Last week, a diabetic patient came into our office with what he thought was a simple callous. But what Dr. Andrew Schneider discovered during his exam was a problem that could have cost him his foot. Shockingly, the man had no idea he was even at risk! So, in today’s post, we’re sharing 5 surprising—and possibly limb-saving—foot problems diabetics can’t ignore!
Foot Problems Diabetics Can’t Ignore ![podiatrist examining a foot]()
Here are the five warning signs your diabetic feet needs you to heed immediately, before it’s too late to save your limbs!
1. Neuropathy
This is a trick warning sign because it doesn’t cause pain. In fact, peripheral neuropathy does just the opposite, causing numbness in your feet. But it’s not just simple numbness, like when your foot falls asleep. Instead, diabetic neuropathy starts gradually, often beginning with tingling or burning sensations in your toes. Many people dismiss these early symptoms, thinking their feet or tired or their shoes are too tight. But here’s the critical part. These sensations are actually your nerves crying out for help before they stop working altogether.
Think of it like a cell phone losing its signal. First, you get those warning bars. Then calls start dropping and, finally…nothing. Once you lose that signal—or, in your case, sensation—you’ve lost your body’s natural warning system. Without it, you could have a serious injury and never know it. We’ve seen patients unknowingly walk on broken bones because they couldn’t feel the pain! That’s why checking your feet daily becomes absolutely critical when you have diabetes. Be a detective and look for any changes in sensation level…and, above all, don’t ignore those early warning signs!
2. Changes in Skin Color and Temperature
Most people miss this critical warning sign because they’re checking at the wrong time, or looking for the wrong signs of trouble. For those with light skin, you’re looking for areas of redness. If you have darker skin, watch for areas that become darker than your natural skin tone. The key that most doctors won’t tell you is that you need to check your skin at the same time every day. Preferably, you should do so after you’ve been sitting for at least 10 minutes.
Why does the timing matter so much? When you’re active, blood flow increases to your feet. And that can mask these warning signs. To spot the real problem, you need to check when conditions are consistent. And remember: a change in skin color that lasts more than 30 minutes after removing our shoes is a red flag that requires immediate attention.
3. Changes in Foot Shape
Diabetes can change the architecture of your foot. And these changes can happen surprisingly quickly. Watch for your toes starting to curl or claw. This isn’t normal aging. It’s actually a hammertoes deformity, often one of the first visible signs that diabetes is affecting your foot structure. Pay attention to your arch height, too. If one foot starts to look flatter than the other, that’s a serious foot problem diabetics can’t ignore. You see, these changes create new pressure points in your feet. Then, when combined with numbness, they can lead to dangerous foot ulcers. You can think of it like wearing a shoe with a pebble inside…except you can’t feel the pebble. And, instead of a pebble, it’s actually your own bone creating the pressure.
4. Non-healing Wounds
A wound isn’t always obvious. You might think you’re looking for a big cut or sore, but in reality, even a small crack in your heel or a tiny blister from new shoes can become a serious problem. How is that possible? Diabetes affects your circulation. And, without good blood flow, these minor injuries can’t heal properly. What might heal in a few days for someone else could take weeks or months for a diabetic. And that’s time you don’t have when it comes to preventing complications.
Remember, your body’s healing process is like a construction crew repairing a road. It needs three things: Good materials (or a healthy blood supply); clear access to the site, in the form of good circulation; and proper coordination from healthy nerves. Diabetes can interfere with all three necessities at once. That’s why even a small nick from nail clippers can become a serious foot problem that diabetics can’t ignore.
5. Infection
Again, this warning sign may not be as obvious as you think. Most people believe that infections come with redness, swelling and pain. But with neuropathy, you might not notice these symptoms. Instead, look for signs like unexplained warmth in one area of your foot; slight swelling that comes and goes; or drainage in your socks that you can’t explain. Even a mild fever can be related to a foot infection that you can’t feel. That’s why you need to look for these and the other four foot problems diabetics can’t ignore using a comprehensive daily foot care routine.
How to Conduct a Daily Diabetic Foot Care Routine
Every evening before you go to bed, take one minute to check your feet thoroughly. Use your hands to feel for any warm spots. (If one foot feels warmer than the other, that’s a red flag.) Look between every toe and don’t skip the bottoms of your feet. Use a mirror if you need to or ask a family member for help. And pay attention to any area that looks different than it did the day before.
Throughout the day, take advantage of any time you change your socks to do a quick check. Look for any unusual marks or pressure points from your shoes. And in the evenings, wash your feet with warm water—never hot—and dry them completely, especially between your toes. Apply moisturizer everywhere except between your toes, as excess moisture in that area can lead to fungal infections.
When it comes to shoes, always shop for them late in the day when your feet are slightly swollen. Make sure you can wiggle all your toes freely in the shoes, and avoid any pair with seams that can rub against your foot. Never wear new shoes for more than an hour at first, and always check your feet after wearing them to make sure they haven’t caused any pressure points. In combination with your awareness of foot problems that diabetics can’t ignore, these preventative steps can help you save your feet before it’s too late. And don’t forget—if you notice any of the red flags we mentioned, contact our office immediately. Just tell us that you’re a diabetic with a foot problem, and we’ll get you in right away.
