How can diabetes affect your feet?

Foot problems are common in people with diabetes. They can happen over time when high blood sugar
high blood sugar
Hyperglycemia is a condition in which an excessive amount of glucose circulates in the blood plasma. This is generally a blood sugar level higher than 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dL), but symptoms may not start to become noticeable until even higher values such as 13.9–16.7 mmol/l (~250–300 mg/dL).
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Hyperglycemia
damages the nerves and blood vessels in the feet. The nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in your feet.
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What are signs of diabetes in your feet?

Signs of Diabetic Foot Problems
  • Changes in skin color.
  • Changes in skin temperature.
  • Swelling in the foot or ankle.
  • Pain in the legs.
  • Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal or are draining.
  • Ingrown toenails or toenails infected with fungus.
  • Corns or calluses.
  • Dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel.
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How does having diabetes affect your feet?

Raised blood glucose levels, also known as blood sugar, can damage the sensation in your feet. This can also affect your circulation, which can lead to you getting less blood supply to your feet. Without a good blood supply you may have problems with cuts and sores healing.
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How do you fix diabetic feet?

Fortunately, a little TLC goes a long way in preventing foot problems from diabetes.
  1. Check both feet daily. ...
  2. Wash with warm -- not hot -- water. ...
  3. Make sure your shoes fit well. ...
  4. Skip the barefoot look. ...
  5. Speak up. ...
  6. Stay soft, but dry. ...
  7. Try non-impact exercise. ...
  8. Fix bunions, corns, and hammertoes.
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What are 10 warning signs of diabetes?

Early signs and symptoms of diabetes
  • Frequent urination. When your blood sugar is high, your kidneys expel the excess blood sugar, causing you to urinate more frequently. ...
  • Increased thirst. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Blurred vision. ...
  • Increased hunger. ...
  • Unexplained weight loss. ...
  • Slow healing cuts and wounds. ...
  • Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
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Diabetes and How It Affects the Feet



What does diabetic legs look like?

Also known as “shin spots,” the hallmark of diabetic dermopathy is light brown, scaly patches of skin, often occurring on the shins. These patches may be oval or circular. They're caused by damage to the small blood vessels that supply the tissues with nutrition and oxygen.
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Can diabetic foot be cured?

Background. Diabetic foot infections are a frequent clinical problem. About 50% of patients with diabetic foot infections who have foot amputations die within five years. Properly managed most can be cured, but many patients needlessly undergo amputations because of improper diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
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What are the 3 most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes?

The three most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes include:
  • Increased thirst (polydipsia) High blood sugar levels cause increased thirst.
  • Increased urination (polyuria) Needing to urinate more throughout the day. Urinating more often than usual at night.
  • Increased hunger (polyphagia)
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Where is diabetic foot pain located?

High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout the body. Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in the legs and feet. Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms include pain and numbness in the legs, feet and hands.
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What are the warning signs of neuropathy?

Some of the symptoms that are most typical of first or early-stage neuropathy include the following:
  • Itchiness.
  • Tingling, prickling, or “pins-and-needles” sensation.
  • Burning sensations.
  • Sudden, intermittent “electric shock” pain.
  • Intermittent muscle spasms or cramping.
  • Hypersensitivity to touch or temperature.
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What does neuropathy in feet feel like?

Gradual onset of numbness, prickling or tingling in your feet or hands, which can spread upward into your legs and arms. Sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain. Extreme sensitivity to touch.
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What are the early signs of being a diabetic?

Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, causes many of the warning signs of diabetes listed above, including:
  • Heavy thirst.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Peeing a lot.
  • More hunger.
  • Numb or tingling feet.
  • Fatigue.
  • Sugar in your urine.
  • Weight loss.
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Is walking good for diabetic foot pain?

In diabetic condition, aerobic exercise such as walking is commonly recommended to improve glucose control and reduce microvascular and macrovascular complications7,8.
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Does type 2 diabetes make your feet hurt?

Diabetic foot pain is mainly due to a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Approximately 50% of people who have type 2 diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy, which happens when high blood sugar levels cause damage to the nerves in the legs and the feet.
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What does diabetic nerve pain feel like in your feet?

Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, hands, and feet. Another symptom is a burning, sharp, or aching pain (diabetic nerve pain). The pain may be mild at first, but it can get worse over time and spread up your legs or arms.
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How do you feel when your blood sugar is too high?

If your blood sugar level is too high, you may experience:
  1. Increased thirst.
  2. Frequent urination.
  3. Fatigue.
  4. Nausea and vomiting.
  5. Shortness of breath.
  6. Stomach pain.
  7. Fruity breath odor.
  8. A very dry mouth.
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What are the 6 symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes Symptoms
  • Urinate (pee) a lot, often at night.
  • Are very thirsty.
  • Lose weight without trying.
  • Are very hungry.
  • Have blurry vision.
  • Have numb or tingling hands or feet.
  • Feel very tired.
  • Have very dry skin.
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What does untreated diabetes feel like?

Among the signs and symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes are: Extreme fatigue. Frequent urination. Excessive thirst or hunger.
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Why can't diabetics cut toenails?

Myth: People with diabetes can't cut their own toenails

Don't cut them straight across, curved down the sides, or too short. Remember, your nails are there to protect your toes.
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What kind of food should diabetics avoid?

  • Sugar-sweetened beverages. Sugary beverages are the worst drink choice for someone with diabetes. ...
  • Trans fats. Artificial trans fats are extremely unhealthy. ...
  • White bread, rice, and pasta. ...
  • Fruit-flavored yogurt. ...
  • Sweetened breakfast cereals. ...
  • Flavored coffee drinks. ...
  • Honey, agave nectar, and maple syrup. ...
  • Dried fruit.
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Why do diabetics lose their feet?

Diabetes is linked to two other conditions that raise the chances of foot amputation: peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetic neuropathy. PAD can narrow the arteries that carry blood to your legs and feet and make you more likely to get ulcers (open sores) and infections.
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What is a diabetic foot?

Foot problems are common in people with diabetes. They can happen over time when high blood sugar damages the nerves and blood vessels in the feet. The nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in your feet.
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Where do you itch if you have diabetes?

Localized itching is often caused by diabetes. It can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation. When poor circulation is the cause of itching, the itchiest areas may be the lower parts of the legs. You may be able to treat itching yourself.
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Where does diabetic neuropathy usually start?

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy usually first appears in the feet and legs, and may occur in the hands and arms later.
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Does drinking water help with neuropathy?

Drink lots of water

Water should be a staple in any diet, and even more so for those looking to reduce nerve pain. It's critical to stay hydrated throughout the day to reduce inflammation and avoid triggering pain receptors.
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