Diabetes is a chronic condition marked by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is caused by the inability to produce insulin (a hormone made by the pancreas to control blood glucose levels) or to use insulin effectively, or both.
The main types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Diabetes-related foot disease is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality and healthcare cost burdens in Australia.
How does diabetes affect feet?
Having diabetes may increase your risk of developing diabetes related complications that include nerve damage called 'peripheral neuropathy' or poor circulation in your feet called 'peripheral vascular disease'.
Nerve damage may affect how you feel pressure or pain and may lead to numbness in your toes or feet. Changes to your circulation may delay your ability to heal any cuts or sores. This may also increase your risk of developing ulcers that may even lead to amputations.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Feet are often the first place to show such diabetic-related symptoms. This is why it is so important to pay attention to any changes in your feet particularly if you have diabetes.
Do you have cold feet, numbness, a sharp pain in your leg after walking, pins and needles, or any changes in foot colour, such as redder skin? Also look for any nail changes, corns, calluses, cracked or dry skin. Seek urgent care if you have any signs of an infection, or your skin starts to breakdown — such as via an ulcer or a crack in your heels. Or if you have a new pain, swelling redness in this area. This is even more important if you have already been diagnosed with nerve damage.
What can you do?
Make sure your feet are clean and dry, including drying between your toes after bathing/showering.
Moisturise your feet every day
Check your feet daily for changes
Keep your toenails trimmed
See your podiatrist regularly - and if you notice any changes to your feet, it is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice from a podiatrist.
How else can you look after your feet?
To prevent future foot problems, try and keep your blood glucose levels in your target range. Avoid smoking. Keep physically active. Also, keep up to date with your cycle of care visits.
By taking the right steps in looking after your diabetes, these complications can be delayed or prevented altogether.
(Diabetes and your feet patient information
An APodA member resource Australian Podiatry Association 2023)
In 2021 :
- an estimated 1 in 20 (5.1% or just over 1.3 million) Australians were living with diagnosed diabetes (prevalence). This includes people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes but excludes gestational diabetes. (Australian Institute for Health and Welfare – Australian Government)
- almost 1 in 5 Australians (19%) aged 80-84 were living with diabetes - almost 30 times as high as for those aged under 40 (O.7%). Diabetes was 1.3 times as common in males compared with females, after controlling for age. (Australian Institute for Health and Welfare – Australian Government)
Ensure the health of your feet with our specialised diabetic foot care solutions. Contact clinic on 03 9497 4359 to schedule your appointment today and take proactive steps towards diabetic foot health.
