November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of managing diabetes and preventing its complications. Among the many aspects of diabetes management, foot health often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Yet, for people living with diabetes, foot care is critical as diabetes can lead to serious foot issues, including ulcers, infections, and even amputations.
Let’s explore why foot care matters, how you can protect your feet if you’re living with diabetes and how North Devon Footcare can be part of your diabetic foot care.
Why Are Feet at Risk in Diabetes?
Diabetes can cause two major problems that put feet at risk:
Nerve Damage (Neuropathy):Â High blood sugar levels can damage nerves, especially in the feet. This can lead to loss of sensation, making it hard to notice injuries like cuts, blisters, or sores. Without treatment, these minor issues can worsen as the skin of the foot goes through a lot of stress when we are weight bearing.
Musculoskeletal problems:Â Diabetes can cause musculoskeletal issues such as muscle pain, joint pain or stiffness, lessened ability to move joints, joint swelling and deformities. All of which can effect the feet and lower limb and change how we walk, stand and move in general. Over time this can cause pressure to the feet to change and cause the skin to break down.
Poor Circulation:Â Diabetes can also reduce blood flow to the feet, slowing down healing and increasing the risk of infection. Poor circulation makes it harder for your body to fight off minor injuries before they become serious.
Combined, these factors create a dangerous cycle. A small cut or blister can quickly develop into a foot ulcer—an open wound that can lead to severe infections if left untreated.
The Consequences of Foot Ulcers
Foot ulcers are one of the most serious complications of diabetes. They can:
Cause chronic pain and discomfort.
Lead to infections that may spread to other parts of the body.
Sometimes result in amputation if the ulcer does not heal or becomes severely infected.
Globally, diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations. However, most of these cases are preventable with proper care and early intervention.
How to Protect Your Feet
Here are some simple tips to protect your feet and reduce the risk of foot related issues.
1. Daily Foot Checks
Inspect your feet every day, especially if you have reduced sensation. Look for:
Cuts, blisters, or cracks.
Redness or swelling.
Changes in skin color or texture. Use a mirror or ask for help if you can’t see the bottoms of your feet.
2. Keep Your Feet Clean and Moisturised
Wash your feet daily with warm (not hot) water and mild soap.
Dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes, to prevent fungal infections.
Use a moisturiser daily to avoid dry, cracked skin—but avoid putting lotion between the toes.
3. Wear Proper Footwear
Choose comfortable, well-fitting shoes that protect your feet. Wear shoes that have a midfoot fastening and a good solid sole.
Avoid walking barefoot, even indoors, to reduce the risk of cuts or injuries, especially if you suffer from nerve damage.
4. See a Podiatrist Regularly
A podiatrist can provide specialised care and address problems early.
Consider routine foot screenings as part of your diabetes management plan, at least every 6 months.
How Can North Devon Footcare help you?
If you suffer with Diabetes we can help with your feet care at North Devon Footcare.
We now offer a diabetic foot assessment that includes:
·     Visually checking your feet
·     Checking the blood flow and feeling in your feet
·     Asking you about your feet and if you are noticing any changes or pain etc?
·     Use our Footscan technology to assess your foot pressures when both static and walking.
·     Assess your gait using video
From these gait and pressure measurements we can get a fuller picture of your foot health and use this data to provide you with a treatment plan to optimise your foot health and reduce risk of further complications down the line.
Our Footscan system can assess the pressure going through your feet and provide data for trending over time.
Treatment plans can include custom made insoles to reduce pressure on vulnerable areas and reduce ulcer risk. Providing nail care, reducing hard skin, giving personalised advice and monitoring your feet on a regular basis.
Book a diabetic foot assessment here at North Devon footcare and start to prioritise your foot health and reduce your risk of ulceration and further complications.
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