Having diabetes type 1 or 2 means you are at a greater risk of developing foot problems. Taking good care of your feet can help avoid this.
Foot complications related to diabetes are more likely to occur when blood sugar levels are poorly controlled. However, with good diabetes management, most people will not experience serious issues with their feet.
The complications which can develop are:
- neuropathy (loss of sensation)
- circulatory (blood flow) problems
Foot screening
Anyone diagnosed with diabetes should have a regular foot screening. This is to check the circulation and sensation of your feet.
Foot screening is carried out by Community Treatment and Care (CTAC) nurses within your GP practice. If you are low risk, then this will be carried out every two years. If your risk changes from low to moderate or high, your nurse will refer you to podiatry services for an assessment and advice.
How you can avoid problems with your feet
It is good practice to check your feet daily. Remember to check between your toes, and look out for any breaks in the skin. A mirror can be used to aid with checking soles of feet.
You should also:
- Moisturise feet daily.
- Cut nails carefully or file regularly – if you’re struggling with nail care, seek help from relatives/carers, third sector nail cutting services or private podiatry
- Wear good fitting footwear
- Get help if you do spot an open wound or signs of infection
- Good diabetic control
- Stop smoking (Quit Your Way Scotland | NHS inform)
You can find more information on foot care, including a short video, on NHS Inform.
Urgent foot problems
Conditions that qualify as requiring urgent podiatry care:
- Red hot swollen toe/foot
- A new active ulcer/wound on the foot
- Foot infection (except fungal)
- Infected painful ingrown toenail
- New unexplained pain where you are unable to mobilise
The service will prioritise those individuals known to have high risk feet when the above symptoms are present.
Referral to NHS Podiatry services
You should consider referring to NHS Podiatry services in the following situations:
- Presence of non-healing wounds or signs of infection
- Ingrowing toenails – particularly if they are painful, infected or affecting mobility
- Changes in foot health risk status – any change in foot risk identified during screening should prompt a referral
Hub contact details:
- East Ayrshire Podiatry Hub: 01563 554222
- North Ayrshire Podiatry Hub: 01294 400616
- South Ayrshire Podiatry Hub: 01563 826361
Nail cutting services provided by other agencies
There are services in Ayrshire and Arran that offer basic nail cutting by trained volunteers. These services aim to do:
- what you would do for yourself if you were able to
- what you would ask a caring relative or friend to do
To find out more about this service in your local area, please contact:
East Ayrshire
- Feet First: 01563 574000
North Ayrshire
- Footcare Plus: 07557 958499
South Ayrshire
- FootcAyr: 01292 281800
- Tiptoes (domicilliary): 07762 416025
Private podiatry services
In line with the Scottish government personal foot care guidance 2013, NHS Ayrshire and Arran Podiatry services do not offer appointments for personal foot care.
This includes:
- toenail cutting
- regular reduction of callouses and corns
- verruca treatment
- fungal nails
For any personal foot care requirements such as those listed above, you may wish to seek the help of a private podiatrist. We would recommend you go to an Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered podiatrist. You can check this on the HCPC website.