Diabetes can cause nerve damage (also known as diabetes peripheral neuropathy - DPN) and poor blood flow or circulation to the legs and feet (also known as peripheral arterial disease - PAD). As a result, people with diabetes are less likely to feel a foot injury, such as a blister or cut. Diabetes can make these injuries more difficult to heal. Unnoticed and untreated, even small foot injuries can quickly become infected, potentially leading to serious complications.

You should have your health care professional check your feet at each visit, but in the interim, you need to know the signs of trouble. 

Signs Of Foot Problems

• Painful, tingling or numb feet
• Feet feel like locks of wood
• Feet changing shape
• One foot is significantly different from the other
• Dry, Calloused or cracked feet
• Sores and blisters for no apparent reason

What You Can Do

• Control your blood glucose levels
• Get your health care provider to trim your toe nails and any callouses
• Have your shoes professionally fitted
• Avoid too much walking
• Wash a sore or blister with warm water, dry properly, cover with a bandage and see your health care professional today
• Start a Nutrition Therapy designed to treat Neuropathy.  

Find out what you need to know about diabetes complications HERE and the latest information about neuropathy treatments.