Diabetes is a lifelong illness that affects over 29 million people in the US. The body’s inability to maintain normal blood glucose levels can over time cause diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, to develop. Over half of diabetics develop neuropathy, especially for those who have had diabetes for a long time or are older in age. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that develops in the hands and feet, and can range in severity. If you have diabetes and experience any of these symptoms, you may have peripheral neuropathy:

• Tingling or “pins and needles” in the feet or toes
• Numbness – inability to feel cuts, blisters, or other injuries
• Inability to feel feet during walking
• Burning or sharp pain
• Pain that persists through the night
• Sensitivity to touch
• Extremely hot or cold feet
• Muscle weakness in the feet and legs
• Poor balance during walking
• Worsening of symptoms at night

The danger of peripheral neuropathy is that you can lose the ability to feel cuts, scrapes, and injuries, which could lead to serious problems. A diabetic’s immune system is compromised, which makes infections difficult to fight, so it is important to prevent even the most minor injuries through daily inspections. There are many easy foot care tips for diabetics, which you can read more about here. Seeing a foot care specialist regularly is another important way to prevent ulcers and other injuries from developing or worsening. At Syracuse Podiatry, located in Fayetteville, NY, Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico has extensive experience in helping patients manage their diabetic foot and ankle issues. A board-certified podiatrist, Dr. D’Amico not only cares for diabetic patients, but also treats patients with sports injuries, heel pain, ingrown toenails, bunions, and hammertoes. If you need regular diabetic care, or you need an experienced foot and ankle surgeon, contact us or call us at (315) 446-3668 today! Feel free to explore our patient education library for more information!