Over time, poorly managed diabetes can cause nerve damage, otherwise known as diabetic neuropathy. This damage can cause tingling and pain in your feet and can lead to a loss of sensation, which is when other problems can arise. If you lose sensation in your feet, you won’t be able to feel things such as pebbles in your shoes or a blister on your foot, which can lead to cuts and sores which can become infected.
Diabetes can also affect your blood flow. If you have cuts or sores on your feet, your blood flow to these areas will be lowered, which means they’ll take longer to heal. If a cut or sore doesn’t heal, it can result in gangrene. In this -case your doctor will refer you to hospital to have the infected tissue removed, but in extreme cases, gangrene can result in skin grafts and sometimes amputation.
Spend a few minutes each day examining your feet. Look out for:
- Cuts and sores
- Fluid-filled blisters and swelling
- Ingrown toenails, where the edge of your nail is growing into the skin
- Athletes foot
- Warm spots
Take the time to treat these problems as they arise rather than leaving them. Most are easily resolved with a bandage or some over the counter treatment, but if the problem becomes consistent, then you can contact your GP or pharmacist for further support.
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Leicester
Leicestershire
LE2 6UP