Diabetes can include complications, especially if not treated early. Persons with diabetes are more likely to get infections of the skin, particularly of the feet. The feet are very susceptible to many forms of trauma that can result in infection. Pain may not be associated with infection or trauma to the foot. Risks increase with ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, blisters, and poor fitting shoes.

Symptoms may include:

• New sores or ulcers (open wounds) that take a very long time to heal.
• Dry, scaly skin occasionally with blisters, boils, or corns.
• Yeast infection (red rash with sharp raised borders and white scales) in the skin folds, especially in the underarms, under breasts, genitals, and anal areas.
• Athlete's foot (dry, itchy skin with blisters due to a fungus).
• Skin redness, bruising, and cracks.
• Thick calluses and corns on the feet.
• Unusual, persistent warmth or coolness, numbness, or muscle weakness.

What your doctor can do:

• Diagnose the problem by asking about your symptoms, doing a physical exam, and ordering laboratory blood tests, if necessary.
• Prescribe medications to treat the symptoms and possible infections.

What you can do:

• Take good care of your feet. Seek early treatment for sores, ulcers, or infection.
• Wash feet daily with soap and warm (not hot) water.
• Dry feet thoroughly and gently, especially between the toes.
• Powder the feet once a week with talcum when feet are thoroughly dry. Avoid using in between toes.
• Rub lanolin into the feet to keep the skin free from scales and dryness; but do not rub so vigorously that the feet become tender.
• Exercise your toes by curling and stretching them 20 times a day.
• Avoid cutting corns or calluses or removing them with medicines. Consult your doctor for the removal of these.
• When visiting your foot doctor, inform them that you are diabetic.
• Use lamb's wool to separate overlapping or close toes.
• Avoid walking barefoot.
• Shoes should be soft leather that are not too tight; break in new shoes slowly (about 1 hour a day). Inspect your shoes regularly for cracks and foreign objects (ie. pebbles)
• Avoid using hot water bottles or electric heating pads to warm feet in bed.
• Avoid wearing garters, knee-hi hose, or sitting cross-legged, as they tend to decrease blood circulation to the feet.
• Avoid loose socks with raised seams. Wear thin cotton socks and change once a day to prevent moisture and prevent athlete's foot and other skin infections.
• Continue the diabetic diet as prescribed.
• Additional information is available from the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-232-3472.

What you can expect:

• Diabetes is a life-long illness.
• Possible complications include serious foot infections, gangrene (death and decay of part of the body due to loss of an adequate blood supply), and amputation (removal of a body part or limb).
• With appropriate care, many complications can be avoided.
• Contact your doctor if you have diabetes and need skin and foot evaluations, or if your symptoms persist or worsen despite receiving treatment.