Diabetic Foot Care: Signs of Trouble & When to See a Doctor

Diabetic foot problems often start small, like a dry crack at the heel, a sore spot from a tight shoe, or a numb area you barely notice. But diabetes can damage nerves and reduce blood flow, leading to poor circulation in the feet, loss of sensation, and slow-healing foot wounds, which makes injuries harder to feel and slower to heal.

The CDC reports that about 12% of people with diabetes develop a diabetic foot ulcer during their lifetime, and diabetes-related nerve damage and reduced circulation make these wounds more likely to get infected. Complications from these infections can become serious and even lead to amputation in severe cases. This is why foot care is so important for people with diabetes. 

Read on to learn more about how adequate foot care can help prevent serious complications and where to find a podiatrist who provides the best diabetic foot care in Los Angeles.

How Diabetes Causes Circulation Problems

High or irregular blood sugar levels for people with diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels. Diabetic nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy, dulls pain and temperature sensation, so a small cut or skin breakdown from a shoe that rubs the wrong way may go unnoticed until infection sets in. 

Diabetes can also reduce blood flow, which means less oxygen and fewer infection-fighting cells reach a wound, slowing healing and increasing the risk of infection. Nerve damage and reduced circulation together make foot wounds harder to heal and more likely to develop into diabetic foot ulcers that can progress to deep tissue infections.

Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy can be confusing because the early warning signs of nerve damage in the feet are often subtle and easy to brush off. While some people have no symptoms at all, others may experience symptoms like: 

• Faint tingling that comes and goes, like pins and needles
• A burning feeling that usually flares up at night or when you’re at rest
• Sharp, jabbing pain
• Numbness

Neuropathy can lower your ability to feel pain, heat, or cold, and that raises your risk of having an injury you don’t know about or can’t feel when a small injury is getting worse. 

Why Diabetic Foot Care Matters 

Diabetic foot care is an essential step in lowering your risk of diabetic foot ulcers, infections, invasive procedures, and amputation. Proper diabetic foot care includes: 

• Regularly inspecting the toes, nails, and feet for small injuries, including sore spots, dry skin, and fungal infections
• Careful nail care that avoids cutting the nails or cuticles too short 

Tips for At-Home Diabetic Foot Care

A simple daily foot routine can catch problems before they turn into a slow-healing sore: 

• Once a day, take a few minutes to look over both feet in good lighting
• Check for cuts, redness, swelling, blisters, corns, calluses, or any spot that looks shiny, dark, or rubbed raw
• If you can’t see the bottom of your feet very well, use a mirror or your phone camera so you don’t miss a split in the skin near the heel or a tender area under the toes
• Wash your feet in warm water that feels comfortable on your hands, then dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes
• If you notice thick calluses or corns, do not cut or shave them yourself, since a tiny nick can turn into a bigger wound without much warning
• Protect your feet all day and night by avoiding being barefoot, even in your house, because one sharp edge or hot surface can cause damage fast
• Choose shoes that fit well without pinching or rubbing, and pair them with clean socks
• Check inside your shoes for any rough seams or foreign objects before putting them on
• Keep your toenails trimmed straight across 
• If you are unable to do your own foot checks and nail care safely on your own, regular visits to a podiatrist can help

Signs of a Diabetic Foot Ulcer 

A diabetic foot ulcer usually starts as something that looks harmless, like a blister on the side of your toe, a crack in the heel, or a sore spot that keeps rubbing inside your shoe. If that area starts getting bigger, deeper, or more raw-looking, it needs prompt medical care because diabetes can make wounds harder to heal and more likely to get infected. A key warning sign is a cut or sore that is not healing or keeps reopening, even if it does not hurt much. Remember, diabetic nerve damage can dull pain and allow damage to build in the background. 

Pay close attention to drainage or oozing, as many people first notice a wet spot on their sock or a stain in the shoe, which can signal an infection. If you see fluid, pus, spreading redness, swelling, warmth, or a new odor from the wound, have it checked right away. 

When to See a Podiatrist for Diabetic Foot Care 

You should see a podiatrist for diabetic foot care if you have:

• Numbness or tingling
• New pain or burning sensations
• Thick calluses or corns
• Ingrown nails
• Cracks in the skin of your feet that keep splitting open
• Any blister or cut that is not healing

Additionally, you should see a podiatrist if you are unable to properly check or care for your feet at home. A podiatrist can identify pressure points and skin changes you might miss, safely trim nails and calluses, and treat small wounds before they become ulcers or infections. 

Finding the Best Diabetic Foot Care in Los Angeles

Diabetics are at a higher risk of neuropathy and infections in their feet because of nerve damage, reduced blood flow, and because the feet are often overlooked in daily hygiene routines. Choosing a podiatrist you can trust is an important step in ensuring the health of your feet and protecting your independence. 

‍Dr. Megan Ishibashi provides personalized, patient-centered care that starts with careful listening and thorough exams. As a fellowship-trained, board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Ishibashi brings a deep expertise in wound care, circulation-aware treatment planning, and minimally invasive techniques that support healing while preserving function and mobility. 

At KIN Foot and Ankle, we prioritize minimally invasive treatment options when appropriate, and we explain the rationale behind every recommendation so you feel confident about the next steps. We’ve also built KIN to be welcoming and inclusive, because feeling heard matters when you’re dealing with something as stressful as diabetic foot care. For patients who need flexibility, we offer select telehealth visits for consultations and second opinions. 

Ready to protect your health and mobility with expert diabetic foot care from the best podiatrist in Los Angeles?