By: CDC

Nerve damage, circulation problems, and infections can cause serious foot problems for people with diabetes. There’s a lot you can do to prevent problems with your feet. Controlling your blood glucose and not smoking or using tobacco can help protect your feet. You can also take some simple safeguards each day to care for and protect your feet.

Nerve damage can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. Sometimes nerve damage can deform or misshape your feet, causing pressure points that can turn into blisters, sores, or ulcers. Poor circulation can make these injuries slow to heal.

Signs of Foot Problems

Y our feet may tingle, burn, or hurt. You may not be able to feel touch, heat, or cold very well. The shape of  your feet can change over time. There may even be changes in the color
and temperature of your feet.

Ask your health care provider to look at your feet at least 4 times a year. As a reminder, take off your shoes and socks when you’re in the exam room. Have your sense of feeling and your pulses checked at least once a year.

If you have nerve damage, deformed or misshaped feet, or a circulation problem, your feet need special care. Ask your health care provider to show you how to care for your feet. Also ask if special shoes would help you.

A sk your health care provider for the name of a foot doctor. If you see redness around the nails, see your health care provider at once.