Your feet are often the first place to show diabetic-related health issues. Having Diabetes may increase your likelihood of developing diabetes related nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy or poor circulation to the feet known as peripheral vascular disease.

Peripheral neuropathy affects how you feel pressure or pain on your feet and may lead to numbness of the feet. Changes in blood circulation caused by Peripheral Vascular Disease will have an effect on the feets ability to heal wounds, cuts and can often lead to ulcers and amputations.  If you have diabetes, even small or common foot issues can lead to serious complications. It is therefore even more important for people with diabetes to pay attention to any changes in their feet quickly. Some Diabetes related foot symptoms include cold feet, numbness, tingling, pins and needles sensation, changes in the colour of the foot and nail, dry or cracked heels, pain on walking, corns and calluses. Seek urgent treatment if you have any signs of an infection on your lower limbs like redness, swelling, warmth, breaks such as  ulcers or cracks in your heels.

We recommend Diabetic patients visit a podiatrist regularly to detect and avoid any changes early before they become a serious problem.  At Heidelberg Podiatry, we will ask you a few questions about any signs and symptoms associated with diabetes foot complications. We will also do comprehensive examinations of your feet and lower limbs to determine any signs of complications.