In our downtown Toronto foot clinic, we consult with a lot of diabetic patients. There are certain foot problems that are unique to diabetic patients, due to the high levels of glucose that can occur in the blood. These problems include nerve damage and peripheral vascular disease, a condition that results from poor circulation.
So how can you tell if you have foot problems associated with diabetes? Here are some of the top signs to look out for:
- Change in foot shape, or differing shape between your two feet. Swollen feet or redness can be a sign of ill-fitting shoes or infection.
- Tingling, numbness or pain. If you can’t feel your feet properly, or if they feel like heavy bricks, seek a podiatrist’s advice as soon as you can.
- Sores or blisters that aren’t healing quickly, or unusually cracked or callused feet. If you do get a sore on your foot, wash it with warm water and try to avoid too much walking. Your podiatrist can help dress your wound as well as recommend the right shoes for you that will reduce pain and friction.
If you’re diabetic, it’s very important you check your feet on a regular basis — we know that sometimes the feet are the last parts of your body you’re worried about. Remember that your feet get you from A to B, and there’s no reason for any discomfort or pain.
At our foot clinic, we teach our diabetic patients to identify the signs and symptoms to look out for, manage callouses and cracks, and we help keep toe nails neat and trim.
If you suspect you might have any foot problems associated with diabetes, contact our Toronto podiatry clinic to speak with podiatrist Chris Hastings, DPM.
