If you have diabetes, your feet need checking regularly even when nothing hurts. That last part is the important bit, and it is the reason these appointments matter more than they feel like they should.
Why pain stops being a reliable signal
Diabetes can affect the nerves in the feet over time. As that happens, sensation reduces - often so gradually that people do not notice it has changed.
Pain is a warning system. It is how you find out about a stone in your shoe, a blister forming, a cut, or a shoe rubbing. When that system is dulled, damage can develop and progress without ever announcing itself.
Circulation matters too
Diabetes can also affect blood supply to the feet. Reduced circulation means tissue heals more slowly, and a small injury that would resolve in days for someone else can persist and become a more significant problem.
Reduced sensation and reduced circulation together are what make a minor injury worth taking seriously.
What we check
- Sensation testing to establish how well the protective nerve supply is working.
- Circulation assessment, including pulses and blood flow to the foot.
- Skin and nail condition - dryness, cracking, callus, early signs of breakdown.
- Pressure points and foot shape, since areas of high load are where problems start.
- Your footwear, which is a common and easily corrected source of trouble.
You leave knowing your risk level and what specifically to watch for, rather than a general instruction to be careful.
What to check yourself, and how often
Daily is the standard advice, and it takes under a minute:
- Look at the tops, soles and between the toes. Use a mirror if you cannot see the soles comfortably, or ask someone.
- Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or changes in colour.
- Check for warm areas - heat can indicate inflammation or infection before anything is visible.
- Feel inside your shoes before putting them on for stones, ridges or worn linings.
Signs that need attention the same day
Contact us or your GP promptly if you notice any of the following:
- A break in the skin that is not healing.
- Redness, swelling or heat, particularly if it is spreading.
- Any discharge, or an unpleasant smell.
- A sudden change in colour of the foot or toes.
- New numbness, tingling or burning.
None of these should wait for a routine appointment. Ring us and say it is a diabetic foot concern.
Things worth avoiding
- Over-the-counter corn, callus and verruca removers. These are acid-based and are not suitable if you have reduced sensation or circulation.
- Cutting corns or callus yourself, or letting anyone without appropriate training do it.
- Hot water bottles and sitting close to heaters - with reduced sensation, burns can happen without you feeling them.
- Walking barefoot, indoors included.
Booking
You can book a diabetic foot assessment directly at Finglas or Mount Merrion without a GP referral. If you are already under a diabetes team, we are happy to work alongside them.
If you cannot remember when your feet were last properly checked, that is a good enough reason to book one.
This article is general information about a common foot condition and is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for any individual. Foot pain has several possible causes that present similarly, so if something is troubling you, have it assessed in person.
References
This page is for general information and does not replace individual clinical assessment. If symptoms persist, book an appointment with a CORU-registered podiatrist.