If you live with diabetes, your feet can develop problems long before you notice any pain. High blood sugar can affect both the nerves and the blood vessels in your feet, so a wound may go unfelt while it grows worse underneath. Knowing what to look for, and checking your feet often, is one of the simplest ways to avoid a serious complication.
Your feet often give warning signs long before a wound becomes serious. Here’s what each sign means and why it matters.
A very common early symptom of nerve damage is a pins and needles or burning sensation in the toes. This may progress to numbness over time. After your feet become numb, you may not notice a cut, blister, or object in your shoe. If you notice anything changes, tell your care team, even if it is a small change.
Diabetes can make your skin dry and prone to cracking, especially on the heels and soles. Calluses are also thickened areas of skin that can develop under pressure. Dry or rough skin is a problem that should not be neglected, as it allows germs to enter the body more easily.
Any cut or blister which remains open for 3 or 4 days or more requires attention. Diabetes commonly causes slow healing and increases the risk of infection.
If the redder foot is warmer and more swollen than the other, it may indicate infection or an internal structural change of the foot. Make frequent comparisons between both feet, as this is a common mistake.
A fungal infection or tight-fitting shoes may cause thick, discoloured, or ingrown nails. Numb feet cannot feel pain from an ingrown nail, so be alert and watch for these changes.
A new bump, a new sore spot, or a flat arch may be a symptom of Charcot foot, a condition in which the foot bones are weakened. Altering the shape can create new pressure points, increasing the risk of sores.
If one foot feels colder than the other, it may be due to poor circulation on one side. Keep an eye out for this, as well as cramping or slow healing in the same foot.
If a sore is leaking, foul-smelling, or has a dark rim, it is likely already infected. No need to wait for the next appointment; same-day care is better.
If your calves cramp while walking but not when resting, it’s a sign of poor circulation in your legs. This can be mistaken for simple fatigue, so it’s important to bring it to your health care team’s attention.
The skin between your toes stays moist and is easy to miss during a quick check. Redness, peeling, or a sore in this area can point to a fungal infection or a spot where two toes are rubbing together. Since it’s hidden from view, this area needs a closer look, not just a glance at the top of your foot.
Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you have to wait until a problem becomes serious. At Fabulous Foot Care, we focus on identifying early warning signs before they lead to complications. Our diabetic foot care services include thorough foot assessments, skin and nail care, callus management, circulation and sensation checks, and personalized advice to help you protect your feet every day.
Whether you’ve noticed numbness, slow-healing wounds, changes in your skin or nails, or simply want a routine diabetic foot examination, our experienced foot care professionals are here to provide compassionate, preventative care. Early treatment and regular foot checks can significantly reduce the risk of infection, ulcers, and other diabetes-related foot complications.
If the wound is leaking, has a foul odour, appears to be blackening, or when combined with a temperature, it should be considered an urgent problem and care should be sought immediately. Several days of delay may be enough to turn a minor wound into a serious infection.
Book a foot check today if you’ve noticed any of these signs, or simply want peace of mind about your foot health.
Our new clinic is now open inside Revital Physio & Massage Legacy.
Same trusted foot care from Mayur — now closer to you in south Calgary.
