3 Subtle Diabetic Warning Signs in Your Feet
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes or are working to manage your health, we at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists need you to know that the feet are one of the first places your body sends warning signals. The signs of diabetes are often subtle, but they are clues that your blood sugar levels might be affecting your nerves and circulation. In the spirit of National Diabetes Awareness Month, let’s go over what these subtle signs are.
The Unexplained Tingles and Numbness
One of the most important things to watch for is a change in sensation. You might notice a strange tingling, especially in your toes or the ball of your foot. You may mistake this for Morton’s Neuroma or some nerve injury, but this can progress into outright numbness.
It might start subtly—maybe you feel less sensitive to the coldness of the floor, or you don’t realize when your shoe is rubbing. But these feelings are often the early whispers of peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels over time.
Cold Feet and Skin Changes
With diabetes, sensation and circulation go hand in hand (or foot in foot).
If your blood vessels are being affected by sugar levels, you might notice that your feet feel consistently cold, even when the rest of your body is warm (especially in the desert). This is a sign of poor circulation.
Along with coldness, look at the skin itself. Is it unusually dry, thin, or shiny? Does the hair on your toes seem to be thinning out? These seemingly small changes are actually signs that the tissues in your feet aren’t getting the nutrients they need, which hinders your body’s ability to heal.
Cramps, Aches, and Slow Healing
Another sign of potential circulatory issues is pain or cramping in your calves and feet, particularly when you walk. If you feel tired or achy and the pain goes away when you stop walking, you should talk to your podiatrist about Peripheral Artery Disease. This might mean that your leg muscles aren’t getting enough blood during activity.
Perhaps the biggest red flag your feet can send is a slow-healing wound. If you get a small scrape or cut, and it lingers for weeks without showing signs of closing, it’s an indicator that your circulation and healing processes are slow.
Making Daily Foot Check a Habit
We say it to all our diabetic patients: know that dealing with a chronic condition is a lot to manage, but embracing a simple, daily foot check is one of your best practices.
If you’re experiencing foot pain, discomfort, or changes in how you walk, come see the expert team at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists. With locations in Tucson and Oro Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, and Zeno Pfau, D.P.M., are here for you. Call us at (520) 575-0800 or contact us online!
