For Canadians living with diabetes, diabetic foot problems are one of the most serious — and most preventable — complications of the disease. When blood sugar stays too high for too long, it can damage nerves and blood vessels throughout the body. This puts your feet, skin, kidneys, eyes, and heart at serious risk. In this article, we explain the most common diabetic foot and skin problems, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Why Diabetes Affects Your Feet
Diabetes creates two major threats to your feet. Understanding both can help you take action early.
Diabetic Neuropathy
When blood sugar is poorly controlled, it can damage the nerves in your feet and legs. This is called diabetic neuropathy. As a result, you may lose the ability to feel heat, cold, or pain in your feet. A small cut or blister can go unnoticed for days — and quickly become a serious infection.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Diabetes also affects how well blood flows through your body. Poor circulation in the legs and feet is known as peripheral vascular disease. When blood flow is reduced, wounds heal much more slowly. In severe cases, an infection that will not heal can lead to gangrene — the death of tissue from lack of blood supply.
According to Health Canada, more than half of all diabetes-related amputations could be prevented with proper foot care. That is a powerful reason to take these risks seriously.
Common Diabetic Foot Problems and What They Look Like
Many foot conditions can affect anyone. However, for people with diabetes, even a minor issue can turn into a major complication. Here are the most common diabetic foot problems to watch for.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that causes itching, redness, and cracked skin between the toes. For someone with diabetes, those cracks in the skin are a doorway for bacteria and infection. Treatment usually involves antifungal creams or pills, available through your family doctor or pharmacist.
Fungal Nail Infections
A nail infected by fungus may turn yellow-brown or dull in colour, thicken, and become brittle. It may even separate from the nail bed. Warm, dark, moist shoes create the perfect environment for fungus to grow. Your doctor may prescribe oral medication or recommend regular removal of damaged nail tissue.
Calluses
A callus is a build-up of hard skin, usually on the bottom of the foot or heel. It often forms from uneven weight distribution or poorly fitting shoes. After a bath or shower, you can gently use a pumice stone to soften the area. Never try to cut or shave a callus with a sharp object — this can cause a serious wound.
Corns
Corns are thickened, hardened areas of skin that form near a toe bone or between the toes. They develop from pressure caused by tight shoes. Like calluses, a pumice stone used gently after bathing can help. Do not use over-the-counter corn removal products without speaking to your doctor first, as these can damage surrounding skin.
Dry Skin
Diabetic neuropathy can interfere with the nerves that tell your skin to stay moist. As a result, the skin on your feet may become very dry and begin to crack. Cracked skin lets germs in and can lead to infection. Use a gentle moisturising lotion daily — but avoid applying it between your toes, where excess moisture can encourage fungus.
Foot Ulcers
A foot ulcer is a break in the skin or a deep wound that can become infected. Ulcers often start as small cuts or slow-healing scrapes caused by rubbing from ill-fitting shoes. This is one of the most serious diabetic foot problems and requires prompt medical attention. Do not attempt to treat a foot ulcer at home — see your family doctor or visit a walk-in clinic right away.
Other Foot Conditions Linked to Diabetes
In addition to the conditions above, people with diabetes are also at higher risk for a few other foot problems. These are worth knowing about so you can spot them early.
Hammer Toe
A hammer toe bends at the middle joint due to a weakened muscle. This shortens the tendon and causes the toe to curl downward. It can run in families and is made worse by wearing shoes that are too tight or too short. Hammer toe can cause blisters, calluses, and difficulty walking. Splints or corrective footwear may help, and surgery is sometimes needed in severe cases.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails happen when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin. This causes pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. Common causes include tight shoes, improper trimming, and repetitive activities like running or walking. The best prevention is to trim your nails straight across — do not cut the corners.
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts grow on the soles of the feet and are caused by a viral infection. They can look like small, rough growths and may feel like a pebble in your shoe. For people with diabetes, any growth or wound on the foot deserves professional attention. Do not attempt to remove plantar warts at home.
Skin Complications Beyond the Feet
Diabetes does not only affect your feet. It can also cause several skin conditions across the whole body. According to the Mayo Clinic, skin problems are often one of the first visible signs of diabetes.
