When you have diabetes, prevent diabetic foot ulcers, a serious complication caused by nerve damage and poor circulation that can lead to infection and amputation. Also known as diabetic foot complications, these ulcers don’t just happen overnight—they’re the result of years of unmanaged blood sugar, ignored foot changes, and lack of routine care. The good news? Most of them are avoidable with consistent, simple habits.
One of the biggest risks is neuropathy, nerve damage that makes your feet numb. You might step on a sharp object, develop a blister, or get a small cut and not feel it until it’s infected. Without feeling pain, minor injuries turn into deep wounds. Then there’s peripheral artery disease, a condition where blood flow to your legs and feet is reduced. This slows healing and increases the chance of infection spreading. And none of this matters if your blood sugar control, the foundation of all diabetes management—is inconsistent. High glucose levels weaken your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight off even small infections.
Preventing these ulcers isn’t about expensive gadgets or complicated routines. It’s about checking your feet every day, wearing shoes that fit right, keeping skin moisturized (but not between the toes), and never walking barefoot—even at home. If you notice redness, swelling, a callus that won’t go away, or any break in the skin, don’t wait. See a provider right away. Most people who avoid amputations didn’t have perfect blood sugar—they just caught problems early and acted fast.
Below, you’ll find real, evidence-based advice from people who’ve been there—how to choose the right shoes, what to look for during daily foot checks, why some foot creams help and others make things worse, and how to talk to your doctor about nerve damage before it turns into an ulcer. These aren’t theory pieces. They’re the tools that keep people on their feet.
