Of every 100 diabetics, 15 will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. Of those, a small fraction will lose a toe or limb.
Almost all of that can be prevented with a 5-minute daily ritual most people never start.
Why feet are vulnerable in diabetes
Two reasons:
- Neuropathy. High blood sugar over time damages small nerves. You stop feeling small injuries — a pebble in the shoe, a hot floor, a tiny cut. By the time you notice, it has progressed.
- Reduced circulation. Damaged blood vessels deliver less oxygen and immune cells to the feet. Cuts heal slowly. Infections take hold easily.
Combined: small injuries you don't feel, that don't heal. That is the recipe for a foot ulcer.
The 5-minute daily foot check
- Inspect tops, sides, soles, between toes — use a mirror or ask a family member for hard-to-see spots
- Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, dry cracking, ingrown nails, discoloration
- Wash with lukewarm (not hot) water, dry thoroughly especially between toes
- Moisturise the soles and tops but NOT between toes (encourages fungal growth)
- Trim nails straight across, not curved — reduces ingrown risk
Footwear basics
- Never walk barefoot, even indoors
- Always check inside shoes for pebbles or rough spots before wearing
- Properly fitted shoes — thumb's width between toes and shoe end
- Diabetic socks (seamless, non-constricting) if you have neuropathy
- New shoes — break in slowly, check feet daily for blisters
When to call a doctor immediately
Any wound that does not heal in 1-2 days, any redness spreading from a wound, any black/purple discoloration, any pus, any fever with a foot wound. These are not "wait and watch" situations.