diabetes It is a chronic disease that affects how the body processes and uses glucose from the food you eat. This occurs either when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Diabetes can also cause two types of problems in the Foot, namely diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease, according to the “Times of India” website.
In diabetic neuropathy, uncontrolled diabetes can affect and damage your nerves, while peripheral vascular disease also affects blood flow, causing many of the symptoms in the foot itself.
Some of the symptoms of diabetes in the foot to note are as follows:
Pain, numbness, and numbness in the legs and feet
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur in people with diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetic neuropathy often leads to nerve damage in the legs and feet, which is why symptoms include pain and numbness in the legs, feet, and hands.
Moreover, it can cause problems in the digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels, and heart.
While some people experience only mild symptoms, there are those whose symptoms can be very distressing.
foot ulcers
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open wound common in about 15% of diabetic patients, and is found primarily on the bottom of the foot. In mild cases, foot ulcers can erode the skin, however, in severe cases, they can lead to amputation. According to experts, the key is to reduce your risk of developing diabetes from an early age.
athlete’s foot
Nerve damage from diabetes can also increase the chances of developing foot complications, including athlete’s foot.
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that leads to itching, redness and cracking. It can affect one or both feet and will likely require medications to kill the fungus causing the infection.
callus
Diabetes can also cause a callus.
Calluses are usually caused by ill-fitting shoes or a skin problem. Calluses are caused by pressure from shoes that rub against your toes or cause friction between your toes, and it is a common problem among diabetics.
fungal nail infection
People with diabetes are also at risk of developing a fungal infection called onychomycosis, which usually affects the toenails. This results in discolored nails (yellowish brown or opaque), thick and brittle.
While in some cases the nail can separate from other toenails, in other cases, the nail may crumble and a fungal infection of the nail can also occur from infection.
gangrene
Because diabetes affects the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the fingers and toes, it can lead to gangrene and gangrene occurs when blood flow is cut off and tissues die. This may increase the chances of amputation.
foot deformities
Since diabetes can cause nerve damage, it can also weaken the foot muscles and lead to problems such as hammer toes and protruding metatarsal heads.