For Diabetic people the extremities of the body are often in poor condition. The reasons for this are twofold; poor circulation and nerve damage.

High levels of sugar in the blood for any length of time damage the blood vessels which causes poor circulation throughout the body, with the furthest parts of the body most disadvantaged. Blood supplies the cells with energy and nutrients that serve to replenish the cells and help to regenerate new cells.

The capillaries are the thinnest of blood vessels and are often most affected by poor circulation. Capillaries supply blood to much of the nervous system. Without adequate supplies of blood the nervous system functions abnormally or sluggishly. This will often manifest as numbness and lack of sensation in the feet and legs.

This combination often leads to easily cut or bruised feet without any resulting pain being registered by the person. If this goes unnoticed for any length of time further complications with the feet can result. In worst case scenarios people need to have feet amputated. Thus it is important to develop a strict regime of foot care for diabetic patients.

Foot care is effectively a team responsibility. Doctors should encourage the person with diabetes to take an active role in monitoring the condition of their feet, taking any simple remedial actions that may be needed and notifying the professionals if the condition deteriorates or is beyond their capabilities. Despite the patient monitoring the state of his/her feet, an annual or six monthly check up of the feet should be performed by the patient's doctor. This may be more frequent if the feet are in a bad way.

The daily checking of the feet should include keeping nails trim so as to prevent ingrowing toenails or cuts on the feet caused by the nail. The feet should be washed thoroughly to remove any bacteria and germs. The feet should be dried after washing and nourished with skin cream. Common problems like calluses should be attended to.

Extra care should be taken with the feet. Shoes and socks should be comfortable and spacious for the feet to allow normal circulation of air round the feet. The socks should be of a material that won't cause irritation to the feet. Specialist shoes can be found for diabetics.

An annual check up of feet should establish how responsive the nerves in the feet are and the general condition of the feet. A doctor will conduct simple responsiveness tests by checking if the patient can feel varying levels of pressure when applied to the feet. This will tell the doctor if the condition has worsened since the last check-up and if the care of the feet has to be increased. The doctor can also check for ulcers and other problems with the feet.

Complications with the feet are one of the most common problems with diabetics so it is important to develop a regular foot care regime and have the discipline to stick with it.