Making Sense of Feet and Diabetes
Feet and Diabetes: what it is, why it matters, and what published guidance actually asks of you.
Nerve damage removes the pain that would make you notice an injury, so small problems progress silently and can end in amputation.
Key takeaways
- Annual foot check: part of routine diabetes care
- Why injuries are missed: neuropathy removes protective pain sensation
- Most useful single change: Check your feet daily, using a mirror for the soles.
- Commonest mistake: Walking barefoot, indoors or out.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
The short answer
Daily checking and protection of the feet in anyone with diabetes.
Where it fits
This is part of Foot Health. The figures come first, because the advice only makes sense against them.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Annual foot check | part of routine diabetes care |
| Why injuries are missed | neuropathy removes protective pain sensation |
| Any new ulcer | same-day referral to a foot protection service |
| Footwear | well-fitting, and checked inside before wearing |
What that means in practice
The practical version:
- Check your feet daily, using a mirror for the soles
- Check inside shoes before putting them on
- Moisturise except between the toes, and attend your annual check
What gets people into trouble
Where people most often come unstuck:
- Walking barefoot, indoors or out
- Over-the-counter corn and verruca treatments, which can cause ulcers
- Hot water bottles or radiators to warm cold feet
Where to go next
- Feet and Diabetes: A Practical Checklist
- Feet and Diabetes: Separating Myth From Guidance
- Feet and Diabetes — the reference entry
- Plantar Heel Pain: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
- Ingrown Toenails: What Published Guidance Supports
When to speak to a doctor
Seek same-day medical advice for any break in the skin, ulcer, blister, colour change, swelling, unusual warmth, or new numbness in the feet. Foot infection in diabetes can progress within days. Go to A&E for a black area, spreading redness, fever, or a wound with discharge.
Where this comes from
- NICE — Diabetic foot problems
- Diabetes UK — looking after your feet
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
