If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you’ve probably heard your doctor mention the importance of looking after your feet. It’s one of those things that gets mentioned at appointments, tucked into information pamphlets, and brought up by friends or family members.
But why are your feet such a focus when you have diabetes? And what’s the actual risk if you skip those regular foot checks?
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Feet?
Diabetes impacts your feet in two major ways: nerve damage (neuropathy) and reduced blood flow (circulation problems). Often, these two issues work together to create a situation where small problems can become serious very quickly.
Nerve Damage (Diabetic Neuropathy)
High blood sugar levels over time can damage the nerves in your feet, a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. This nerve damage reduces sensation, which means you might not feel pain, heat, cold, or pressure the way you used to. That might not sound like a big deal at first. But that pain is actually your body’s early warning system. It tells you when something’s wrong.
Reduced Blood Flow (Circulation Problems)
Diabetes can also affect the blood vessels in your legs and feet, decreasing circulation. When blood flow is compromised, your body’s ability to heal slows down significantly. A small cut that would normally heal in a few days might take weeks or might not heal properly at all.
Diabetes circulation problems also mean that infections are harder to fight off. Your immune system relies on good blood flow to deliver white blood cells to the site of an infection. When circulation is poor, even minor infections can become serious.
The Dangerous Combination
When nerve damage and poor circulation occur together, even small foot issues can escalate quickly. With reduced sensation, you may not notice a blister from new shoes, a small cut, or even a burn. Without that early warning, injuries often go untreated.
At the same time, poor circulation slows healing and makes it harder for your body to fight infection. What starts as something minor can quickly develop into an open sore, infection, or diabetic foot ulcer.
What Can Go Wrong Without Proper Diabetic Foot Care?
The complications that can arise from diabetes range from manageable to serious. Here’s what experienced podiatrists watch for:
Foot Ulcers
Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores that develop on the feet, often starting from a small injury or area of pressure. Because of neuropathy, you might not feel them developing. Because of poor circulation, they don’t heal easily. Left untreated, ulcers can become infected and lead to more serious complications.
Infections
Any break in the skin, a cut, blister, ingrown toenail, or a crack in dry skin can become an entry point for infection. For people with diabetes, these infections can spread quickly and are harder to treat. What starts as redness and swelling can escalate into a serious diabetic foot infection requiring hospitalisation.
Charcot Foot
This is a less common but serious condition where the bones in the foot weaken and can fracture. Because of neuropathy, you might not feel the injury happening. The foot can become deformed, making it difficult to walk and creating pressure points that lead to ulcers.
Amputation
This is the complication no one wants to talk about, but it’s important to understand the risk. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of lower limb amputations. Many of these complications can be reduced or prevented with appropriate care and early intervention.
How Often Should You See a Podiatrist for Diabetic Foot Care?
A six monthly check by your podiatrist will help to detect any changes early – before they become a problem. The frequency of your diabetic footcare checks depends on your individual risk level:
- Low Risk (no neuropathy, good circulation, no foot deformities): Annual checks
- Moderate Risk (some neuropathy or circulation issues, minor foot deformities): Every 3-6 months
- High Risk (significant neuropathy, poor circulation, history of ulcers or deformities): Every 1-3 months, or as recommended by your podiatrist
Your podiatrist will let you know what schedule is right for you based on their assessment.
What Happens During A Diabetic Foot Care Check?
Visual Inspection
Your podiatrist will carefully examine your feet, looking for cuts, blisters, calluses, corns, redness, swelling, or any changes in skin colour or texture. They’ll check between your toes (a spot people often miss) and look at your toenails for signs of infection or ingrown nails.
A neurovascular assessment looks at both nerve function and blood flow in your feet – two key areas affected by diabetes. Your podiatrist may use a small filament to test how well you can feel pressure in different areas of your feet, along with checking vibration or reflexes. This helps identify early signs of diabetic neuropathy.
They will also assess circulation by checking pulses and observing how well blood is flowing to your feet. Good circulation is essential for healing and preventing infection.
Structural Assessment
Changes in foot structure, like bunions, hammertoes, or flat feet, can create pressure points that lead to ulcers. Your podiatrist will assess your foot shape and how you walk to identify any areas of concern.
Footwear Check
Your shoes play a big role in preventing diabetic foot problems. Your podiatrist will check whether your footwear fits properly, provides adequate support, and isn’t creating pressure points or rubbing.
At AC Podiatry, we understand the unique challenges that diabetes presents for foot health. Our diabetic footcare Adelaide services include thorough assessments, early intervention, education on daily foot care, and ongoing monitoring to keep you healthy and active.
What You Can Do Between Podiatry Visits
Professional diabetic foot care is important, but what you do at home matters just as much. Here’s how to look after your feet between appointments:
Check Your Feet Daily
Inspect your feet every day, including between your toes and the soles. Use a mirror if you can’t see the bottom of your feet easily, or ask someone to help. Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or anything that looks different from yesterday.
Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry
Wash your feet daily with lukewarm water (test the temperature with your elbow, not your foot, since neuropathy can affect your ability to sense heat). Dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes, as moisture can lead to fungal infections.
Moisturise – But Not Between the Toes
Dry, cracked skin can become an entry point for infection. Use a good moisturiser on your feet, but avoid putting it between your toes, where excess moisture can cause problems.
Trim Toenails Carefully
Cut your toenails straight across and file any sharp edges. If you have trouble seeing your feet, have thick nails, or have neuropathy, it’s safer to have your podiatrist trim them for you.
Always Wear Shoes
Never walk barefoot, even at home. You could step on something sharp and not feel it. Wear well-fitting shoes with socks, and check inside your shoes before putting them on to make sure there’s nothing inside that could cause injury.
Manage Your Blood Sugar
This is the foundation of diabetes and foot health. Keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range reduces the risk of nerve damage and circulation problems developing or getting worse.
Catch Problems Early. Protect Your Feet Long Term
Diabetic foot complications can be serious, but in many cases they’re preventable with the right care and early intervention. Regular check-ups, combined with simple daily habits and good blood sugar management, can make a significant difference over time.
If you have diabetes and haven’t had your feet checked recently, it’s worth booking an appointment with a qualified podiatrist.
If you’re based in Adelaide, our team at AC Podiatry provides comprehensive diabetic foot care, including neurovascular assessments and ongoing monitoring to help you stay on top of your foot health.
To arrange an appointment, you can call (08) 8255 5575 or book online at a time that suits you. We have podiatry clinics in Oakden, Adelaide CBD, Magill, and Malvern.
Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and should not replace personalised medical advice. Please consult with a registered podiatrist and your diabetes care team for individual assessment and treatment recommendations.
