Diabetes and your feet: How to care for your foot health

Taking care of your feet is an important part of managing diabetes.

Knowing what to look for and having regular checks with your healthcare team can help you stay ahead of any changes and support long-term foot health.

Diabetes can affect foot health in several ways.¹

Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels, reducing circulation in the feet and slowing healing.

It can also affect nerves in the feet, reducing sensation. This means cuts, blisters or sores may not always be noticed early. Nerve changes can also affect balance and movement.

If foot problems are left untreated, they can lead to serious complications, including amputation.²

Regular foot checks at home and routine visits with a podiatrist can help detect changes early and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

If you’re living with diabetes, it’s recommended you see a podiatrist for an annual check, or more frequently depending on your level of risk.

Checking your feet¹ daily can help you spot changes early, before they become more serious.

It can help to do this after a shower or when getting dressed. If you have difficulty seeing your feet, ask someone you trust to help.

1. Take a seat: sitting somewhere comfortable and well lit, look at the tops, sides and undersides of your feet. If you can, put your foot on the opposite knee so that you can see the undersole of your foot. Check between each toe.
2. Have a good look: simply looking at your feet every day can make it easier to recognise any changes early on. Look for any broken skin, red spots, cracks, blisters, sores or sore spots, making sure to check carefully between each toe. Swelling, redness, ulcers or heat can all be signs of infection.
3. Stand up: how do your feet feel when you are standing up? Is there any pain, discomfort or numbness in your toes, heel or ball of the feet? Do you feel any cramps in your feet or lower legs when you stand or walk? These can all be signs of infection.

See a doctor immediately if you have any pain, redness, swelling or heat in your feet, or if a cut or blister is not healing.

Simple ways to care for your feet every day include:

• Avoid smoking, as it can affect circulation and healing
• Stay active, as walking supports blood flow
• Wash and dry your feet well, especially between the toes
• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes
• Avoid tight socks or stockings
• Trim toenails straight across and smooth edges
• Avoid direct heat on your feet
• Don’t try to treat corns or calluses yourself; see a podiatrist

A few minutes each day looking after your feet, plus regular check-ups, can help you pick up changes early and avoid bigger problems down the track.