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What are the different types of foot problems in people with diabetes?
Why do people with diabetes have problems with the feet?
Is diabetic foot a symptom of diabetes mellitus?
Aug 1, 2024 · What are the most common diabetic foot problems? Open sores, called diabetic foot ulcers, are a common issue. They're most likely to happen where your feet or toes rub against your shoes.
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- Caring for Your Feet With Diabetes
- Overview
- Symptoms and Causes
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Management and Treatment
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- Outlook / Prognosis
- Living With
Some people with diabetes develop numbness in the feet or poor blood flow. That can make it difficult to notice blisters, sores and cuts. Undetected and untreated wounds can quickly become infected, leading to complications and sometimes amputation. There are many strategies to protect your from wounds and infection.
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What causes diabetes-related foot conditions?
Long-term high blood sugar can cause a type of nerve damage called diabetes-related neuropathy. Diabetes-related neuropathy can occur throughout the body, but most often in the legs and feet. The condition might make you lose feeling in your feet. If your feet are numb, you might not notice a blister, cut or sore. You might not even feel a pebble in your sock that is cutting your foot, for example. Wounds that go unnoticed and untreated can become infected. Diabetes can also affect blood flow to your legs and feet. People with diabetes are more likely to develop peripheral artery disease (PAD). This condition causes arteries to become narrowed or blocked. Reduced blood flow (poor circulation) can make it difficult for a diabetes-related foot ulcer or infection to heal.
What are the symptoms of diabetes-related neuropathy?
The signs of diabetes-related neuropathy may include: Darkened skin on the affected area. Diminished ability to sense hot or cold. Loss of hair in the area. Numbness. Pain. Tingling. If diabetes-related neuropathy leads to foot ulcers, symptoms to watch out for include: Any changes to the skin or toenails, including cuts, blisters, calluses or sores. Discharge of fluid or pus. Foul smell. Pain. Redness. Skin discoloration. Swelling. Advertisement
How are diabetes-related foot conditions diagnosed?
To diagnose diabetes-related foot conditions, a healthcare provider will: Ask about your symptoms and how well you’re managing blood glucose. Examine your toes, feet and legs. Touch the toes, feet and legs with various tools to check whether you have numbness. If a diabetes-related ulcer or blister is present, the healthcare provider will likely: Examine it for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, discoloration or discharge. Order tests to take pictures deeper than the skin, such as X-ray or MRI. Take a sample of the skin or discharge to test for infection.
How are diabetes-related foot ulcers treated?
Care for diabetes-related foot pain may involve a doctor who specializes in the feet, called a podiatrist. Treatment may include: Cleaning the wound. Draining any fluid or pus from the ulcer. Removing or cutting away dead or infected tissue (called debridement). Applying special bandages and ointments to absorb extra fluid, protect the wound and help it heal. Prescribing a wheelchair or crutches to take weight off the affected foot (called offloading). Prescribing oral or IV antibiotics to manage and eliminate infection. Depending on how severe the infection is, your healthcare provider may recommend hospitalization. Sometimes amputation is necessary to prevent infection from spreading to other parts of the body. Care at Cleveland Clinic Diabetes Care Make an Appointment
How can I reduce my risk of diabetes-related foot pain?
To avoid hyperglycemia and diabetes-related neuropathy, you should manage blood sugar carefully. You can also reduce the risk of diabetes-related foot problems by: Checking your feet every day for any changes. Don’t forget to look between your toes. Ask someone for help or use a mirror if needed. Getting your feet checked at every visit with a healthcare provider. Keeping your toenails trimmed and filed. Cut them straight across to prevent ingrown toenails. Maintaining blood flow to the feet. For example, keep your feet elevated when you sit, and wiggle your toes often. Stay active, but choose activities that are gentler on the feet, such as walking or swimming. Putting cornstarch or talcum powder between the toes to prevent moisture buildup. Smoothing any corns or calluses. Wearing socks and shoes (or slippers) all day. Make sure your socks aren’t too tight and that your shoes fit properly. Some people with diabetes wear therapeutic shoes or shoe inserts to help prevent wounds or sores. Washing your feet every day in warm water, not hot. Dry them thoroughly afterward, including between the toes. Then apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of the feet, but not between the toes. It’s just as important to avoid certain things. Don’t: Cut calluses or corns or apply chemicals. Smoke. Soak your feet. Walk around barefoot. Wear tight socks or shoes.
What is the outlook for people with diabetes-related foot conditions?
Diabetes-related foot ulcers are fairly common in people who have had diabetes for a long time. Even with foot checks and careful blood glucose monitoring, some people with diabetes develop infections. The outlook depends on factors such as: How early the wound was found. Presence of infection and how much it spreads. Treatment effectiveness. If the infection can’t be managed and spreads too far, amputation may be necessary.
When should I seek medical care for diabetes-related foot pain?
If you have diabetes, tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience: Any changes in foot shape. Any changes to the skin on the feet, including a wound, redness or darkness, warmth or a funny smell. Hair loss on your toes, feet or legs. Loss of feeling in the toes, feet or legs. Pain, tingling, burning or cramping in the feet or legs. Thick, yellow toenails.
What other conditions can affect the feet of people with diabetes?
People with diabetes also can develop Charcot foot, a rare complication that can cause permanent deformity. In Charcot foot, nerve damage weakens the bones and joints. The bones can break, and the joints can dislocate or collapse. Read more about preventing diabetes complications. A note from Cleveland Clinic People with diabetes are at risk for ulcers and infections, which may go unnoticed in people with diabetes-related neuropathy and numbness. If you have diabetes, it’s important to care for your feet every day and report any problems to your healthcare provider. Early treatment can prevent hospitalization, deformity and amputation. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/26/2021. Learn more about our editorial process.
Oct 30, 2023 · Diabetic foot, a condition of foot problems linked to diabetes mellitus, is common among people with diabetes. These problems can occur in one or both feet due to type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Symptoms associated with diabetic foot can occur over time.
- Check your feet every day. You may have foot problems, but feel no pain in your feet. Checking your feet each day will help you spot problems early before they get worse.
- Wash your feet every day. Wash your feet with soap in warm, not hot, water. Test the water to make sure it is not too hot. You can use a thermometer (90° to 95° F is safe) or your elbow to test the warmth of the water.
- Smooth corns and calluses gently. Thick patches of skin called corns or calluses can grow on the feet. If you have corns or calluses, talk with your foot doctor about the best way to care for these foot problems.
- Trim your toenails straight across. Trim your toenails, when needed, after you wash and dry your feet. Using toenail clippers, trim your toenails straight across.
Feb 14, 2023 · Diabetes can cause serious foot problems that can result in foot or limb loss, deformity, and infection. However, a person can prevent or minimize many of these problems.
Nov 17, 2022 · Learn more about diabetes related foot problems. For people with diabetes, too much glucose in the blood can cause serious foot complications such as nerve damage, infection, and ulcers. Find tips for proper foot care to help prevent serious complications.
Feb 17, 2021 · 1. Diabetic neuropathy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of people living with diabetes will develop some kind of diabetic neuropathy or nerve...
