Diabetes is often ignored by people, but it can result in different foot diseases. From tingling to ulcers, a diabetic patient might experience certain foot diseases.
Diabetes changes the skin of the foot, making it dry. This results in cracks, which hamper the moisture control ability of the foot. Peripheral neuropathy in diabetes results in foot problems, and you might experience numbness, burning, or tingling.
People with diabetes have high blood sugar levels. If not treated properly, there is a high chance of damaging the nerve and blood vessels. This accounts for a range of foot diseases. Hence, you need to have adequate foot care and podiatric check-ups so that conditions do not worsen.
Presently, around 30% of the people in Canada live with diabetes. This indicates a high chance of diabetic foot complications. This article evaluates how foot health is impacted by diabetes.
Why Does Diabetes Affect Foot Health?
This refers to diabetic neuropathy, which is the damage to nerves that is caused by a high blood sugar level. Peripheral vascular disease is a progressive circulation disorder that is caused by blockage in the blood vessels. This can be caused when you get physical injury to limbs.
A high blood sugar level leads to damaged nerves, which results in loss of sensation. Hence, you can feel numbness in your feet. Normal blood flow is reduced when you are suffering from diabetes. This accounts for an increased risk of infection. Here are some common diabetic foot health symptoms.
| Symptom | Description | Possible Underlying Cause | Why It’s Concerning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbness or Tingling | Loss of sensation or “pins and needles” feeling in feet. | Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage from high blood sugar). | Increases risk of unnoticed cuts, burns, or injuries. |
| Burning or Sharp Pain | Persistent or shooting pain, often worse at night. | Nerve inflammation or compression due to diabetes. | May indicate progressing neuropathy requiring prompt care. |
| Dry, Cracked Skin | Rough, flaky skin, especially on heels and soles. | Reduced oil and sweat gland function due to nerve damage. | Cracks can lead to infections if not treated. |
| Slow-Healing Sores or Ulcers | Wounds take longer to close or reappear frequently. | Poor blood circulation and impaired healing. | Can lead to severe infections or gangrene if untreated. |
| Swelling (Edema) | Puffy or enlarged feet and ankles. | Circulatory issues, infection, or kidney complications. | May signal heart or kidney stress linked to diabetes. |
| Color Changes (Red, Blue, or Pale Skin) | Uneven skin tone or dark patches on toes and soles. | Reduced blood flow or tissue damage. | Could indicate poor circulation or developing ulcers. |
| Foot Deformities | Changes in shape — e.g., hammertoes, claw toes, Charcot foot. | Muscle and joint damage from neuropathy. | Leads to uneven pressure points and ulcer risks. |
| Loss of Hair on Toes or Feet | Thinning or missing hair growth on lower legs or toes. | Reduced blood flow to the skin. | Early sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD). |
| Fungal Infections (Toenails or Skin) | Thickened nails, itchiness, scaling between toes. | High moisture and blood sugar levels promote fungal growth. | Can worsen into bacterial infections if ignored. |
Table 1: Common diabetic foot symptoms
Common Foot Issues
Here are some of the common foot issues that can be caused due to diabetes.
- Tingling: This is a feeling of sensation, which feels like needles in the feet. This is not so severe, but it should not be left untreated. You can manage it by massage and gentle exercises.
- Burning: Burning refers to a consistent pain in the feet, which can be caused by high blood sugar level. This is moderately severe, but you must not ignore it. Soaking the feet in cold water can provide temporary relief but following the necessary treatment for diabetes is important.
- Cracked skin: This is rough skin, which is common among the diabetic patients. Well, this disease is not so severe. This can be managed by applying moisturising ointment.
- Swelling: Swelling is an abnormal buildup of fluid in feet. This is moderately severe, but can create trouble while walking. You can manage it by lowering salt intake, using compression socks, and performing gentle exercises.
- Discoloration: This refers to a change in the colour of the feet (pale, red, or blue). The severity of this disease varies as red or blue indicates moderate severity but black or brown colour is highly severe. The probable treatments are topical medications and laser therapy.
- Foot deformities: Foot deformities refer to misaligned bones and joints in the feet. This condition is less severe if it is asymptomatic but it is severe if you find it difficult to walk. This is managed by using specialised footwear and using orthotic devices.
- Hair loss: This refers to less hair or no hair on the legs. This is moderately severe, but controlling blood sugar level is vital. To manage it, medications or atherectomy are suggested.
- Fungal infection: This refers to itching in the skin of the feet. This is highly severe because it hampers leg movement and walking. You need to apply antifungal cream to manage it.
- Diabetic foot ulcers: This refers to open wounds that develop on the bottom of the foot. Around 15% of diabetic patients develop this condition. Due to poor flow of blood, the healing of wounds becomes challenging. This disease is highly severe, and can result in infection. This can be managed by controlling blood sugar level.
What are the Risk Factors that Worsen Foot Complications?
Diabetes and foot problems are very much connected. Early-stage symptoms like numbness or tingling can be bearable, but it is not easy to bear symptoms like ulcers or infections.
