Let's learn exactly what diabetes-related foot conditions can do to your feet!

Do you have diabetes? Then you probably know that you need to take care of your blood sugar levels and many other things. But did you know that taking care of your feet is just as important? Sometimes we don't think much about it, but diabetes can cause serious problems with our feet. So today, let's talk about this.

Why do people with diabetes have more foot problems?

It's like a chain of events that are connected to each other. Simply put, the problem starts in two places. One is nerve damage (Neuropathy) . The other is reduced blood flow to the legs.

Imagine a small pebble gets stuck in your shoe. While someone without diabetes would feel it immediately, if you have neuropathy, you might not feel it. What happens if you wear that shoe all day? The pebble will hurt your foot.

Now comes the second problem. Because your legs have poor blood circulation, meaning the blood doesn't flow properly, the wound doesn't heal easily . Also, when you have diabetes, your body's immune system is a little weak, so germs can easily enter the wound.

Did you see the incident?

1. The leg has little sensation, so you can't feel an injury.

2. Germs enter the wound and cause an infection .

3. Due to poor blood circulation, the infection does not heal and only gets worse.

4. If this is ignored, the infection can spread to the bones, possibly even leading to the amputation of a finger or leg .

That's why we say that someone with diabetes should take great care of their feet.

What are the most common foot problems caused by diabetes?

For someone with diabetes, even the smallest things can become a big problem. Some of these include:

• Non-healing cuts, blisters, and wounds.
• Dry, cracked skin.
• The formation of black, rough spots (corns).
• Fungal infections, for example athlete's foot and fungal infections of the nails.
• Ingrown toenails.
• Hammertoes and bunions.

Among these , foot ulcers are the most common and serious condition. They usually develop in areas that are tight and constricted by shoes. If not treated promptly, they can lead to serious infections.

What symptoms should you be concerned about?

Check your feet regularly for these changes. These are the warning signs:

If you see a symptom like this, don't ignore it. Be sure to show it to your doctor.

What happens if this gets serious?

If left untreated for a long time, this condition can worsen and lead to two major complications.

Gangrene condition

This is a medical emergency. This is when blood flow to a part of the leg is completely cut off, causing the area to become numb.It is the death of tissue . If this is not treated quickly, it can even be life-threatening.

Symptoms of `Gangrene`:

• Skin color changes (from red to brown, purple, green, or black).
• Swelling of the skin.
• Severe pain or complete loss of sensation.
• Skin feeling cold as ice when touched.
• Hearing a "crackling" sound when pressing on the skin.
• Bleeding or foul-smelling pus from wounds.
• Chills, fever, rapid breathing, vomiting.

Charcot Foot condition

This is a rare condition. It is caused by nerve damage, which weakens the bones and joints of the foot and causes them to collapse . This can completely change the shape of the foot.

Early symptoms of Charcot Foot:

• Foot pain.
• Redness of the skin.
• Swelling.
• Abnormally hot feet (one foot feeling hotter than the other).

If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

How do you avoid these problems?

The best thing to do is to prevent a problem before it happens. There are many simple things you can do to help. The most important thing is to keep your blood sugar levels under control . In addition, be sure to do these things.

What are the best times to see a doctor?

If you feel or see anything like this, see a doctor without delay:

• Numbness, burning, or pain in the legs.
• A wound or blister that does not heal.
• Dry and cracked skin.
• Decreased ability to feel heat or cold.
• Change in color or temperature of the leg.
• Change in foot shape.
• Nails become yellow and thick.
• Hair loss on the legs, toes, or soles of the feet.

There are so many things to manage when living with diabetes. With all the sugar levels, medication, food, and exercise, it can be easy to forget to think about your feet. But never forget. Your feet will carry you through your life. So it's your responsibility to take good care of them.