10. Changes in Foot Shape, Swelling, or Repeated Calluses
The final warning sign involves changes in the structure and appearance of your feet.
Diabetes-related nerve damage can sometimes affect the muscles and joints. In more advanced cases, a serious condition called Charcot foot can develop.
It may cause swelling, redness, warmth, and changes in the shape of the foot.
Another concern is the development of thick calluses. Repeated pressure can cause skin to become thicker, and bleeding beneath a callus may indicate an underlying wound.
Swelling can also have many other causes, including circulation problems, infections, and heart or kidney conditions.
A suddenly red, hot, swollen foot, especially in someone with diabetes or reduced sensation, needs urgent medical assessment even if it does not hurt.
How Can You Know Whether These Symptoms Are Related to Diabetes?
Recognizing symptoms is only the first step.
The only reliable way to determine whether you have diabetes is through appropriate blood testing.
Healthcare professionals commonly use:
1. HbA1c test: This measures average blood glucose over approximately the previous three months.
2. Fasting blood glucose test: This measures blood sugar after you have not eaten for a specified period.
3. Oral glucose tolerance test: This measures how your body responds to a glucose-containing drink.
A healthcare professional can determine which test is appropriate and interpret the results.
It is also important to remember that type 2 diabetes can develop without obvious symptoms. Some people only discover they have it during routine blood testing.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Feet?
Whether you have diabetes, are at risk of developing it, or simply want to protect your foot health, a few habits can make a meaningful difference.
- Inspect your feet daily: Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, and changes in your toenails.
- Wash and dry carefully: Pay special attention to the spaces between your toes.
- Choose comfortable footwear: Shoes should fit properly and avoid creating repeated pressure.
- Avoid walking barefoot: This reduces the risk of unnoticed injuries.
- Moisturize dry skin: Apply moisturizer to dry areas, but avoid putting it between your toes.
- Avoid treating calluses yourself: Do not use sharp blades or chemical corn removers, particularly if you have diabetes.
- Keep blood sugar under control: If you have diabetes, follow your healthcare professional’s treatment and monitoring recommendations.
- Attend regular checkups: People with diabetes should have their feet examined regularly, at least annually, and more frequently when they have additional risk factors.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that checking your feet every day can help identify problems before they become serious.
