People with diabetes may develop diabetic foot problems including diabetic retinopathy (nerve damage) and peripheral vascular disease (reduced blood flow to the feet).

One of the main problems in patients with diabetes is decreased circulation. This leads to problems including nerve damage and peripheral vascular problems at the bottom of the feet and fingertips. If the damage gets severe enough, patients can't actually feel the bottom of their feet, so if they step on something that could hurt them, they might not actually feel it.

People who have diabetes should be checking their feet every day on a regular basis as a routine to help maintain and prevent complications.

Look for specially-designed diabetic socks, which are designed with reinforced toes, no seams and extra padding to help prevent pressure sores that might develop. Hydration is also a very important part of diabetic foot care, so make sure you're moisturizing your feet to avoid cracking of the soles and the heels, which take longer to heal if you have diabetes.

Effective blood glucose management is also important in order to avoid diabetes-related complications. If you have diabetes, it’s important to check your blood sugar levels as prescribed by your doctor. This will determine if you have low or high blood sugar and show you how your medication and lifestyle are affecting your blood sugar levels.