Overview
Diabetic foot problems happen because long-standing high sugar damages the nerves (so injuries go unnoticed) and the blood vessels (so wounds heal poorly). A small cut or blister can quietly become a deep ulcer or infection, and delayed care is a leading cause of amputation in Nigeria. Daily foot checks prevent most disasters.
Symptoms
- Numbness, tingling or burning in the feet
- Loss of feeling — injuries that do not hurt
- A sore, blister or ulcer that will not heal
- Foot swelling, redness or warmth
- Discharge or odour from a wound
- Blackening of a toe or area of skin (emergency)
Causes & risk factors
- Nerve damage from prolonged high blood sugar
- Poor circulation to the feet
- Minor injuries from tight shoes, barefoot walking or hot water
- Poor glucose control slowing healing
Treatment & self-care
Inspect your feet daily, wash and dry them carefully, moisturise dry skin, never walk barefoot and wear well-fitting covered shoes. Any wound, however small, needs prompt professional wound care plus tight sugar control; infections require prescribed antibiotics and sometimes surgical cleaning. Do not soak wounds in hot water, salt solutions or herbal preparations.
See a doctor urgently if
- Any foot wound in a diabetic — within 24 hours
- Redness, swelling, warmth or pus around a wound
- A wound with fever
- Any area of skin or toe turning dark or black