Foot problems are among the most frequent and serious health complications in people with diabetes. When you or someone you know has diabetes, you get afraid of losing a toe, foot, or leg due to severe infections or hidden conditions. However, you can lower your chances of having diabetic foot by taking care of your feet. You need to manage your blood glucose levels, also known as blood sugar, to keep your feet healthy.
Diabetic Neuropathy
It is a type of nerve damage that happens with diabetes. Blood sugar, also known as glucose, becomes high when you have diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar levels can injure your nerves throughout the body.
Diabetic neuropathy usually damages nerves in the legs and feet. The symptoms can include pain and numbness in the legs or feet, depending on the nerves affected. It can also cause problems with your digestive system, blood vessels, urinary tract, and heart. Most people have mild symptoms. But for others, the problems can be painful and even disabling.
Diabetic neuropathy is a serious health concern that can affect almost half of the people with diabetes. The symptoms can depend on the type of diabetic neuropathy you have and which nerve is affected.
Peripheral Arterial Disease and Poor Circulation
Another major contributor to diabetic foot problems is poor blood circulation. It is often caused by peripheral arterial disease. Diabetes can damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the feet. It becomes difficult for the wounds to heal and increases the risk of infections.
Reduced circulation reduces the tissues of oxygen and nutrients needed for healing, which makes even small injuries become severe. Poor blood circulation also increases the chances of tissue damage and severe complications such as gangrene. When it is combined with neuropathy, the risk of serious foot issues rises because patients may not feel injuries when their bodies struggle to heal.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
A diabetic foot ulcer can occur in people with poorly controlled diabetes for a long time. It usually appears as an open sore or wound on the bottom of the foot. Around 15% of people with diabetes can develop a foot ulcer during their lifetime. Among them, around 14-24% of people may need an amputation if wounds are severely infected.
Diabetic foot ulcers can develop due to three major problems.
- Nerve damage (neuropathy): It reduces the ability to feel pain or injury in the feet.
- Poor blood circulation: It slows down healing and limits the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
- Infection: It occurs when small injuries or trauma to the foot are not noticed or treated on time.
The diabetic foot ulcers can be treated with proper wound care and medical treatments. These can lower the risk of disability, amputations, and prevent deaths related to severe foot infections.
Dry, Cracked Skin
Dry skin is a condition that appears on the soles and heels of the foot. It can cause hardened skin and lead to cracks. Dry skin is not a dangerous condition, but it can become uncomfortable or painful. If those cracks start to bleed, it can lead to infection, which is particularly concerning for those with a chronic disease like diabetes.
The condition is generally spotted as red or flaky patches. The cracked skin will be itchy. If you have the same problems, you also need to check for blistering around your toes. The problem is most likely athlete’s foot.
Corns and Calluses
These are the hard or thick areas of the skin that can be quite painful. They are not often serious, but if you have diabetes, you need to see a foot specialist to treat the problem. Corns and calluses are caused by pressure or rubbing of the skin on the feet. It usually happens from wearing high heels, uncomfortable shoes, not wearing socks with shoes, and lifting heavy weights. A podiatrist can cut away the corns or callus. They also provide patches to soften the hard skin so it can be removed more easily.
Ingrown Toenail
Ingrown toenail or Onychocryptosis is a very common pathology of the toenail unit that usually impacts adolescents and young adults. The ingrown toenail can cause disabling complaints like infection, pain, and difficulty walking. If left untreated, it can result in discomfort, pain, and even disability.
An ingrown nail occurs when the skin on one or both sides of the nail grows over the nail edges or when the nail itself grows into the nail fold, which damages the skin. You can be at risk for an ingrown toenail if:
- You cut your toenails too short, especially at the sides of the big toes.
- When you shape or round the corners of the toenails when trimming.
- When the corners are tapered to match the curve of the toe, the nail can grow into the skin or straight out.
Foot Deformities
Foot deformities are the abnormal changes in the shape of the toes, arches, or bottom of the feet. It increases your risk of diabetic foot complications such as infections, ulcers, and pain. Poorly controlled blood sugar can damage the foot nerves and weaken the muscles that lead to foot deformities.
A high-arched foot and clawing of the toes in people with diabetes develop from weakened foot muscles. It occurs because diabetes affects the nerves that supply sensation and movement to the foot muscles.
Charcot foot is again a severe condition affecting the foot and ankle in people with diabetic neuropathy. People may not remember any significant trauma, but they may continue walking on the injured foot, which can cause the bones to weaken, fracture, and collapse.
To Wrap Up
Foot Problems are the major complications of diabetes and can impact the quality of life if left untreated. Some conditions, such as ulcers, poor blood circulation, infections, skin changes, and nail disorders, can develop gradually but can be affected severely if not taken care of. Regular foot checkups, good blood glucose control, right footwear, and quick medical attention for any abnormalities are essential to prevent severe conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the First Signs of Diabetic Feet?
You experience poor circulation, nerve damage, numbness, burning, tingling, or sharp pain, cracked skin, blisters that don’t heal, redness, swelling, or discoloration.
What Part of the Foot Hurts When You Have Diabetes?
Foot and toe ulcers hurt the most when you have diabetes.
