Inability to feel a pebble in your shoe or a cut on your foot.
This is dangerous—small injuries can go unnoticed and become infected.
3. Slow-Healing Sores or Cuts
Wounds that take weeks to heal or won’t heal at all.
Poor circulation and impaired immune function delay recovery.
4. Dry, Cracked Skin
Diabetes can damage oil and sweat glands in the feet, leading to extreme dryness—even cracking, which invites infection.
5. Foot Ulcers (Open Sores)
Painless sores (due to numbness) on pressure points like the ball of the foot or heel.
A major cause of hospitalization in people with diabetes.
6. Changes in Foot Shape
“Charcot foot”—a rare but serious condition where weakened bones fracture and cause deformity (arch collapse, rocker-bottom foot). Often painless due to neuropathy.
7. Cold or Pale Feet
Poor circulation from peripheral artery disease (PAD)—common in diabetics—can make feet feel cold, look pale, or take on a bluish tint.
8. Thick, Yellow Toenails
Fungal infections (like onychomycosis) thrive in high-sugar environments and are more common in people with diabetes.
9. Swelling (Edema)
Fluid buildup due to poor circulation or kidney issues (diabetic nephropathy). Often worse at the end of the day.
10. Hair Loss on Toes or Legs
Reduced blood flow can cause hair to thin or disappear on the lower legs and feet—a subtle but telling sign.
🚨 When to See a Doctor Immediately
Any open sore, no matter how small
Redness, warmth, or drainage (signs of infection)
Sudden foot pain with no injury
Numbness or tingling that’s new or worsening
💡 Prevention Tip:
Check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, or redness. Wear well-fitting shoes, keep blood sugar in target range, and get a comprehensive foot exam at every doctor visit.

❤️ The Bottom Line
Your feet can’t “tell” you they’re in trouble if nerve damage is present—so you must look for them. These signs aren’t just about comfort—they’re critical warnings that your body needs help.

With early action, most diabetes-related foot problems are preventable. Don’t wait—your feet are counting on you.