot skin color changes
- Numbness, tingling or pain in your feet
- Ingrown toenails
- Athletes foot (or other types of fungal infections)
- Cracked skin on the heels
- Dry skin on the heels
- Signs of infection, including redness or pus.