Nerve damage occurs when a person has had diabetes for a long time. It is more common in men than in women, and seems to occur more in people who've had problems controlling their blood sugar. If you have nerve damage, you may not notice when your feet are injured. Nerve damage can also cause feet to become misshapen, creating painful pressure points that can develop ulcers over time. Diabetes can cause blood vessels to become hard and narrow, leading to poor circulation. Injuries cannot heal when blood flow is blocked. High blood sugar levels can make people with diabetes more prone to bacterial and fungal infections.
Combine these with even the tiniest cut or blister and you can have serious trouble. There will be over 50,000 foot and leg amputations this year caused by complications from diabetes. These conditions are largely preventable. You can avoid them by keeping your blood glucose under control, sticking to a good diet and exercise plan, and taking medicines exactly as your doctor tells you.
Signs of diabetes-related foot problems include feet that tingle, burn or hurt, are changing in shape, or have changes in color or temperature. You may lose hair on your feet, toes and lower legs, or you may notice a loss of sensation to touch or temperature. Also watch for dry cracked skins, sores that aren't healing, ulcers, and fungal infections between your toes and on your toenails. If you currently have or have a history of any of these symptoms, see your physician or podiatrist immediately! It could save your feet.
People at high risk for foot problems need to have their feet examined by a doctor AT LEAST four times a year. To help your physician remember, take off your shoes and socks in the examining room. He will check for loss of feeling, pulses (circulation), and look carefully for tiny injuries or irritated places.
You'll also need to do a home foot inspection each day. You (or a family member or friend if you can't see well) should check your entire foot - top, bottom, back, sides and in between your toes. If you have trouble bending over to see all angles of your feet, use an
