Diabetes warning: The 3 telltale signs on your FEET you should never ignore

IF you have diabetes you will have been told to keep an eye on your feet.

This is because they are often a source of health red flags, if you aren’t controlling your sugar levels properly.

Experts recommend having a good look at your feet every day, to make sure you’re spotting any changes quickly.

If you notice anything looking or feeling different, it is always worth getting it checked out by a GP.

But there are three signs to look out for that could mean there is nerve damage.

These are redness, warmth and swelling, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Damage comes from having uncontrolled high blood sugar levels for a long time.

This can cause a condition called Charcot’s foot, which results in bony protrusions.

It can lessen the ability to feel temperature and pain, meaning cuts and ulcers don’t get noticed.

This then makes the feet vulnerable to infection, as diabetes lowers blood flow to the extremities and cuts take longer to heal.

People with diabetes should keep an eye out for cuts, sore, or red spots, swelling or fluid-filled blisters and ingrown toenails, as all of these could lead to an infection.

When you’re diabetic your body can struggle to produce enough insulin or the insulin isn’t effective.

With type 1 diabetes, a person’s pancreas produces no insulin.

In type 2, cells in the body become resistant to insulin, so a greater amount of insulin is needed to keep blood glucose levels within a normal range.

But if you don’t keep your blood sugar in check – this could be dangerous and could lead to sensory issues.

Diabetics are urged to monitor their sugar levels and if you’re diabetic it’s likely you will have been given a device so you can do this at home.

You will be told what your average blood sugar level is and this is referred to as your HbA1c level.

While they differ for everyone, the NHS says that if you monitor your levels at home then a normal target is 4 to 7mmol/l before eating and under 8.5 to 9mmol/l 2 hours after a meal.

If it’s tested every few months then a normal HbA1c target is below 48mmol/mol (or 6.5% on the older measurement scale).

Doctors are now seeing more wounds in people with diabetes, who may have missed vital health checks in the pandemic.

Either patients weren’t able to get the right help during lockdowns, or they didn’t go to doctors as they tried to stay away from the NHS.

But experts have said it is “enormously worrying”, as diabetics who are behind on their appointments risk losing their sight or limbs.

The checks are vital to make sure feet of clear of wounds, any wounds are properly treated and blood sugar levels are balanced.