How Diabetic Patients Can Protect Their Feet

Living With Diabetes: Make Foot Care A Priority

Common foot problems such as athlete’s foot, ulcers, calluses, warts and blisters usually heal without any major complications. However, if left untreated, these seemingly minor issues can result in serious health problems including infections and amputations for patients with diabetes.

Some of these patients have uncontrolled blood sugar levels which may result in diabetic neuropathy – a serious condition where nerves and blood vessels are damaged. Patients may experience symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning sensations or shooting pains that can significantly impact daily life.

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If you have diabetes and experience numbness or loss of feeling in your feet, you may not be aware of calluses, blisters or cuts on your feet which need treatment. Furthermore, some patients with diabetes experience poor blood flow in their feet, which makes it harder for feet wounds to heal properly. These presuming small problems can potentially become ulcers or open wounds that require medical attention.

When these wounds do not respond to treatment, the feet’s cell tissues die due to a lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection – a condition known as gangrene. Doctors may have to make the difficult choice of amputating the affected toe, foot or a portion of the leg to stop the infection from spreading to save the patient’s life.

Unfortunately, over 40 per cent of patients with diabetes suffer from nerve damage. To avoid such complications, it’s critical for patients with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels. By keeping blood sugar levels close to their target range, these patients can delay or even prevent such damage. This not only improves their overall well-being but also reduces the risk of foot-related health issues in the future.

How diabetic patients can protect their feet

Regular Feet Check-Ups

Diabetic foot screening is a crucial component of managing diabetes. It helps to identify any potential issues before they become serious problems. During the screening, nurses will inspect the patients’ feet for cuts, blisters, swelling or other signs of injury. They will also check for nerve function, circulation and skin for any abnormalities or potential problems. In some instances, doctors may order X-rays to check for bone and joint health.

If you have diabetes, it is important to go for foot screening at least once a year. However, individuals who are at a higher risk of encountering foot problems should consider doing so more frequently. This simple step can greatly decrease the possibility of developing complications such as infections, ulcers and amputations.

St Luke’s Community Clinic Diabetes Care Services has a team of trained nurses and doctors which provides diabetic foot screenings. These specialists can identify issues of diabetic feet, reduce the likelihood of foot complications by educating patients on proper foot care and blood sugar control and refer high-risk individuals to the hospital’s Wound Care Clinic for early intervention.

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Looking After Your Feet

In addition to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and going for regular screenings, you’ll also need to care for your feet regularly. Here’s what you can do to look after them:

  • Examine your feet and toes daily for any cuts, sores, corns or blisters. If you’re unable to see the soles of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone to help you.
  • Wear comfortable shoes that fit properly to avoid hurting your feet. Going barefoot increases the risk of injuring your foot so do wear socks or stockings to protect your feet even at home.
  • Check the inside of your shoes before wearing them to ensure the lining is smooth and there are no jagged edges or pricking objects.
  • Practise good hygiene by washing your feet every day with warm water and mild soap without soaking them. Dry your feet well especially between the toes to prevent moisture from being trapped.
  • Apply moisturising skin lotion all over your feet, except between your toes, to prevent dryness and cracks.
  • Encourage blood flow to your feet by putting your feet up when you are seated, wriggling your toes and flexing your feet up and down. Also, try not to cross your legs for long periods as this restricts blood flow.


It’s important for patients with diabetes to see a doctor promptly if they have open wounds, redness, swelling, pus, changes in skin colour, ulcers, corns and calluses on their feet. These symptoms may indicate an infection or other medical issues that needs professional evaluation and treatment.

By taking care of their feet, diabetic patients can reduce the chances of foot problems and stride into a healthy and active life!

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666396120300078

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