Managing diabetes is a daily commitment that involves monitoring blood sugar, eating a balanced diet, and staying active. But one of the most critical parts of a comprehensive diabetes care plan is often overlooked: regular foot exams. For individuals living with diabetes, what starts as a minor foot issue can quickly escalate into a serious health complication. That's why consistent, professional foot care is not just a recommendation: it's an essential part of protecting your long-term health and mobility.
At Northern Illinois Foot and Ankle Specialists, we are dedicated to helping our patients manage their diabetic foot health with expert, proactive care. Many people are surprised to learn how significantly diabetes can impact their feet. We want to explain why these regular check-ups are so important and what you can do to prevent serious problems before they start.
This guide will break down the risks associated with diabetic feet, what happens during a professional foot exam, and the simple steps you can take every day to stay healthy from the ground up.
The Connection Between Diabetes and Your Feet
Diabetes can affect your feet in two major ways: through nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation. Chronic hyperglycemia in the setting of diabetes also impairs white blood cell function, leading to decreased response to insult, bacteria, and more, even in the absence of neuropathy or known peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Understanding these connections is the first step toward effective prevention.
Diabetic Neuropathy: The Loss of Sensation
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves throughout your body, a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. This damage often starts in the longest nerves first, which are the ones that travel to your feet.
When these nerves are damaged, you can lose the ability to feel pain, heat, or cold in your feet. This means you might not notice a small cut, a blister from an ill-fitting shoe, or a foreign object like a pebble in your sock. Without the warning signal of pain, these minor injuries can go untreated and become infected. An unnoticed infection can quickly worsen, leading to ulcers (open sores) and potentially severe complications.
Poor Circulation: The Challenge of Healing
Diabetes can also cause the blood vessels in your legs and feet to narrow and harden, a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD). This reduces blood flow to your extremities. Blood carries the oxygen and nutrients your body needs to heal wounds and fight infections.
When circulation is poor, even a small cut or blister can take a very long time to heal. A slow-healing wound is at a much higher risk of becoming infected. When combined with the lack of sensation from neuropathy, this creates a dangerous situation where a serious injury can develop without you even knowing it.
Why You Can't Afford to Skip Your Annual Foot Exam
A comprehensive diabetic foot exam performed by a foot and ankle specialist is your best defense against serious complications. These exams are much more thorough than a quick glance from a primary care provider. They are designed to catch problems at their earliest, most treatable stage.
During a professional exam, a specialist will:
Test for Neuropathy: We use simple, painless tools like a monofilament to test for loss of protective sensation. This helps us understand your level of risk for unnoticed injuries.
Assess Circulation: We will check the pulses in your feet and look for signs of poor blood flow, such as shiny skin, hair loss on your toes and legs, or a bluish tint to your skin.
Inspect Your Skin and Nails: We will carefully check for any cuts, scrapes, blisters, calluses, corns, or fungal infections. We also examine your toenails for signs of thickening, discoloration, or ingrown nails, which can create entry points for bacteria.
Check for Deformities: We look for any changes in the shape of your feet, such as bunions, hammertoes, or Charcot foot, a serious condition where bones can weaken and break.
Provide Education: This is one of the most important parts of the visit. We will discuss proper footwear, daily self-care routines, and what specific warning signs you should look for at home.
Early detection of any of these issues allows us to intervene immediately, preventing small problems from becoming limb-threatening emergencies.
Daily Self-Care: Your Role in Prevention
While professional exams are crucial, what you do at home every day is just as important. Integrating these simple habits into your daily routine can make a huge difference.
Inspect Your Feet Daily: Set aside time each day to check your feet for any changes. Look at the tops, bottoms, heels, and between your toes. Use a mirror or ask a family member for help if you have trouble seeing the bottoms of your feet.
Wash and Dry Carefully: Wash your feet daily with lukewarm water and mild soap. Be sure to dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes, as leftover moisture can encourage fungal growth.
Moisturize, But Not Between the Toes: Apply a thin layer of lotion to the tops and bottoms of your feet to prevent dry, cracked skin. Avoid applying it between your toes.
Wear Proper Footwear: Always wear well-fitting shoes and socks. Never go barefoot, even indoors, to protect your feet from injury. Your shoes should have plenty of room for your toes and provide good support. We offer specialized diabetic shoes and inserts that provide extra protection.
Trim Nails Carefully: Cut your toenails straight across and file the edges. Avoid cutting them too short or rounding the corners, which can lead to ingrown toenails. If you have trouble trimming your nails, let a specialist do it for you.
Start Prioritizing Your Diabetic Foot Health Now
Living with diabetes requires a team effort, and we want to be a key player on your healthcare team. At Northern Illinois Foot and Ankle Specialists, we are committed to providing comprehensive diabetic foot care tailored to your specific needs. From routine exams and wound care to providing custom diabetic footwear, our goal is to help you maintain your mobility and quality of life.
Ignoring your feet when you have diabetes is a risk you can’t afford to take. A simple, painless annual exam can prevent amputations, hospitalizations, and serious infections. Protect your health and your independence by making foot care a priority. You rarely need a referral to visit a podiatrist. If you’re unsure about your insurance coverage for diabetic foot exams, call our office. We’ll work with you to make sure you have the care you need.
Don't wait for a problem to arise. If you have diabetes and haven't had a comprehensive foot exam in the last year, schedule an appointment at one of our convenient Northern Illinois locations today. We help you stay active with care others can’t match.
