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We are proud to support Diabetes UK, the UK’s leading diabetes charity, who are fighting for a world where diabetes can do no harm. People living with diabetes are at higher risk of foot problems, and in this blog post, we are looking at some of the most common foot problems, how they are treated and what you can do to help prevent them.
Diabetes occurs when your blood glucose or ‘blood sugar’ is too high. There is currently no cure, but it is possible to live a full life with diabetes. Over a long period of time, high blood sugar can affect all parts of the body, including the feet, and cause serious complications, but with the right treatment and support people can live a healthy life. Foot care is highly important and should form part of your daily routine, so with Diabetes UK’s help, we’ve looked into the most common foot problems, how they’re treated and what can be done to prevent them, as well as offering practical advice on which socks offer the best comfort, and when to seek professional help. For more information - click here.
Nerve Damage
High blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage and poor blood flow in your feet. If nerves get damaged, they may stop sending pain signals to your brain. Alternatively, the damaged nerves may send the signals too late, or at completely the wrong time (a sort of ‘phantom pain’).
These problems mean you may not become aware of things that need attention. You might be unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You might get a stone in your shoe that is rubbing and causing a sore but not be able to feel it. Or you might not feel a blister from badly fitting shoes. As well as being painful, nerve damage can also lead to changes in the muscles and bones in your feet, so they change shape and become deformed.
Poor Blood Flow
Damaged blood vessels can reduce the blood supply to your feet. This makes it harder for wounds to heal and infections to clear. A serious condition called gangrene can occur when someone has a diabetic foot ulcer that is infected and has a poor blood supply.
Gangrene is a serious condition where a loss of blood supply causes body tissue to die. Symptoms include:
- Red, purple, or black skin in the affected area (which may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
- Swelling of the skin
- Either a loss of sensation or severe pain in the affected area
- Sores or blisters that bleed or produce a foul-smelling pus
Treatment for the condition involves removing the affected tissue, preventing infection, or treating any existing infection, and treating the initial problem that led to gangrene developing. Foot infections such as gangrene can be extremely serious, and for severe cases, amputation may be considered to prevent further spread. To find out more about the condition, please click here.
Serious Foot Problems & Sepsis
If small issues like cuts or blisters go unnoticed, they can become serious foot problems, and these can sometimes lead to amputation. People with diabetes are at higher risk of severe foot problems, including conditions like Charcot foot, diabetic foot ulcers, and serious infections. As pain may not always be felt, you may not know if you have damage to your feet. Daily foot checks are essential to spot any changes early.
It is important to keep an eye out for warning signs of a serious foot problem, as they need urgent attention.
The iDEAL ACT NOW! checklist (also available for a variety of skin tones), have developed a resource to help you recognise warning signs that might lead to an amputation and encourages you to seek help urgently and call your GP, Podiatrist, nurse or go to your local A&E if you have any of the below problems:
Accident Recent history of accident or trauma?
Change – Is there any new swelling, redness or change of shape of the foot?
Temperature – If there is a change in temperature present?
New pain – Is the pain localised or general through the whole foot?
Oozing – Is there discharge from the foot?
Wound – Is there any break in the skin or blister?
Treatment of serious foot problems depends on the issue but may include antibiotics, specialist footwear, wound care, or surgery. The risk of serious foot problems can be reduced with good daily foot care, well-fitting shoes, regular check-ups, managing blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure and getting support to quit smoking.
Looking After Your Feet
Your healthcare team will be able to advise you on how to look after your feet. Everyone with diabetes should have an annual foot check as part of their annual review. This is essential for prevention of serious foot problems. For people living with diabetes, it is important to maintain a foot care routine, to reduce the risk and detect common foot problems such as corns, calluses, blisters, ingrown toenails, bunions, warts, and athlete’s foot. Even dry and cracked skin can lead to an infection. Simple steps to prevent foot problems include cutting your nails carefully, checking your feet every day, looking for things like any changes in shape or colour, or hard skin, and making sure your footwear fits. Keeping your feet clean is incredibly important, as this reduces the chance of infection. Please see here for more information.
Diabetic Socks
One simple step you can take to protect your feet is to invest in specialist socks, such as IOMI FootNurse Cushion Foot Diabetic Socks, which are specially designed for people with diabetes. The cushioned sole helps to protect feet from daily impact, which can help to reduce the chance of nicks, cuts, and sores. The smooth toe seams lessen rubbing and chafing, whilst the extra-wide leg helps to ease constriction. Additionally, the socks are made from a special CoolMax fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin, helping to keep it clean and dry, while special sanitising treatment can help to prevent infection.
Gentle Grip diabetic socks are another option if you need to wear thinner socks (for example, with formal shoes). They have a HoneyComb Top™ that moulds to the natural shape of your leg, plus a hand-linked toe to reduce the risk of rubbing and sores. If you are still unsure then take a look through our full range of socks for people with diabetes to see everything we offer.
Ultimately, good foot care is important and can prevent serious foot complications. It is important to look after your feet, check them every day, look for any changes, wear appropriate footwear and socks, and attend your annual foot check appointments. These actions really can make a difference in protecting your feet and health. If you are ever unsure about a change in your feet, it is always best to seek advice from your healthcare team straight away.
Please note: This article is for general information only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. If you have diabetes or any concerns about your foot health, we recommend speaking with your GP, podiatrist, or healthcare professional for personalised guidance and the latest advice.