Foot health might not seem urgent — until a small problem becomes a serious complication. For people living with diabetes, understanding how the condition affects your feet can make the difference between a minor issue and a life-changing event. Every year in Australia, around 4400 people with diabetes face amputation — a devastating outcome that's often preventable. Your feet carry you through life, and with diabetes, they need extra care and attention.
How diabetes affects your feet
Diabetes changes how blood flows to your feet and how nerves sense pain and injury. These changes happen gradually, which is why regular checking is so important — and why knowing what to look for puts you in a much stronger position.
Your circulation
Smoking, high blood fats and raised blood glucose levels can cause hardening or narrowing of the arteries over time. The first sign is often pain or cramps in the backs of your legs when walking. When circulation is reduced, cuts and sores may heal more slowly — or not at all without treatment.
Your nerve supply
The nerves running to your feet are the most likely to be affected by diabetes. Damaged nerves (neuropathy) can cause a range of sensations — painful, numb, or insensitive feet — and some people experience burning, tingling or pain that's often worse at night. The risk is that an injury you can't feel goes unnoticed and untreated, which is how small problems can become serious ones.
Understanding what's happening inside your body helps explain why daily checks matter so much.
Daily foot care
Daily foot care doesn't need to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent. Here's what to make part of your routine:
- Inspect your feet every day. Look carefully at the top, bottom and between your toes — a mirror can help you check underneath. Look for swelling, redness, heat or any sign of injury.
- Wash and dry thoroughly. Pay particular attention to drying between your toes. If moisture builds up there, methylated spirits can help.
- Moisturise dry or cracked skin, especially heels — Sorbolene cream works well. Avoid applying moisturiser between the toes.
- Treat calluses carefully. A pumice stone is fine; blades and sharp instruments are not.
Protecting your feet from injury
If you've developed any circulation or sensation problems, this advice becomes especially important:
- Never go barefoot.
- Wear appropriate, well-fitting footwear for every activity — closed-in shoes for gardening or maintenance, sports shoes for exercise, and sandals (not open-toed) at the beach.
- Check inside your shoes for objects or folded lining before putting them on.
- Choose socks that fit well and avoid tight elastic tops or seams that could rub.
- Cut toenails along the natural shape of the toe, ideally after bathing when nails are soft. Avoid cutting down the sides.
- If you struggle to see or reach your feet, or if toenails are thick or ingrown, see a podiatrist.
- Use bed socks for cold feet rather than a hot water bottle, and keep feet away from radiant heaters.
- Always check bath water with your elbow before stepping in.
Getting your feet checked
All people with diabetes should have their feet examined at least once a year by a GP or podiatrist to detect problems early and prevent ulcers. If you already have circulation issues or neuropathy, more frequent checks may be recommended — talk to your care team about what's right for you.