Living with diabetes means paying attention to more than blood sugar. Your feet can give early warning signs of circulation problems, nerve changes, and wounds that may need medical care. The challenge is that diabetes can make it harder to feel pain, so a small blister, cut, or sore may go unnoticed.
The team at Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT), led by board-certified interventional radiologist Dr. Goke Akinwande, offers minimally invasive, image-guided care for circulation issues that can affect people with diabetes, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD). In this blog, you’ll learn why daily foot checks matter, what to look for, and when to call a medical provider.
Diabetes and Foot Health: What’s the Connection?
Diabetes can impact the feet in two major ways: nerve damage and poor circulation. Nerve damage, also called diabetic neuropathy, can cause tingling, burning, numbness, or loss of feeling in the feet. Poor circulation can interfere with healing for cuts, ulcers, and sores.
That combination can be serious. A person may step on something sharp, develop a blister from tight shoes, or have a small crack in the skin without feeling it right away. If the wound is not noticed early, it may become infected or turn into a non-healing ulcer.
Why Daily Foot Checks Matter
Checking your feet every day gives you a chance to catch small problems before they become bigger ones. It only takes a few minutes, but it can play an important role in protecting your mobility and long-term health.
Look for:
- Cuts, scrapes, or cracks in the skin
- Blisters or sores
- Redness, swelling, or warmth
- Drainage or odor
- Ingrown toenails
- Corns, calluses, or irritated spots
- Color changes in the toes or feet
- Injuries that are slow to heal
If you have a hard time bending over or balancing, a mirror can help you see the bottoms of your feet more easily.
Signs You Should Not Ignore
Some symptoms may point to circulation problems, including peripheral artery disease, which happens when narrowed arteries decrease blood flow to the legs and feet. Call a provider if you notice:
- A sore that is not healing
- Black, blue, or pale skin on the toes or feet
- New numbness or tingling
- Pain in the legs when walking
- Swelling, warmth, or signs of infection
- A foot injury with drainage
Protect Your Feet and Your Quality of Life
Diabetes foot care is not complicated, but it does require consistency. A daily check can help you spot changes early, seek care sooner, and protect your ability to stay active.
If you have diabetes and are dealing with leg pain, numbness, cramping, or non-healing wounds, Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy in St. Louis, MO, can help evaluate whether poor circulation may be part of the problem. Call 314-255-2204 to schedule an appointment.