Avoid Foot Complications from Diabetes

If you have diabetes, taking good care of your feet is critical. Foot complications affect more than 20 percent of patients treated with diabetes and the American Diabetes Association reports that similarly 20 percent of patients with diabetes are hospitalized because of foot problems.[1] Among common foot complications are:

Neuropathy: One of the complications of diabetes is neuropathy, which is damage or dysfunction to one or more nerves. Neuropathy can result in tingling, muscle weakness and pain in your feet. The CDC estimates about half of all people with diabetes have some kind of nerve damage, with damage to nerves in feet and legs most often affected.[2]

Neuropathy also can cause numbness so that you might not feel a foot injury, cut or even a blister that could result in an ulcer. Foot ulcers are a considerable problem for people with diabetes. They can become infected, often leading to hospitalization. Poor blood flow, another complication of diabetes, also contributes to the potential for foot ulcers. Once peripheral neuropathy develops. the annual incidence of ulcer formation increases from less than one percent to greater than 7%.[3]

Skin changes: Diabetes can cause your skin to become very dry. High blood glucose levels may cause greater loss of fluid from the body leading to dry skin on the legs, elbows, feet, and other areas. In fact, dry skin may be the first sign someone has diabetes. Additionally, nerve damage due to diabetic neuropathy can disrupt proper signaling to sweat glands in the feet, contributing to skin dryness. Left untreated, dry skin can lead to infections. [4]

Calluses: Calluses on the feet are common if you have diabetes because of high-pressure areas under the foot. If not trimmed, calluses can get thick, break down and turn into ulcers and infection.[5]

Poor Circulation: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a complication of diabetes. It reduces blood flow to the feet, can further delay healing of wounds as well as increase your risk of foot infection.[6]

Amputation: Whether from neuropathy or PAD, which causes you to not feel your feet, ulcers and infections occur. Left untreated, they can lead to amputation.  

Daily foot care

Check your feet daily for:

• Dry and cracked skin
• Blisters or sores
• Bruises or cuts
• Redness, warmth, or tenderness (often absent because of nerve damage)
• Firm or hard spots

Exercise Carefully: If you are suffering from diabetic foot symptoms, do the right exercises that will not increase the risk of injury. Feet friendly exercises include walking, swimming and even bike riding. You also want to keep the blood flowing in your feet. Several times a day, when you are sitting put your feet up, wiggle your toes and move your ankles. Avoid crossing your legs for long periods of time. [7]

Consider special footwear: Structurally, diabetic shoes are designed to prevent pressure on the feet. A wider toe width or “toe box” gives toes more room to move to help prevent blisters and hot spots that can develop when toes rub against each other or against the shoe.  Diabetic shoes also may have extra depth for a pressure-free fit. Diabetic shoes feature lightweight, cushioning soles to facilitate mobility and stability and reduce impacts on the feet. [8] They also help restrict air flow inside, which helps prevent moisture that can cause bacteria to grow. [9]

Prevent dry skin: By keeping your skin moisturized, you keep it more flexible and less prone to cracks that can lead to infections. EASE-Z Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Foot Cream is an over-the-counter offering that uniquely feature active Zinc Acetate to relieve and protect dry, cracked skin associated with diabetes. The product covers the skin with a thick protective layer that penetrates to provide real, long lasting-relief.  It is unscented and non-greasy for added comfort. Daily use gives superior recovery and continuous relief, assuring long-lasting comfort. Learn more about Ease-Z.

To prevent serious foot complications, The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends have a foot exam once a year and more often if you have problems.

[1] OrthoInfo, “Care of the Diabetic Foot,” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,” Accessed May 26, 2024. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/care-of-the-diabetic-foot

[2] “Your Feet and Diabetes,” CDC, Accessed May 26, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-complications/diabetes-and-your-feet.html

[3] “Diabetic Food Infections,” STATPearls, Accessed May 26, 2024, 2023. https://www.statpearls.com/articlelibrary/viewarticle/20441/

[4] “How to Manage Early Stage Dry Feet Diabetes: Tips for Healthy Skin and Bood Sugar Control, Modern Foot & Ankle, April 8, 2024. https://www.modernfootankle.com/resources/foot-care/guides/early-stage-dry-feet-diabetes

[5] “Foot Complications,” American Diabetes Association, Accessed May 26, 2024. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications/foot-complications

[6] OrthoInfo, “Care of the Diabetic Foot”

[7] Reviewed by Dansinger, Michael, “Diabetic Foot Problems,” WebMD, June 22, 2021. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/foot-problems

[8] Gershman, Steven, “The Difference Between Diabetic Shoes and Regular Shoes, OrthoFeet, February 4, 2019. https://www.orthofeet.com/blogs/news/the-difference-between-diabetic-shoes-and-regular-shoes

[9] Burns, Jasmine, “Diabetes Shoes: How to Find the Right Diabetic Shoes,” The Diabetes Council.com, Accessed May 26, 2024. https://www.thediabetescouncil.com/best-shoes-for-diabetes/