What is a diabetic foot?

Diabetic foot refers to serious foot problems in people with diabetes, caused by nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation from high blood sugar, leading to numbness, ulcers (open sores), infections, and deformities, which can result in amputation if severe; it's a major complication, but manageable with good blood sugar control and daily foot checks.

What are the symptoms of diabetic foot?

Diabetic foot symptoms often stem from nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation, including tingling, burning, or sharp pain, numbness, and loss of feeling (making you unaware of cuts/blisters). Other signs include dry, cracked skin, color/temperature changes, slow-healing sores or ulcers, calluses, thick toenails, hair loss, and changes in foot shape (like hammer toes). Seeing a doctor immediately for any foot issues is crucial, as these can worsen quickly and lead to serious complications like infections or amputation.
 

What are the 5 stages of diabetic foot?

Understanding these stages can help you know when to seek immediate medical care.

• Stage 1: Pre-ulcerative lesions. ...
• Stage 2: Superficial ulcer. ...
• Stage 3: Deep ulcer. ...
• Stage 4: Abscess or osteomyelitis. ...
• Stage 5: Gangrene.

Can diabetic feet be treated?

Surgical options for treating diabetic foot include: Cleaning any wounds or ulcers and draining accumulated fluids in the feet. Excising ingrown toenails. Removing dead skin and tissues.

What is the main cause of diabetes?

The main cause of diabetes varies by type: Type 1 is an autoimmune attack on the pancreas, while Type 2, the most common, stems from a mix of genetics, obesity, inactivity, and poor diet leading to insulin resistance, with other factors like pregnancy (gestational) or pancreatic damage also causing it. All types result in high blood sugar because the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or can't use insulin effectively. 

Doctor explains DIABETIC FOOT COMPLICATIONS - PLUS 12 TIPS FOR PREVENTION!

What are the 5 worst foods for diabetics?

The 5 worst foods for diabetics generally include sugary drinks, refined grains (white bread, pasta, rice), processed snacks (chips, cookies), fried foods, and sweetened breakfast cereals/yogurts, as they cause rapid blood sugar spikes due to high sugar and simple carbs, while being low in fiber and nutrients, often containing unhealthy fats.
 

What are 5 signs your blood sugar is too high?

Symptoms of hyperglycaemia

• increased thirst and a dry mouth.
• needing to pee frequently.
• tiredness.
• blurred vision.
• unintentional weight loss.
• recurrent infections, such as thrush, bladder infections (cystitis) and skin infections.

How serious is diabetic foot?

At least half of all amputations occur in people with diabetes, most commonly because of an infected diabetic foot ulcer. A thorough understanding of the causes and management of diabetic foot ulceration is essential to reducing lower-extremity amputation risk.

What do diabetic toenails look like?

Diabetic toenails often look thickened, brittle, discolored (yellow, brown, or white), warped, or crumbly, frequently due to common fungal infections or poor circulation/nerve damage (neuropathy) that make them prone to injury and infection, sometimes with buildup under the nail or changes in shape like pincer nails, signaling a need for podiatric care to prevent serious issues.
 

Should diabetics wear socks to bed at night?

Yes, diabetics can wear socks to bed, especially if their feet are cold, as warmth can improve circulation and prevent injury from nighttime stumbles, but they should be loose-fitting, seamless diabetic socks to avoid restricting blood flow or causing blisters, and always check with a doctor for personalized advice, particularly regarding compression socks.
 

What are red flags for diabetes foot?

Risk factors for diabetes

A DPM can examine your feet for diabetes warning signs such as redness, numbness, swelling, scaly skin, inflammation, loss of hair on the toes, and non-healing wounds or sores. If symptoms are found, the DPM will refer you to other physicians, in addition to scheduling you for regular visits.

What is the rule of 50 for diabetic foot?

What is the rule of 50 for diabetic foot? The rule of 50 describes poor outcomes in certain cases: 50% of patients with diabetic ulcers have poor circulation, 50% become infected, and 50% of infected ulcers lead to amputation. That's why early care matters.

Why do they cut off your foot if you have diabetes?

