Diabetic Foot Care Symptoms

• Persistent pain can be a symptom of sprain, strain, bruise, overuse, improperly fitting shoes, or underlying infection.

• Redness can be a sign of infection, especially when surrounding a wound, or of abnormal rubbing of shoes or socks.

• Swelling of the feet or legs can be a sign of underlying inflammation or infection, improperly fitting shoes, or poor venous circulation. Other signs of poor circulation include the following:
  
  
  • Pain in the legs or buttocks that increases with walking but improves with rest (claudication)
    
    
  • Hair no longer growing on the lower legs and feet
    
    
  • Hard shiny skin on the legs

• Localized warmth can be a sign of infection or inflammation, perhaps from wounds that won't heal or that heal slowly.

• Any break in the skin is serious and can result from abnormal wear and tear, injury, or infection. Calluses and corns may be a sign of chronic trauma to the foot. Toenail fungus, athlete's foot, and ingrown toenails may lead to more serious bacterial infections.

• Drainage of pus from a wound is usually a sign of infection. Persistent bloody drainage is also a sign of a potentially serious foot problem.

• A limp or difficulty walking can be sign of joint problems, serious infection, or improperly fitting shoes.

• Fever or chills in association with a wound on the foot can be a sign of a limb-threatening or life-threatening infection.

• Red streaking away from a wound or redness spreading out from a wound is a sign of a progressively worsening infection.

• New or lasting numbness in the feet or legs can be a sign of nerve damage from diabetes, which increases a persons risk for leg and foot problems.