Saturday 28 January 2023

How can diabetes affect the feet?


Diabetes, especially poorly controlled diabetes, can cause nerve damage and poor circulation. This can lead to foot ulcers, blisters, pain, and foot infections.

In some cases, the damage can be severe. Infections in the feet can spread, damaging other organs and even becoming life threatening. Severe foot infections may mean a doctor has to amputate the foot.

While most people with diabetes do not develop severe foot complications, diabetes remains a leading cause of amputations.

Diabetes is usually caused byTrusted Source insulin deficiency (type 1 diabetes) or insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes). Insulin is an essential hormone responsible for helping cells absorb sugar from the blood to use for energy.

When this process does not work correctly, sugar remains circulating in the blood, causing health problems.

Prolonged periods of high sugar levels in the blood can cause nerve damage and circulation problems, which can injure the feet.

In this article, we look at foot problems that can occur in people with unmanaged or poorly managed diabetes and discuss how to prevent and manage these effects.

Diabetic neuropathy

People with diabetes have a higher risk of peripheral vascular disease (PVD)Trusted Source, especially if they do not take their medication or have difficulty controlling blood sugar. PVD occurs when fatty deposits narrow the blood vessels, reducing circulation.

PVD tends to affect blood vessels leading to and from the extremities, such as the hands and feet, reducing blood flow to both. Reduced blood flow can lead to pain, infection, and wounds that heal slowly.

Over time, peripheral vascular disease can cause nerve damage that leads to numbnessTrusted Source in the feet. This can make it hard for people with diabetes to feel sensations in their extremities. High blood sugar also damages the nerves and interferes with their ability to send signals.

The condition also makes it difficult for a person with diabetes to feel irritation, soreness, or infection in the feet. A person may not notice when their shoes are rubbing. This lack of sensation can increase the risk of cuts, sores, and blisters. It can also delay treatment for an infection, since a person may not realize they have one.

Blisters

Diabetic ulcers

Diabetic calluses

Foot infections

Amputation

Death

Nonsurgical treatment

Surgical treatment

  • Preventing foot problems is essential for people who have diabetes. Keeping feet healthy is critical, and a person should be vigilant about foot hygiene. An individual can take the following steps:

    • Check the feet each day: Examine the feet daily or ask someone to check for any changes or injuries.
    • Wash the feet daily: Keep the feet clean to prevent infections.
    • Wear supportive shoes and socks: Protect the feet in socks and shoes at all times. A podiatrist may recommend special shoes to help prevent deformities. Do not apply socks so tightly that they restrict blood flow.
    • Promote blood flow to the feet: Put the feet up when sitting, wiggle the toes periodically, and get enough exercise. These actions help promote healthy blood flow to the feet.
    • Trim nails carefully: Trim toenails straight across and keep them short. Rounded nails can grow inward, leading to infection.
    • Care for corns and bunions: Treat corns and bunions carefully. Never shave corns, as this increases the risk of infection.
    • Protect feet from extreme temperatures: Exposure to extreme hot and cold can damage the feet of people with diabetes.
    • Receive regular examinations on the feet: Regular examinations by a doctor are key to preventing infections, amputations, and severe deformities.
    • Control blood sugar: Uncontrolled blood sugars increase the risk of podiatric complications from diabetes.
    • Avoid smoking: Smoking adversely affects blood flow to the tissues, making foot problems worse in people with diabetes.

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