Foot health
Everyone with diabetes should have an annual foot check. Your foot check is part of your annual review, which means you should have it as part of your diabetes care and it’s free on the NHS. This is because you are more likely to have serious foot problems and these can lead to amputations.
More information on foot health and annual foot check
Foot first aid
Emergency action plan
If your foot is red, hot, swollen and or if you have breaks in the skin (or wound), it is important that you get help quickly. If this happens, ring the hospital hot foot phone immediately.
- Telephone: 0113 2060741 (Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm)
If you are unable to get through to the hot foot phone, go to accident and emergency (A&E)
Please cover any breaks in the skin or blisters on your feet with a clean, sterile dressing.
Everyday action plan
- Follow the advice on this page.
- If you need foot advice from a podiatrist and your concern does not need the hospital, please contact the Leeds Community Podiatry Service
- Telephone: 0113 843 4158 on Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm
- Email: leedscommunitypodiatry@nhs.net
Think sepsis
Sepsis is life-threatening. It is the body ‘over-reacting’ to an infection. It used to be known as blood poisoning.
Without timely treatment, it can quickly lead to organ failure and death, but it is often treatable if caught quickly.
The signs of sepsis are:
- S: Slurred speech
- E: Extreme shivering
- P: Passing no urine
- S: Severe breathlessness
- I: It feels like you’re going to die
- S: Skin mottled or discoloured
Call 999 or visit A&E, if someone has sepsis symptoms.
Why is diabetes a risk to your feet?
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that can lead to serious problems, including those that affect your legs and feet. These problems happen when the nerves and blood vessels in your feet become damaged over time. This damage can be caused by age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood glucose and smoking. When this happens, it can:
- change the feeling in your feet (called peripheral neuropathy)
- reduce blood flow to your feet (called ischaemia)
These changes usually develop slowly, so you might not notice them at first.
What is my foot risk score and what does it mean?
Your practitioner will tell you your foot risk at your annual review. This could be low, moderate, or high risk of developing a foot problem. It is important to remember: if you have diabetes, you are always at risk of foot problems. Foot problems can happen to anyone with diabetes, regardless of your risk score, so acting quickly is vital.
Breaks in the skin or wounds may heal more slowly or sometimes not at all because of diabetes. These wounds can become infected and poor circulation and reduced feeling in your feet can make healing harder. This means you have a higher chance of serious foot problems, including infection and in some cases, amputation.
If you have had a wound or an amputation before, you will always be at higher risk of more wounds. Careful foot care and regular podiatry support will help reduce this risk.
What can I do to reduce my risk?
Smoking and vaping advice
The nicotine from smoking and vaping affects the blood supply to your feet and increases your risk of foot complications. If you smoke or vape, we strongly advise you to stop.
Act now by ringing 0800 169 4219 or visit the Stop Smoking website
Take your prescribed medications
The medicines you have been prescribed help to lower your risk of serious problems. This includes medications for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. If you are finding it hard to take them as directed, or if they are causing you difficulties, please contact your diabetes care provider for advice and support.
Your diabetes: Support and advice
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, Leeds offers programmes and peer support to help you manage your condition every day, from healthy eating to mental wellbeing. You can also get help with other challenges that make diabetes harder to manage, like money worries.
Annual flu jab
Having flu can make it harder for your body to fight infections and heal wounds. A long stay in bed with the flu can also increase your risk of a foot wound.
People living with diabetes can get a free NHS flu jab to reduce their risk of getting the flu. This is because people with diabetes are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from the flu.
What more can I do to keep my feet healthy?
Check your feet daily
You or your carer should check your feet every day for any blisters, breaks in the skin, pain or any signs of infection such as swelling, heat or redness.
- If you discover any breaks in the skin or blisters, cover them with a clean, sterile dressing.
- If you usually don’t feel pain because of nerve damage (neuropathy) and you suddenly have pain, it could mean you have an infection. Get help straight away.
- Do not burst blisters.
- If something isn’t right, follow the advice on the action plan above.
Wash your feet every day
Use warm water (body temperature about 36°C). Test the temperature with your elbow or ask someone to check it for you. Wash your feet with mild soap, rinse well, and dry carefully especially between your toes.
- Do not soak your feet as this can damage your skin.
- Do not use heat pads directly on your skin.
Skin care
If your skin is dry, apply a moisturising cream every day, but avoid the areas between your toes. Put sun cream on your feet when they are exposed to the sun.
Socks, stockings and tights
Change them every day. Choose ones without bulky seams and avoid elastic tops.
Avoid walking barefoot
Walking barefoot can lead to injuries from stubbing your toes or stepping on sharp objects.
Toenails, hard skin and corns
Your podiatrist will advise if you need podiatry support to manage your feet. Do not try to remove hard skin or corns yourself. Do not use over-the-counter corn treatments, they can damage your skin and cause wounds.
Check your shoes
Before putting shoes on, check the soles to make sure they are not damaged. Check the inside of each shoe to make sure there are no small stones or other items that could rub your foot. You can either shake your shoe or inspect it with your hand. Shoes that don’t fit well can cause pressure and skin damage. We recommend having the width and length of the foot measured.
Prescription shoes
If you have prescription shoes, wear only these. They are made for your feet and usually come with insoles, do not remove them unless your Podiatrist or Orthotist tells you to. Any repairs or changes should be done by the person who supplied them.
Avoid extreme temperatures
If your feet are cold, wear socks. Never warm your feet by sitting close to a fire. Remove hot water bottles or heating pads from your bed before getting in.
