Why is foot care important when you have diabetes?
Diabetes can affect sensation and circulation in the feet. Reduced feeling can make cuts, rubbing or pressure damage harder to notice, while reduced circulation can affect healing.
Why are regular foot checks useful?
Checking the feet regularly can help identify small changes before they become more serious.
What should you check on your feet each day?
Look for new cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, broken skin, colour change, heat, discharge or areas where footwear has rubbed.
Where should you look?
Check the tops and sides of the feet, the heels and soles, and between the toes.
What if you cannot see the soles easily?
A mirror can help, or you can ask someone you trust to help check areas that are difficult to see.
Why can a foot problem be easy to miss?
If sensation is reduced, a sore area or blister may not feel as painful as expected. That is why visual checks matter as well as comfort.
Why does footwear matter?
Shoes that are too tight, too shallow or have internal pressure points can cause rubbing or pressure damage.
What should you check inside your shoes?
Before putting them on, check for stones, damaged linings, folded insoles or other objects that could create pressure.
What about socks?
Socks should fit smoothly without tight bands, bulky seams or folds that create pressure against the skin.
What is diabetic foot risk?
Risk varies from person to person. Reduced sensation, circulation problems, deformity, previous ulceration or amputation can increase the need for specialist monitoring and footwear advice.
What changes should be checked promptly?
New broken skin, ulceration, increasing redness or swelling, discharge, colour change or an unexplained hot swollen foot should be assessed promptly.
What if a problem does not hurt?
Lack of pain does not necessarily mean the problem is minor if sensation is reduced.
Daily check: look for changes in skin condition, colour, swelling, heat, pressure areas and signs of rubbing — not just pain.
When should you seek professional advice?
Seek prompt advice for any new wound, ulcer, infection concern, unexplained swelling or colour change, or whenever a foot problem is worsening rather than settling.
