Diabetic Foot Summary If you have diabetes, your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Over time, this can damage your nerves or blood vessels. Nerve damage from diabetes can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. You may not feel a cut, a blister or a sore. Foot injuries such as these can cause ulcers and infections. Serious cases may even lead to amputation. Damage to the blood vessels can also mean that your feet do not get enough blood and oxygen. It is harder for your foot to heal, if you do get a sore or infection. You can help avoid foot problems. First, control your blood sugar levels. Good foot hygiene is also crucial: Check your feet every day Wash your feet every day Keep the skin soft and smooth Smooth corns and calluses gently If you can see, reach, and feel your feet, trim your toenails regularly. If you cannot, ask a foot doctor (podiatrist) to trim them for you. Wear shoes and socks at all times Protect your feet from hot and cold Keep the blood flowing to your feet NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Find an Expert American Diabetes Association American Diabetes Association Directory of Diabetes Organizations National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Find an Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle MD/DO American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Related Issues Charcot Foot American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Cracked Heels American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Diabetic Neuropathy National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Shoes and Orthotics for Diabetics American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Diabetic Foot National Institutes of Health Array Diabetes – foot ulcers Diabetes – taking care of your feet Foot amputation – discharge Leg or foot amputation – dressing change Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime: a Booklet for People with Diabetes National Diabetes Education Program Living With Diabetes: Good Diabetes Management and Regular Foot Care Help Prevent Severe Foot Sores Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Diabetic Foot and Risk: How to Prevent Losing Your Leg American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Diabetic Neuropathy: What is a Total Contact Cast? American Academy of Family Physicians Diabetic Wound Care American Podiatric Medical Association Images Diabetic Ulcer (Neurogenic Ulcer) Logical Images Start Here Foot Care in Diabetes Mellitus (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Living With Diabetes: Foot Care American Diabetes Association Living with Diabetes: Foot Complications American Diabetes Association Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Feet Healthy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Statistics and Research Patient Access to Research American Diabetes Association Journal Articles Diabetic Foot
