Diabetes & Foot Care
Protect your feet and reduce the risk of complications
Good foot care is an important part of living with diabetes. Explore practical advice on daily foot checks, recognising warning signs and keeping your feet healthy with expert, podiatrist-written guidance.
At a Glance
Why is foot care important if I have diabetes?
Diabetes can affect the circulation and feeling in your feet, making it harder to notice injuries and slower for wounds to heal. Looking after your feet and checking them regularly can help reduce the risk of serious complications.
How often should I check my feet?
It's recommended that you check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling or any changes to the skin or nails. Spotting problems early can make them much easier to treat.
When should I seek professional advice?
You should seek advice promptly if you notice a wound, ulcer, signs of infection, increasing redness or swelling, or any sudden changes to your feet. If you have diabetes, it's always better to have new foot problems assessed early.
Explore all diabetes & foot care guides
Explore our full collection of expert articles offering insight and advice around diabetic foot care
Diabetes & Foot Care
Why Diabetes Affects Your Feet
Diabetes can affect the health of your feet by reducing blood flow and damaging the nerves that allow you to feel pain, temperature and injury. As a result, small cuts, blisters or pressure areas may go unnoticed and can take longer to heal, increasing the risk of infection and more serious complications. The good news is that many diabetes-related foot problems can be prevented through regular foot care, early detection and routine foot assessments. Understanding how diabetes can affect your feet is the first step towards protecting them.
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Daily Foot Checks
Checking your feet every day is one of the most effective ways to spot problems early. Look for cuts, blisters, swelling, redness, cracks in the skin, changes in colour or temperature, and any wounds that aren't healing. If you find it difficult to examine the soles of your feet, using a mirror or asking someone to help can make daily checks easier. Recognising changes early can often prevent more serious complications from developing.
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Preventing Complications
Looking after your feet should form part of your daily diabetes routine. Wearing well-fitting footwear, keeping your feet clean and dry, moisturising dry skin (but not between the toes) and attending your routine diabetic foot assessments can all help reduce your risk. Managing your blood sugar levels and addressing any new foot problems promptly also play an important role in maintaining healthy feet and preventing complications.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If you notice an open wound, ulcer, increasing redness or swelling, signs of infection, or a sudden change in the colour or temperature of your foot, seek medical advice as soon as possible. These symptoms should never be ignored if you have diabetes. Even minor foot injuries can become more serious if left untreated. Seeking advice early gives the best chance of successful treatment and can help prevent complications. And if in doubt, it's always better to get it checked.
Protecting Your Feet for the Future
Healthy feet are an important part of living well with diabetes. By making foot care part of your daily routine and recognising potential problems early, you can significantly reduce your risk of future complications. Regular foot checks, appropriate footwear and routine podiatry care all play an important role in protecting your feet and helping you stay active and independent.
