Diabetic Foot Care

Feet and Diabetes

Diabetes can cause your arteries to narrow, or harden, reducing blood flow. It can also damage your peripheral nerves. Since your feet are so far away from your heart and brain, they are easily affected by peripheral artery disease and peripheral neuropathy.

Each disease poses its own set of issues. If your feet don’t receive the necessary blood circulation due to peripheral artery disease, you will likely experience foot pain, leg weakness, and extreme cold. You may even develop gangrene, a serious issue that can cause loss of limb.

Peripheral neuropathy prevents you from feeling any sensation in your feet. You may not feel when your feet get injured and you may not have a good sense of your foot placement while walking or standing. This can cause injuries to go undetected and worsen over time.

Other problems you may face include bunions, calluses, infections, sores, and ingrown toenails. These are often caused by your shoe rubbing against your foot, thanks to decreased oil production and lubrication.