Several risk factors can aggravate a foot disease. Well, you can control some factors, but not all of them. Here are some of the controllable and uncontrollable diabetic foot risk factors.
| Category | Risk Factor | Description / Impact | Possible Prevention or Management |
| Controllable Factors | Poor blood sugar control | High glucose levels damage nerves and blood vessels, leading to poor circulation and sensation loss. | Regular monitoring, medication adherence, balanced diet, and exercise. |
| Smoking | Reduces blood flow and oxygen supply to feet, delaying wound healing. | Quit smoking and seek cessation programs. | |
| Improper footwear | Tight or poorly fitted shoes cause pressure points, blisters, and ulcers. | Wear well-fitted, supportive diabetic footwear. | |
| Poor foot hygiene | Increases risk of infections and ulcers. | Daily foot cleaning, moisturizing, and inspection. | |
| Sedentary lifestyle | Reduces circulation and contributes to obesity and poor glucose control. | Engage in regular, doctor-approved physical activity. | |
| Ignoring minor injuries | Small cuts or blisters can develop into ulcers if untreated. | Immediate cleaning and medical attention for any foot wounds. | |
| Uncontrolled cholesterol or blood pressure | Worsens vascular problems and reduces healing capacity. | Regular checkups, medication, and diet management. | |
| Uncontrollable Factors | Duration of diabetes | The longer one has diabetes, the higher the risk of nerve and vessel damage. | Early and consistent diabetes management. |
| Age | Older adults are more prone to circulation issues and slower healing. | Regular screenings and preventive care. | |
| Genetic predisposition | Family history of neuropathy or vascular disease increases susceptibility. | Proactive monitoring and early intervention. | |
| Pre-existing neuropathy | Nerve damage limits sensation, making injuries less noticeable. | Regular foot checks and podiatrist consultations. | |
| Structural foot deformities | Bunions, hammertoes, or flat feet increase pressure points. | Use custom orthotics or corrective footwear. |
Table 2: Controllable and uncontrollable risk factors
People with diabetes can improve their foot health if they take care of the controllable risk factors.
Preventing Foot Issues Before They Occur
Diabetes is a common disease that is present among many people globally. With time, this can result in different foot problems. The above-mentioned risk factors can worsen an issue. Well, following certain strategies can prevent foot challenges before they take place. These include:
Regular Foot Checks and Skincare
Are you suffering from diabetes? Along with taking the needed medicines, you also need to take care of your feet. Check your feet daily for any symptoms (swelling or redness).
If you have cracks or peels, you need to moisturise regularly with creams that are interrelated. contain salicylic acid or urea. You should be serious about nail care. Keep in mind that diabetes and foot problems
Wearing the Right Shoe
Always invest in good shoes. To prevent foot problems before they occur, you need to wear shoes that are supportive from both inside and outside. People with diabetes must not wear tight shoes, high heels, or sandals. You need to prioritise comfort over design.
Avoiding Barefoot Walking
If you have a high blood sugar level, foot health must be your priority. In this case, you must refrain from walking barefoot. You need to consider this even while engaging in any sport. This can be difficult for a runner, but prevention is always better than care.
Scheduling podiatric exams
If you are concerned about diabetic foot health problems, you must prioritise podiatric examination once or twice a year.
Consulting a Podiatrist
You might not need a podiatrist in the early stages of diabetes, but considering this professional is a must after a certain time because of the connection between diabetes and foot problems. Here are certain instances when you must see a podiatrist.
Persistent Tingling
Tingling is a common diabetic foot symptom, which is seen in the early stage. Well, this can be transformed into complicated symptoms with time. You must visit a podiatrist if you have persistent tingling.
Ulcers or Open Wounds
Diabetic foot ulcers are seen in the advanced stage, and they require immediate care. This must not be ignored, and you should visit a podiatrist. Keep this in mind even if you are dealing with any open wound.
Swelling or Discoloration
If you feel swelling in your feet, you need to seek medical help, as it can turn into a serious challenge within a short span. Consulting a podiatrist is also vital in case of any sort of discoloration in the feet.
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail is a painful condition that can hamper the smooth walking of a person. Well, you can experience it if you have diabetes. It’s better to seek a podiatrist so that you do not have to encounter any serious disease afterward.
Treating Diabetic Footcare in Canada
Canada has an advanced healthcare infrastructure, which includes a wide range of health services. You seek qualified and experienced podiatrists for diabetic foot complications.
Government-funded health plans do not offer coverage for routine podiatry services. However, private health insurances cover podiatry services, customised orthotics, footwear modifications, etc.
Final Thoughts
A high level of carefulness is needed to manage diabetes, but you can prevent foot diseases before they occur. Wearing the right footwear and prioritising daily footcare is important here. You need to seek a podiatrist if you have swelling, persistent tingling, or ingrown toenails.
Planning to Prevent Diabetic Foot Health Issues?
Seeking podiatrists’ advice helps to prevent diabetic foot issues before they happen. Self-monitoring prevents any foot disease from becoming serious. We have a skilled team of podiatrists to treat different types of foot diseases. Visit us to obtain noticeable outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are leg cramps and aches common in diabetes?
Yes, you can experience leg cramps and aches if you are suffering from diabetes. You need to visit a foot clinic for that.
2. Can diabetic patients drink alcohol?
Alcohol consumption results in making your blood sugar level high or low, which affects medications. This can lead to any foot health issue. Hence, people with diabetes must not drink alcohol.
3. How can diabetic patients protect their feet in the winter season?
In the winter season, you need to wear warm socks. Avoid warming your feet near a fireplace.
4. How often should people with diabetes get their feet checked?
You need to get your feet checked once a year if you are suffering from diabetes.