Diabetic Foot Care in Lakeland, FL
Diabetes can affect sensation, circulation, and the health of your feet. Dr. William S. Wong provides podiatric evaluations and individualized foot-care recommendations to help patients with diabetes identify problems early and protect their foot health.
Dr. William S. Wong, DPM
A graduate of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Dr. Wong provides foot and ankle care for patients in Lakeland, Florida.
25+ Years in BusinessWhy Is Diabetic Foot Care Important?
Diabetes can increase the risk of foot problems, particularly when nerve damage or reduced circulation makes injuries harder to notice or heal.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy may reduce your ability to feel pain, heat, pressure, or an injury. A small cut, blister, or sore can therefore go unnoticed.
Diabetes can also affect circulation and the body's ability to respond to infection. When these problems occur together, even a relatively small foot wound may become serious.
Routine foot examinations, appropriate daily care, and attention to changes in your skin, nails, or sensation can help identify potential concerns. Foot care works alongside diabetes management by your primary care physician or diabetes specialist.
Schedule a diabetic foot evaluation →
Diabetic Foot Problems to Watch For
Some foot problems develop gradually. Others can become serious quickly. Regular inspection is especially important because nerve damage may reduce pain.
Numbness or Tingling
Reduced sensation, pins-and-needles feelings, or burning discomfort may be signs of peripheral neuropathy.
Cuts, Blisters, or Sores
Breaks in the skin may be difficult to detect if sensation is reduced. Wounds that do not heal normally require medical attention.
Redness or Swelling
New redness, warmth, or swelling may indicate inflammation, pressure injury, infection, or another problem needing evaluation.
Changes in Skin Color
Unusual pale, blue, red, or darkened areas of skin can be associated with circulation problems, injury, or other medical concerns.
Dry Skin and Cracks
Dryness, peeling, or deep cracks may create openings through which bacteria can enter, particularly when the skin becomes damaged.
Nail or Foot Shape Changes
Thickened nails, pressure calluses, or changes in foot shape may increase irritation and deserve attention during a diabetic foot examination.
Foot Problems May Occur Without Pain
When diabetic neuropathy affects sensation, a wound or injury may not hurt. Do not rely on pain alone to determine whether your feet are healthy. Check your feet every day and seek prompt care for new wounds, signs of infection, or unexpected changes.
How Diabetes Affects Your Feet
Diabetes-related foot problems often involve more than one factor. Understanding these risks helps explain why regular foot examinations are important.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Nerve damage can reduce sensation or cause tingling, burning, and pain. A person with reduced feeling may not notice a shoe rubbing, a blister, or an object inside the shoe.
Reduced Blood Flow
Some people with diabetes develop peripheral artery disease. Reduced circulation can make wounds slower to heal and increases the importance of identifying injuries early.
Pressure and Skin Breakdown
Calluses, poorly fitting shoes, and changes in foot shape may create areas of concentrated pressure. Repeated pressure can contribute to skin injury or ulcer formation.
Infection and Wound Complications
An untreated wound may become infected. The risk of complications can increase when reduced sensation, poor circulation, or difficulties managing blood sugar are also present.
What Happens During a Diabetic Foot Exam?
A diabetic foot examination looks for changes in sensation, skin health, circulation, and foot structure that could increase the risk of injury.
The examination also provides an opportunity to discuss current symptoms, footwear, previous foot problems, and appropriate preventive care.
Medical History and Risk Review
Discussion of diabetes history, numbness or pain, previous wounds, footwear, circulation concerns, and other factors that may influence foot health.
Skin, Nail, and Foot Examination
Inspection for cuts, calluses, nail changes, pressure areas, swelling, and changes in foot shape or joint alignment.
Sensation and Circulation Assessment
Appropriate testing may include checking protective sensation and foot pulses. Further vascular assessment or referral may be recommended when needed.
Diabetic Foot Care and Treatment Options
Your foot-care recommendations depend on your individual risk factors, examination findings, and existing medical conditions. Some patients need routine monitoring, while others may require more focused care.
