9 Foot Issues You May Have With Type 1 Diabetes

If you suffer from diabetes, you might know that it can affect the blood flow to your feet. Foot issues are annoying on their own, but they’re, actually a gateway to bigger problems.

Patients with unmanaged diabetes can develop neuropathy. This leads to a lack of sensation of pressure and temperature. Neuropathy can also negatively impact foot muscles, which can make walking difficult. 

Neuropathy (nerve damage) affects at least 30% to 40% of patients with diabetes. Neuropathy can be prevented or stopped only with proper control of blood sugar levels.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune chronic disease in which the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The condition is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against insulin.

When there is not enough insulin, the body is unable to use the glucose in the bloodstream for energy. I begin to break down fat for fuel. The breakdown of fats creates acidic by-products known as ketones. With time the ketones accumulate in big quantities in the blood. This can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called ketoacidosis.

Type 1 diabetes usually affects children, albeit it can appear at any age. The condition is usually accompanied by the following symptoms: 

• Excessive thirst 


• Frequent urination 


• Unexplained weight loss 


• Vision problems


• Chronic fatigue

Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin treatment. Treatment might also include taking drugs to prevent kidney damage or to treat diabetes-related conditions, for instance, high blood pressure.

Some people with diabetes develop peripheral artery disease which puts them at risk for foot ulcers. The condition is characterized by poor blood flow. This makes it harder for the body to heal and increases the risk of skin ulcers and even gangrene. 

According to the University of California-San Francisco Medical Center, peripheral artery disease occurs in about 20% of people age 55 and older. Diabetes sufferers have two to four times the risk of developing peripheral artery disease compared to people without diabetes. In fact, there is no direct treatment for peripheral artery disease. The only thing you can do about it is to prevent it or stop its progression. 

People who drink too much alcohol, have high cholesterol levels, and smoke, are at the highest risk for developing peripheral artery disease. The condition oftentimes affects feet, therefore if you already have it, you need to consult a foot doctor and get checked regularly.

11 Common Foot Problems That Can Be Caused by Type 1 Diabetes

Since people with diabetes are especially vulnerable to foot problems, it’s important to know the common diabetes-related foot issues to know your risks. 

1. Heel infections

Heel infections are extremely common in older people who follow a sedentary lifestyle. It’s important to treat an infection with an antibiotic as soon as possible to avoid their progression and other dangerous complications.

2. Dry skin

Dryness can result in cracked and infected skin. It’s usually treated with a prescription topical or oral antibiotic.

3. Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection of the feet that can cause itchy sores. Your podiatrist might recommend an over-the-counter antifungal medication like clotrimazole or miconazole, oral medications like fluconazole or itraconazole, or prescribe topical meds such as butenafine or naftifine.

4. Foot infections and ulcers

Most infections are treated with antibiotic therapy (with the exception of viral infection), and the treatment usually starts with oral antibiotics. More serious infections might require intravenous antibiotic therapy. Your foot doctor may need to remove dead skin, a process called debridement.

5. Hammertoes

Hammertoes are toes that curl under the feet due to weakened muscles. They can provoke blisters and calluses, which often results in infection. Treatment options like corrective footwear or surgery to straighten the toe might be required.

6. Corns and calluses

Corns and calluses are other common problems that occur in people with type 1 diabetes. Since they often contribute to infections, they should be treated. A doctor might prescribe you antibiotics and remove the hardened skin, which otherwise can delay healing.

7. Fungal infection of the nails

Fungal infections make nails tough and colorful, usually shades of yellow, green, brown, or black. A foot doctor might prescribe an oral antibiotic, remove the nail surgically or chemically, or perform a laser treatment that eliminates the fungus.

8. Blisters

If you have a blister, cover it with a bandage. If you notice it gets infected, your podiatrist will drain it and prescribe you antibiotics.

9. Plantar warts

Plantar warts often get infected or bleed. Your foot doctor might suggest wearing a pad over a wart to prevent irritation or decide to remove it.