https://www.crystalrunhealthcare.com/specialties/diabetes Diabetic foot problems are caused by poor circulation and nerve damage. Lack of feeling and circulation issues could lead to dangerous infections that must immediately be treated by a doctor. If oral antibiotics, pain medication, and wound care don’t improve the infection, a doctor may need to amputate your foot or leg to prevent it from spreading.

1. Diabetic Foot Problems

2. Foot problems in diabetics are not uncommon. The two main ways
diabetes can affect your feet are by:
● Damaging nerves: This is caused when uncontrolled blood
sugar levels cause damage to the nerves in your legs. This might
make you lose feeling in your legs and feet, and have difficulty
moving your muscles.
● Preventing circulation: Diabetes makes it more difficult for
your body to circulate blood, which may cause wounds to take
longer to heal, and could also damage your feet due to poor
blood flow.
Why Do Diabetics Have
Foot Problems?

3. ● Diabetic neuropathy: This condition is caused by nerve damage
due to uncontrolled diabetes. It can cause tingling or pain, loss
of feeling, or lack of muscle control in your feet. Diabetic
neuropathy could also leave you unaware of cuts or wounds on
your feet that may become infected.
● Gangrene: This is tissue death as a result of infection or poor
blood flow.
Types of Foot
Problems Diabetics
May Experience

4. ● Dry skin: Nerve damage can prevent your body from
controlling the oil and moisture in your feet. This can lead to
dry, cracked feet, and peeling skin, especially around the heels.
● Calluses: These hard and thick patches of skin usually appear
much more often on the feet of people with diabetes. If left
untreated, they could turn into ulcers and cause infection.
Types of Foot
Problems Diabetics
May Experience

5. ● Ulcers: These are sores which can occur due to poor circulation
and quickly lead to infection if left untreated.
● Amputations: Unfortunately, gangrene and other infections
could spread through your leg without you realizing, due to
nerve damage. If an infection becomes too severe, a doctor
may need to amputate your foot or leg to stop the infection
from spreading further.
Types of Foot
Problems Diabetics
May Experience

6. The most important issues to manage for diabetic foot problems are
pain and possible infections. These are typically treated by:
● Keeping wounds clean, dry, and applying ointments to promote
healing
● Taking antibiotics to control or stop the infection
● Draining fluid or pus from wounds and ulcers
● Taking medication to manage the pain
Treatment for Diabetic
Foot Problems

7. If you have diabetes, you should see your doctor immediately if you notice:
● Any cuts, blisters, bruises, or wounds that don’t start healing after a
few days
● Red or painful spots on your skin that may signal an infection
● A callus that contains dried blood as there may be a wound beneath it
● A foot infection that’s smelly and appears black or blue
When to See a Doctor

8. Crystal Run Healthcare is a comprehensive medical and health care provider based in
New York. It provides residents in the area with specialized treatment for a range of
chronic and acute conditions.
For more information on how Crystal Run Healthcare can help you if you have diabetes,
or if you need diabetic food care, visit
https://www.crystalrunhealthcare.com/specialties/podiatry
About Crystal Run Healthcare

9. Sources
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/foot-problems
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/foot-problems