They cut off a foot (amputate) if you have diabetes because high blood sugar damages nerves (neuropathy) and blood vessels, causing numbness and poor healing, which allows minor cuts, blisters, or infections to become severe, deep wounds (ulcers) that don't heal. If these untreated infections or dead tissue (gangrene) can't be stopped, amputation becomes a life-saving measure to prevent the infection from spreading to the bone or body, which can be fatal.
 

What foods should you avoid with neuropathy?

To help manage neuropathy, avoid foods that increase inflammation or blood sugar, like sugary drinks, processed foods, refined carbs (white bread, pasta), fried foods, and excessive alcohol, as these can worsen nerve pain and damage; also limit unhealthy fats, excessive salt, and caffeine. Consider reducing gluten and dairy, as they may aggravate symptoms for some individuals with nerve pain, and focus on whole foods rich in B vitamins and antioxidants instead. 

What are three things you should never do to the feet of someone with diabetes?

To avoid hurting your skin, don't use a nail file, nail clipper or scissors on calluses, corns or warts. Don't use chemical wart removers. See your provider or foot specialist (podiatrist) to remove any of these issues. Cut your toenails carefully.

What do diabetes feet look like?

Diabetes feet can look dry, cracked, discolored (reddish, brownish, or darkened skin), swollen, or have calluses, ingrown toenails, slow-healing sores (ulcers), and hair loss on toes, often with numbness or tingling due to nerve damage, requiring daily checks for issues like blisters, redness, or poor circulation signs like temperature changes.
 

What are pre-diabetic feet?

Prediabetes Symptoms

“Some people with prediabetes may already have nerve damage, which can cause tingling or numbness in the feet and hands,” she notes. If you are at risk for prediabetes, your doctor may test your blood for sugar levels, or a blood sugar test might be part of your regular check-up.

What should diabetics drink first thing in the morning?

Diabetics should start their day with plain water, ideally a glass right after waking, as it hydrates and helps flush excess sugar, with options like warm water with lemon, herbal teas (mint, green tea), or a small glass of low-fat milk (counted as carbs) being good alternatives, while avoiding sugary juices, sodas, and sweetened drinks. Adding natural flavor with cucumber or mint is great, and some find okra or bitter gourd juice beneficial, but always check labels and consult your doctor. 

Why can't diabetics cut their own toenails?

Diabetics often can't safely cut their own toenails due to nerve damage (neuropathy) meaning they can't feel pain from cuts, and poor circulation which slows healing, making even small nicks prone to serious, non-healing infections or ulcers that could lead to amputation. Because even tiny injuries can escalate, most doctors recommend professional podiatrists handle nail care for diabetics to prevent complications. 

What are the first signs of diabetic foot?

Early signs of diabetes in the feet often involve nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation, showing up as tingling, burning, or numbness, dry/cracked skin, slow-healing sores, temperature changes, thickened toenails, or hair loss on toes, which can lead to unnoticed injuries and infections. Watch for persistent redness, swelling, or calluses, as these are gateways for serious complications. 

What part of your foot hurts when you have diabetes?

Diabetic foot pain often starts in the toes and spreads up the feet and legs, feeling like tingling, burning, or sharp jabs, but can also be deep aches, often worse at night, due to nerve damage (neuropathy) or poor circulation, affecting the soles, toes, heels, and even calves, leading to numbness, extreme sensitivity, or ulcers in pressure spots.
 

What happens if diabetic foot goes untreated?

Slow healing can lead to severe complications: Left untreated, infections can spread to other areas of your body and/or lead to gangrene (tissue death).

What is the number one snack to lower blood sugar?

Whether you have diabetes or not, the best snacks to choose are fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. “These options are packed with fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals,” she says.

What does diabetes fatigue feel like?

Diabetes fatigue feels like overwhelming, constant exhaustion and weakness, where even simple tasks take immense effort, accompanied by mental fogginess, poor concentration, lack of motivation, and sleep disturbances, stemming from your body's inability to use sugar for energy, dehydration, or the emotional toll of managing the condition. It's more than just being tired; it's a deep, persistent draining of physical and mental energy, unlike normal tiredness that's relieved by rest.
 

What are the 10 early warning signs of diabetes?

Warning Signs and Symptoms

• Urinating often.
• Feeling very thirsty.
• Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Blurry vision.
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal.
• Weight loss—even though you are eating more (type 1)
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)