These conditions may include bacterial infections like impetigo, fungal rashes in skin folds, or a condition called acanthosis nigricans — dark, velvety patches of skin around the neck or armpits. If you notice unusual skin changes, mention them to your family doctor. Many of these conditions are treatable when caught early.
Furthermore, people with diabetes often experience slower wound healing anywhere on the body, not just the feet. This makes it even more important to keep all skin clean, moisturised, and protected from injury.
How to Protect Your Feet Every Day
Good daily habits can go a long way in preventing serious diabetic foot problems. Here are practical steps you can start today.
Inspect your feet daily. Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or nail problems. Use a mirror to check the bottom of your feet.
Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.
Moisturise daily to prevent dry, cracked skin. Avoid applying lotion between the toes.
Trim nails straight across and file the edges gently. Do not cut too short or round the corners.
Wear well-fitting shoes and clean socks. Avoid walking barefoot, even indoors.
Keep blood sugar in your target range. This is the single most powerful way to prevent nerve and circulation damage.
Quit smoking if you smoke. Smoking worsens blood flow and significantly increases the risk of amputation.
Healthline’s guide on diabetic foot care offers additional tips for building a daily foot care routine that works.
When to See a Doctor
Do not wait to seek help if you notice any of the following signs. With diabetes, a small problem can become a big one within days.
Visit your family doctor — or a walk-in clinic if your regular doctor is not available — if you notice any of the following:
A cut, blister, or sore that is not healing after a few days
Redness, warmth, or swelling in any part of the foot
Numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in the feet
An ingrown toenail with signs of infection
Any new growth, discolouration, or unusual skin change
A wound with discharge or an unpleasant odour
Most provincial health plans in Canada cover visits for diabetes-related complications. Your family doctor can also refer you to a podiatrist — a foot specialist — or a diabetes educator for more personalised care. Always consult your doctor before starting any new foot treatment at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetic Foot Problems
What are the early warning signs of diabetic foot problems?
Early signs of diabetic foot problems include numbness or tingling in the feet, dry or cracked skin, slow-healing cuts or blisters, and changes in skin colour or temperature. You may also notice thickened or discoloured toenails. Catching these signs early is key to preventing serious complications.
Can diabetic foot problems lead to amputation?
Yes, in severe cases, untreated diabetic foot problems can lead to gangrene and amputation. However, Health Canada notes that more than half of diabetes-related amputations are preventable with proper foot care and blood sugar management. Seeing your doctor early makes a significant difference.
How often should someone with diabetes check their feet?
People with diabetes should inspect their feet every single day. This includes checking between the toes, the soles, and around the nails for any cuts, blisters, or changes in colour or temperature. Daily checks are one of the simplest ways to prevent serious diabetic foot problems from developing.
What kind of shoes should people with diabetes wear?
People with diabetes should wear well-fitting, supportive shoes with soft insoles and no rough interior seams. Avoid high heels, open-toed shoes, and walking barefoot, even at home. A podiatrist or your family doctor can recommend specialised footwear if needed to reduce the risk of diabetic foot problems.
Is athlete’s foot more dangerous for people with diabetes?
Yes, athlete’s foot is more concerning for people with diabetes because the cracked skin it causes can allow bacteria to enter and cause a deeper infection. Because of reduced sensation and poor circulation, these infections can become serious before you even notice them. Treat any signs of athlete’s foot promptly and speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
Does my provincial health plan cover diabetic foot care in Canada?
Most provincial health plans in Canada cover visits to your family doctor or walk-in clinic for diabetes-related foot concerns. Some provinces also offer coverage for diabetes education programmes and referrals to specialists like podiatrists. Check with your provincial health authority or family doctor for details on what is covered in your area.
Key Takeaways
Diabetic foot problems are a serious but largely preventable complication of diabetes.
Nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation (peripheral vascular disease) are the two main reasons diabetes harms your feet.
Common conditions include athlete’s foot, fungal nail infections, calluses, corns, dry skin, ulcers, hammer toe, and ingrown toenails.
Daily foot inspections, proper hygiene, well-fitting footwear, and good blood sugar control are your best defences.
Do not try to treat serious foot issues at home — see your family doctor or visit a walk-in clinic promptly.
Most provincial health plans cover care for diabetes-related complications. Use the healthcare resources available to you.