Routine Diabetic Foot Exams
Regular examinations can identify changes in sensation, skin condition, circulation, or foot structure before problems become more serious.
Footwear and Pressure Protection
Properly fitted shoes and appropriate pressure-relieving measures may help reduce rubbing and injury. Patients with specific risks may need specialized footwear recommendations.
Skin, Nail, and Callus Assessment
Evaluation of thickened nails, calluses, dry skin, and pressure areas can help determine whether professional care or changes in daily foot-care habits are needed.
Neuropathy Risk Management
Patients with reduced sensation may benefit from education about daily inspections, avoiding injury, footwear choices, and when to seek medical attention.
Wound Assessment and Referral
Cuts, ulcers, or wounds that are not healing require prompt evaluation. Treatment or referral depends on the wound, infection risk, and circulation status.
Coordinated Ongoing Foot Care
Diabetic foot health is part of overall diabetes management. Coordination with your primary care physician and other specialists can be important when nerve damage, vascular disease, or complications are present.
How Often Should You Have a Diabetic Foot Exam?
People with diabetes should generally receive a comprehensive foot evaluation at least annually. Patients with neuropathy, poor circulation, a previous foot ulcer, or other high-risk findings may need more frequent follow-up. Your healthcare team can recommend an appropriate schedule.
Daily Diabetic Foot Care at Home
A simple daily routine can help you notice potential problems early. These habits complement regular podiatric examinations and your diabetes treatment plan.
Foot Care Habits to Practice
- Inspect the tops, soles, heels, and spaces between your toes every day. Use a mirror or ask someone for help if necessary.
- Wash feet gently with lukewarm water and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
- Apply moisturizer to dry skin, but avoid putting lotion between the toes.
- Wear properly fitting shoes, check inside them before use, and avoid walking barefoot.
- Follow your healthcare team's recommendations for nail care, activity, and diabetes management.
Important Precautions
- Do not attempt to cut away corns or calluses yourself.
- Avoid over-the-counter chemical corn removers unless specifically directed by your clinician.
- Do not use heating pads, hot water bottles, or very hot water on feet with reduced sensation.
- Do not ignore blisters, cracks, redness, drainage, or wounds, even when they are painless.
- Ask for professional guidance if reaching or safely trimming your toenails is difficult.
When a Diabetic Foot Problem Is Urgent
A new foot ulcer, open wound, spreading redness, drainage, unusual warmth, or rapidly increasing swelling requires prompt medical attention. Fever, blackened tissue, a suddenly cold or discolored foot, or other severe symptoms may require emergency care. Do not wait for a routine appointment when these warning signs occur.
Diabetic Foot Care FAQs
Answers to common questions about diabetic foot exams, neuropathy, prevention, and warning signs.
Why is foot care important for people with diabetes?
Diabetes can damage nerves and affect circulation, making foot injuries harder to detect and some wounds slower to heal. Daily inspections and regular foot exams help identify problems early.
How often should someone with diabetes see a podiatrist?
A comprehensive foot evaluation is generally recommended at least once a year for people with diabetes. Those with neuropathy, circulation problems, previous ulcers, or other elevated risks may need more frequent visits.
What is diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage associated with diabetes. It may cause numbness, tingling, burning, pain, or reduced ability to feel an injury in the feet.
Should I have my feet checked if they do not hurt?
Yes. Neuropathy can reduce your ability to feel pain, so some injuries may not cause discomfort. Preventive examinations remain important even when your feet feel normal.
Can people with diabetes trim their own toenails?
Some people can safely trim their nails, but those with reduced sensation, poor circulation, vision difficulties, thickened nails, or previous foot complications should ask their healthcare professional about safe nail care.
When should a diabetic foot wound be evaluated?
A new open wound or ulcer should be assessed promptly, even when it is painless. Spreading redness, drainage, fever, darkened tissue, or a suddenly cold foot may require urgent or emergency care.
Request a foot evaluation →Related Foot & Ankle Services
Explore other foot and ankle services available at Lakeland Foot & Ankle.