If you have diabetes, new foot problems should be taken seriously even when they are not very painful. Reduced sensation can mean significant damage is easier to miss.
New ulceration, infection, unexplained swelling, colour change or a hot swollen foot should be professionally assessed promptly rather than monitored at home for several days.
What counts as an active diabetic foot problem?
NICE includes ulceration, infection, severe circulation problems, gangrene and suspected acute Charcot arthropathy among active diabetic foot problems.
An unexplained hot, swollen foot with a change in colour can be important even if pain is limited or absent.
Which changes should you get checked promptly?
| Change | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| New ulcer or broken skin | Needs assessment and a plan to prevent deterioration. |
| Redness, heat or swelling | May indicate inflammation, infection or another active problem. |
| Discharge or unpleasant odour | Can be associated with infection or a wound. |
| Colour change | May indicate circulation or inflammatory problems. |
| New blister or pressure damage | Can progress if pressure continues. |
| Hot swollen foot with shape/colour change | Can be a warning sign of acute Charcot arthropathy. |
When is it an emergency?
NICE recommends immediate referral to acute services for limb- or life-threatening diabetic foot problems, including ulceration with signs of sepsis, severe blood-supply problems, deep infection or gangrene.
Seek urgent medical help now if you feel seriously unwell with a foot infection, there is rapidly spreading redness, severe infection is suspected, the foot becomes black/gangrenous, or there are signs of severe loss of blood supply.
What if the problem does not hurt?
Do not use lack of pain as reassurance. Neuropathy can reduce sensation, so a serious problem may be less painful than expected.
Can you treat an ulcer yourself?
No. Ulcers require professional assessment and appropriate wound and pressure management. Do not cut away skin, use corn-removing chemicals or improvise padding to offload an ulcer.
Who should you contact?
Follow the foot-care contact pathway provided by your diabetes team. Depending on local services and urgency, this may involve your GP, podiatry/foot protection service, multidisciplinary diabetic foot service, NHS 111 or emergency care.
This is deliberately not a shopping page. New active diabetic foot problems need assessment, not a retail workaround.
Looking for Preventative Footwear & Everyday Foot Care?
Our diabetic foot-care range is intended for everyday comfort and prevention-focused use, not treatment of active ulcers or infections.
Explore Diabetic Foot Care
