How Diabetes Affects Your Feet – and What You Can Do About It

If you have diabetes, caring for your feet isn't optional — it's essential. High blood sugar over time can lead to nerve damage and reduced circulation, making your feet vulnerable to injury, infection, and even ulcers.

At Genesis Podiatry, we regularly help people with diabetes prevent small issues from becoming serious problems. Early care and regular checks go a long way.

Common Diabetic Foot Problems

•⁠ ⁠Numbness or tingling in the feet (peripheral neuropathy)

•⁠ ⁠Reduced sensation (can’t feel small cuts or blisters)

•⁠ ⁠Dry, cracked skin — especially on the heels

•⁠ ⁠Slow-healing wounds or ulcers

•⁠ ⁠Changes in foot shape or loss of muscle tone

•⁠ ⁠Infections from unnoticed injuries

If you're not checking your feet daily, it’s easy to miss something important.

Why Diabetes Affects the Feet

Diabetes can impact the nerves (neuropathy) and blood vessels (poor circulation) in your feet. This means:

•⁠ ⁠You might not feel pain from injuries

•⁠ ⁠Wounds heal slowly or not at all

•⁠ ⁠Minor cuts can turn into infections or ulcers

•⁠ ⁠In severe cases, gangrene or amputation can occur

The feet are often the first place these complications show up — which is why regular checks are critical.

How a Podiatrist Can Help?

At Genesis Podiatry, we offer:

•⁠ ⁠Comprehensive diabetic foot assessments

•⁠ ⁠Non-invasive circulation and nerve testing

•⁠ ⁠Footwear and orthotic advice for pressure relief

•⁠ ⁠Treatment of corns, calluses, and cracked heels

•⁠ ⁠Monitoring and care for ulcers and wounds

•⁠ ⁠Education on daily foot care routines

We also work closely with GPs, dieticians, diabetes educators, diabetes specialists and your endocrinologists to manage your overall risk.

How You Can Protect Your Feet

•⁠ ⁠Check your feet daily – look for cuts, colour changes, swelling

•⁠ ⁠Wash and dry thoroughly (especially between toes)

•⁠ ⁠Moisturise daily – but not between the toes

•⁠ ⁠Always wear socks and protective footwear

•⁠ ⁠Trim nails carefully – or have us help

•⁠ ⁠Avoid walking barefoot — even at home

Even if your feet feel fine now, prevention is better than treatment.

Book Your Diabetic Foot Check Today

Foot complications from diabetes can be serious — but most are preventable. If it’s been more than 12 months since your last check, you’re due.

Book your diabetic foot assessment today.

Written by Christine, Podiatrist at Genesis Podiatry