…health matters

Diabetes and the Feet

In the UK over 2 million people suffer from diabetes - a chronic disease with no cure caused by a failure in the body to produce or use its own insulin. Insulin is necessary to allow the body to use the sugars in the food we eat.

There are two types of diabetes:

Insulin Dependant or Type I - where no natural insulin in produced, this means insulin injections are required.

Non-Insulin Dependant or Type II - where not enough natural insulin is produced, sometimes a change in diet can be sufficient to counteract this problem if not, tablets are required.

Undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes can lead to multiple and often irreversible health problems including vessel disease, high cholesterol, retinopathy (eye problems), nephropathy (kidney problems) and peripheral neuropathy (numbness in fingers and toes which can be painfull). The feet are particularly at risk.

Once diagnosed as diabetic you should have your feet checked by a podiatrist to assess both the circulation and sensations in the feet. Symptoms of neuropathy include numbness, tingling or burning sensations. The feet may also feel very hot or cold and the shape may change with the toes clawing. Your feet may also feel heavy, less flexible or feel too small in the shoe. Tripping can also be a symptom. Any change of colour in the foot should be treated seriously. The feet should then be re-checked again by the podiatrist at least once per year as diabetes is the singular most common reason for amputation of the lower limb in the UK, many of which could have been prevented with simple routine foot care.

At March Podiatry Practice, our podiatrists can assess your feet and give you detailed advice about footcare, to help reduce the risk of getting foot problems due to your diabetes. We can provide you with an Annual Diabetic Foot Check appointments which is recommended to all diabetics.

Foot Care Tips for People with Diabetes, to help keep your feet healthy.

Check your feet daily by looking and feeling them, if your fingers or eyes are affected get someone else to check for you. If you notice any change in colour or temperature of the skin, shape of the foot or numbness in the feet see a podiatrist immediatley.

Any small cuts should be cleaned and covered as the risk of infection and rate of healing are affected by diabetes.

Never go barefoot, when neuropathy/numbness is present you may stand on something e.g glass and not feel it.

Make sure your footwear fits properly by checking your feet for signs of rubbing or pressure like redness, corns or blisters. Have your feet measured every time you buy new shoes and never wear other people's shoes.

Avoid burns to the legs and feet by testing bath water with the elbow, not sitting to close to a fire or placing hot water bottles on the feet and always turn off electric blankets before getting into bed.