A diabetic foot can develop gradually. Minor pressure points, dry skin or injuries sometimes go unnoticed with diabetes. This makes it all the more important to correctly interpret the first signs and seek professional advice in good time.
What is a diabetic foot?
The term diabetic foot describes changes to the feet that can occur in connection with diabetes mellitus. Two factors often play an important role: reduced blood circulation and nerve damage. This can make it harder to perceive pressure, pain, heat or minor injuries.
At the same time, reduced blood circulation can contribute to the skin reacting more sensitively and changes subsiding more slowly. This is precisely why attention is important: small cracks, blisters or pressure points may seem harmless at first, but should be taken seriously with diabetes, because a diabetic foot is not purely a care issue, but a medically relevant risk area.
Causes and risk factors of diabetic foot
A diabetic foot usually does not arise from a single trigger. Several factors often come together:
- Nerve damage: With diabetic neuropathy, numbness, tingling or reduced pain sensation may occur. Pressure points or minor injuries are therefore sometimes noticed late.
- Circulatory disorders: Poorer blood circulation can contribute to the skin becoming more sensitive and changes regressing more slowly.
- Dry, cracked skin: Diabetes can strain the skin barrier. Dry skin can tear more easily and therefore needs particularly careful care.
- Pressure from shoes: Shoes that are too tight, hard seams or poorly fitting insoles can promote pressure points.
- Calluses and foot deformities: Thickened calluses can increase pressure. Foot deformities also change the load when walking.
- Previous foot wounds: Anyone who has already had open areas, poorly healing skin changes or podiatric problems should be particularly attentive.
What are the typical signs of a diabetic foot?
A diabetic foot does not always present with pain. With diabetes, it is important to check the skin on your feet regularly. Dry, cracked skin, pressure points or minor injuries should not only be cared for, but above all monitored carefully. This is because reduced pain sensation can mean changes go unnoticed.
This is exactly what makes regular checks so important. Pay particular attention to:
- dry, flaky or cracked skin
- pressure points, blisters or calluses
- redness, swelling or overheating
- numbness, tingling or burning
- cold feet or changed skin colour
- minor injuries that heal poorly
- deformed nails or ingrown nail edges
- unpleasant odour or weeping areas of skin
Important: Even if an area does not hurt, it may be relevant. With diabetes, any open or noticeable skin change should be professionally assessed at an early stage.
Skin-friendly cleansing, thorough drying and suitable care can support the skin barrier and are part of the foot care routine for diabetes mellitus.
Supportive care for diabetic feet
For dry, sensitive or stressed foot skin, Spirularin® HF Mousse can complement daily care. The mousse is developed for very dry skin and feet and is also suitable for sensitive skin, including for people with diabetes. It contains urea as well as the microalgae active ingredient Spiralin® and absorbs quickly without leaving an unpleasant greasy film. If there are open areas or noticeable skin changes, professional advice should be sought before use.
Everyday life and prevention of diabetic foot
In addition to care, simple habits help to relieve the feet in everyday life with diabetes:
- Wear well-fitting, breathable shoes.
- Change socks daily.
- Do not walk barefoot in public areas.
- Avoid pressure points caused by tight shoes.
- Do not aggressively remove calluses yourself.
- Use podiatric support if nails, calluses or pressure points cause problems.
- Discuss foot changes with diabetes early on at your practice.
Regular professional checks are particularly important if neuropathy, circulatory disorders, foot deformities or previous wounds are already known.
When to see an expert?
Be sure to have foot changes with diabetes checked early by a doctor, diabetologist or podiatrist if you notice any of the following:
- open areas or wounds
- blisters that do not subside quickly
- redness, swelling or overheating
- pus, weeping or unpleasant odour
- black, bluish or severely discoloured areas of skin
- new numbness or burning
- increasing pain
- ingrown nails
- severe calluses or pressure points
With diabetes, the rule is: it is better to ask once too early than to observe a change for too long.
Conclusion
A diabetic foot often develops gradually and may go unnoticed for a long time without pain. Regular checks, attention to warning signs and early professional assessment of abnormalities are therefore crucial. Care can support the skin barrier, but it does not replace medical assessment in the case of wounds, signs of inflammation or persistent symptoms.
Questions? Our experts can be contacted by email at: info(at)ocean-pharma.de.
