Diabetes and the Feet

High blood glucose (sugar) can damage the nerves in the feet. If you have diabetes, you may not be able to feel minor foot injuries, such as a cut or a blister. As a result, you may be unaware of any problems. Diabetes also can damage your blood vessels, causing poor blood flow to your feet. A sore on your foot might not heal properly and progress into a foot ulcer. Without proper intervention and treatment, a minor foot injury can become severely infected, leading to gangrene, the death of tissue. Amputation of a toe, a foot, or even a leg may be necessary.

Any concerns about the feet should be brought to the attention of your healthcare professional. Some warning signs to look out for include:

• Very cold legs or feet

• Pain in the legs while walking or resting

• Swelling in the foot or ankle

• Dry, cracked, or flaking skin

• Calluses

• Fungal infections

• Thick, yellow toenails

• Ingrown toenails

• Changes in the shape of the feet

• Open sores

• Wounds that won’t heal

• Red, blue, or black discoloration

Having a regular foot care regimen is extremely important for people who have diabetes to prevent serious complications, such as infection and gangrene. Keep in mind: Most diabetic amputations start with a foot ulcer but can be prevented with proper care and treatment.

• Follow your recommended meal and physical activity plans, take any medications as prescribed, keep all healthcare appointments, and don’t smoke.

• Work with your healthcare professional to manage your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

• Make sure your healthcare professional regularly checks your feet.

• Examine your feet every day. Look for anything unusual, including cuts, sores, swelling, redness, or infected toenails. Use a mirror to look at the bottoms of your feet if you have trouble bending over.

• Keep your feet clean by washing them in warm, not hot, water, and make sure to dry all surfaces, including between your toes. Use cornstarch between your toes to keep the area dry. Rub a small amount of cream, lotion, or petroleum jelly into the tops and bottoms of your feet but not between your toes because it might lead to infection.

Our Diabetes Consequences 3-D Display includes a diabetic foot model
and seven other potential health consequences of uncontrolled diabetes.

• Consult your healthcare professional for treatment of corns, calluses, and ingrown toenails. Follow your healthcare professional’s recommendations.

• Trim your toenails straight across, and use a nail file or emery board to smooth them.

• Wear shoes and socks at all times, including indoors. Select shoes and socks that fit you properly. Check your shoes for any objects or changes to the lining that might cause irritation.

• Select shoes and socks that protect your feet from the heat and cold. Do not put hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet.

• Promote blood flow to your feet. Put your feet up when you are sitting. Wiggle your toes for 5 minutes 2–3 times a day, and move your ankles in and out and up and down.

Immediately contact your healthcare professional if a sore or other foot problem does not begin to heal within 1 day.

Our diabetic foot models are great teaching tools to explain the importance of the proper care of diabetic feet to prevent diabetic complications.

Made of realistic BIOLIKE™ material that feels like real tissue, our Diabetic Foot Model depicts four lifelike wounds in various stages of development: a stage 1 ulcer, a stage 2 ulcer, a stage 3–4 ulcer, and a crack under the fold of a toe. The model is an ideal resource to teach about the role of daily foot self-exams for any foot injuries or abnormalities, such as blisters, calluses, infections, discoloration, swelling, thickened or discolored nails, and dry or cracked skin. The model comes with an instruction card and protective carrying case.

Also made of soft BIOLIKE™ material and coming with an instruction card and carrying case, our Severe Diabetic Foot Model depicts what can happen when diabetic foot damage turns to gangrene. In unflinching, realistic detail, the model features an amputated big toe, severe infection and gangrene, swelling and redness from infection, a severe foot ulcer, a pressure point irritation leading to an ulcer, and irritation to the toes. The model also can be used to explain Charcot foot, a foot deformity that can develop because of an undetected injury to the foot. Symptoms may include a red, swollen, or warm foot. Sometimes, a collapsed arch may result. If Charcot foot becomes severe, surgery or amputation may be necessary.

Our Diabetic Foot Model and Severe Diabetic Foot Model are available individually, or you can enjoy savings by purchasing them together as the Diabetic Foot Model Set!

If you have any questions about diabetes and your feet, talk to your healthcare professional. Always follow your healthcare professional’s recommendations for diabetic foot care.

To learn more about our diabetes education resources, please visit our Diabetes Education Materials & Models Section.

©2008, 2019 Health Edco^®