Diabetes and Your Feet

The Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam (CDFE) is strongly recommended on a yearly basis so your podiatrist can thoroughly look for cuts, calluses or other foot imperfections that may lead to foot ulcers. If left unattended, foot ulcers may require amputation of a toe or foot. Foot ulcers are treatable if caught soon.

Neuropathy (loss of sensation) is a symptom of diabetes and makes detecting foot pain, cuts, or even sores very difficult. That is why you need to visually inspect your feet every day to find foot complications that you may not be able to feel. Use a mirror to look at the bottoms of your feet or ask someone you know to help you inspect your feet. Notify your podiatrist if you see any changes in color or breaks in your skin.

Also inherent to diabetes is poor blood circulation – the effects of which are especially noticed in the feet. Decreased circulation slows, or even prevents, wound healing – so even the smallest cut on your feet is cause for concern. Foot wounds need special care until is fully healed, so follow your podiatrist’s instructions closely.

Notify your podiatrist of any breaks in the skin or excessive skin redness. And be sure to make a yearly appointment for a CDFE.