Diabetic Foot

If you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, this can damage your nerves or blood vessels. Nerve damage from diabetes can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. You may not feel a cut, a blister or a sore. Foot injuries such as these can cause ulcers and infections. Serious cases may even lead to amputation. Damage to the blood vessels can also mean that your feet do not get enough blood and oxygen. It is harder for your foot to heal, if you do get a sore or infection.

You can help avoid foot problems. First, control your blood sugar levels. Good foot hygiene is also crucial.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

External Resources

Great Lakes Home Healthcare Services - Diabetic supplies, bath safety, foot care, sports medicine, and breastfeeding supplies.

Velmark Health Services - Diabetic products, foot care, and bathroom safety.

National Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Provide services to patients with paralysis associated with prior strokes, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. Also patients with diabetic foot ulcers, poor healing wounds, diabetic peripheral neuropathy and recent skin grafts or plastic surgery.

Diabetes Handbook - Presents chapters about the types of diabetes, how to cope, monitoring, exercise, diet, medication, foot care, traveling, and sick day management.

DiabeticQuest - A diabetic's mission to build a 30 foot cataraman and sail solo from the U.S. to Australia to prove that diabetes should not limit a person's dreams.

Amputation in Diabetes - A life story of a diabetic amputee and how diabetic foot problems develop and eventually lead to amputation.

Diabetic Foot Ulcers - Causes and cures.

Diabetes Foot Clinic - Guide on diabetic foot care, foot problem diagnosis and prevention.

The Diabetic Foot - Advice to help diabetics care for the special needs of their feet.

Diabetic Foot Care - Information on diabetic footcare, wound care services, and customized footwear for diabetics.

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