Diabetes causes high blood sugar, which leads to many health issues. Your feet are especially vulnerable to damage from diabetes, causing problems like: 

Peripheral neuropathy

Up to 50% of people with diabetes experience peripheral neuropathy. The condition occurs when high blood sugar damages your nerves, resulting in sensation issues like tingling and numbness. Many people with peripheral neuropathy lose feeling in part of their feet. 

Numbness prevents you from feeling injuries that you can’t see, like those on the soles of your feet. This can lead to overlooked injuries that can worsen. For example, a cut could widen, open, and become a non-healing ulcer. 

And, if you can’t feel your feet, you’re more prone to stumbling and obtaining other injuries.

Vascular disease

More than 32% of all people with diabetes experience vascular disease. Vascular disease causes narrowing of your blood vessels. 

The condition reduces the amount of blood reaching your legs and feet. Without adequate blood, wounds don’t get the oxygen and nutrients needed to heal properly and are prone to infections. As a result, many people with vascular disease experience considerable difficulty healing from even minor injuries. 

Peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease present serious threats to your health and well-being. For example, foot ulcers can cause damage that spreads inwards, destroying tissue and damaging bone. 

Without treatment, a minor cut, blister, corn, or callus could eventually lead to an amputation. Diabetic foot care at Align Foot & Ankle can help you avoid serious complications.