Diabetes and Foot Problems

• Introduction
• How can diabetes affect my feet?
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Peripheral vascular disease
• What are some common foot problems of people with diabetes?
• Athlete's foot
• Fungal infection of nails
• Calluses
• Corns
• Blisters
• Bunions
• Dry skin
• Foot ulcers
• Hammertoes
• Ingrown toenails
• Planter warts
• Can these foot problems be prevented?
• When should I contact my doctor?

Introduction

For people with diabetes, having too much glucose (sugar) in their blood for a long time can cause some serious complications, including foot problems.

How Can Diabetes Affect My Feet?

Diabetes can cause two problems that can affect your feet.

Diabetic neuropathy

Uncontrolled diabetes can damage your nerves. If you have damaged nerves in your legs and feet, you might not feel heat, cold, or pain. This lack of feeling is called "sensory diabetic neuropathy." If you do not feel a cut or sore on your foot because of neuropathy, the cut could get worse and become infected. The muscles of the foot may not function properly because the nerves that make the muscles work are damaged. This could cause the foot to not align properly and create too much pressure in one area of the foot. It is estimated that up to 10% of people will develop foot ulcers. Foot ulcers occur because of nerve damage and peripheral vascular disease.

Peripheral vascular disease

Diabetes also affects the flow of blood. Without good blood flow, it takes longer for a sore or cut to heal. Poor blood flow in the arms and legs is called "peripheral vascular disease." Peripheral vascular disease is a circulation disorder that affects blood vessels away from the heart. If you have an infection that will not heal because of poor blood flow, you are at risk for developing ulcers or gangrene (the death of tissue due to a lack of blood).

What Are Some Common Foot Problems of People With Diabetes?

Anyone can get the foot problems listed below. For people with diabetes, however, these common foot problems can possibly lead to infection and serious complications, such as amputation.

Next: Athlete's foot »

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