Recognizing Early Signs of Infection in Diabetic Feet

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that requires more than just monitoring from your general doctor. When you have diabetes, you also need specialist podiatry care to prevent and treat foot infections.

To prevent potentially serious complications of diabetes in your feet, podiatrist Thomas Rambacher, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA, from Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle in Mission Viejo, California, recommends learning the early symptoms your foot is infected. Here are some of the most common signs of infection in diabetic feet and what you can do if you notice them.

The link between diabetes and foot infections

Diabetes increases blood sugar, which makes it harder for blood to circulate to your feet quickly. Healing cuts and sores is a more time-consuming process for your body, and the longer process increases your risk of infection during the healing process.

In addition to decreased circulation, you get fewer nerve signals in your feet, which makes it harder to feel symptoms of pain and swelling that normally signal a cut on your foot. It’s more challenging to notice cuts that could develop into infections without these pain signals.

Early signs of diabetic foot infections

By learning the early symptoms of diabetic foot infections, you reduce your risk of developing complications. A diabetic wound that isn’t treated quickly can lead to severe problems like systemic infections, gangrene, and amputation.

Early symptoms include:

Foot tingling or numbness

If your feet tingle or are numb, this can be a sign you have a common diabetes condition called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy indicates that your nerve signaling abilities have slowed down and that you have reduced sensation in your feet.

This isn’t an immediate emergency, but it means you need regular care from a podiatrist. You’re less likely to feel cuts and sores with peripheral neuropathy, making it more likely you’re in the early stages of infection without noticing.

Any sores, cracks, or cuts on your feet

Minor cuts, sores, or even cracks in the skin are more serious when you have diabetes. You’re at a greater risk of infection.

When you notice any foot wound, no matter how small, and have diabetes, you and our team need to watch and treat it carefully to ensure it heals properly.

Bumps and lumps on your feet

Like cuts and cracks, any masses, including corns, calluses, blisters, or warts, can lead to further complications. These issues also require quick treatment and careful monitoring.

Pain, swelling, and discoloration

If your foot is already infected, the signs are similar to those of an infection elsewhere in your body. The area might be swollen, painful, filled with pus, and red.

Because you might not feel pain as easily on diabetic feet, pay careful attention to visual signs of infection like obvious swelling and redness. Seek immediate care if you have diabetes and think your foot might be infected.

Treating diabetic foot infection

The earlier a foot infection gets caught, the easier it is to treat it. Treatment options our team might recommend include:

• Cleaning and bandaging the wound
• Wearing custom orthotics
• Special diabetic shoes
• Antibiotic medication

Our team also helps you develop a routine to prevent additional infections, including a diabetes-friendly diet, supportive footwear, and blood sugar monitoring. We work with your medical doctor to find the best interventions for your overall health.

Regular foot checkups are important for diabetics, even if you currently have no current symptoms of infection. Contact us to schedule a diabetic feet appointment.