Don’t Ignore That Sore: Why Early Foot Care Matters for Diabetes

06 April 2026

Living with diabetes requires constant vigilance over your health, but your feet are often the last place you look, until something goes wrong. At INTEGRIS Health, our providers emphasize that proper diabetic foot care isn’t just about hygiene. It’s a critical daily practice that can save your mobility.

When high blood sugar impacts your circulation and nerves, a tiny pebble in your shoe or a minor blister can spiral into a serious medical emergency before you even feel pain. By understanding the risks and knowing what to look for, you can catch issues early and keep your feet healthy for the long haul.

We speak to Melissa Harris, D.O., a board-certified physician specializing in emergency medicine at INTEGRIS Health Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Center, to learn more.

What are diabetic foot ulcers?

The basics: A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that typically occurs on the bottom of the foot, affecting approximately 15% of patients with diabetes. These ulcers form when skin tissue breaks down and exposes the layers underneath.

They are most commonly found under your big toes and the balls of your feet.
Ulcers can affect your bones if left untreated.
People who use insulin have a higher risk of developing them.

Why diabetic foot care is essential

Why it matters: Taking care of your feet is vital because diabetes compromises many things, including your body’s natural ability to heal and fight off infection. Without a proactive routine, minor injuries can go unnoticed and unmanaged until they require hospitalization.

Routine inspections help catch problems before they get out of hand.
Proper care prevents bacteria from entering through broken skin.
Daily maintenance keeps skin supple and less prone to cracking.

Diabetes can reduce blood flow to your extremities, which means your body cannot deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to heal a wound. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) often narrows the blood vessels in the legs and significantly slows down the recovery process for any cut or sore.

Poor circulation makes your skin more fragile and likely to break.
Slower healing times give infections a longer window to take hold.
Cold feet or thin, shiny skin on your legs can be signs of reduced blood flow.

Nerve damage may prevent you from feeling injuries, a condition known medically as diabetic neuropathy. If you cannot feel heat, cold or pain in your feet, you might walk around on a blister or sharp object all day without realizing you have been injured.

You might not notice a cut until you see drainage on your socks.
Neuropathy can cause deformities like bunions or hammertoes that create new pressure points.
Loss of sensation is the leading reason foot ulcers become severe.

Common causes of diabetic foot ulcers

The causes: These wounds usually result from a combination of factors rather than a single event. It is often a mix of lack of feeling, poor blood flow, foot deformities and irritation from friction or pressure over time.

Walking barefoot puts you at risk for cuts you cannot feel.
Trauma or injury to the foot creates an entry point for bacteria.
Dry skin can crack and create deep fissures that turn into ulcers.

Poorly managed blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia, damage nerves and blood vessels over time, making it harder for your body to repair itself. High glucose levels also stiffen the arteries and narrow blood vessels, compounding the circulation issues that delay healing.

Elevated blood sugar weakens your white blood cells, which fight infection.
Chronic high glucose leads to faster progression of neuropathy.
Fluctuating levels can dry out skin and reduce its elasticity.

Pressure points from ill-fitting shoes are a major culprit because they create constant friction against numb skin. If your shoes are too tight, too narrow or have rough seams inside, they can rub blisters onto toes or heels without you feeling it.

High heels can force weight onto the ball of the foot and cause damage.
Shoes that don’t accommodate bunions can rub skin raw.
Wearing shoes without socks increases friction and shear forces.

Minor cuts or blisters that go unnoticed are often the starting point for severe ulcers. Something as simple as a pebble in your shoe or an improper toenail trim can create a small wound that rapidly expands due to a lack of blood flow.

Ingrown toenails can cut into the skin and invite infection.
Corns and calluses can build up and eventually break down into open sores.
Scratches from pets or minor bumps often go unnoticed due to numbness.

How to care for a diabetic foot ulcer

Treating the wound: Foot ulcer care requires immediate and consistent attention to prevent the sore from becoming infected or gangrenous. The primary goal is to help the wound close as quickly as possible while keeping bacteria out.

Do not try to treat severe ulcers with over-the-counter ointments without a doctor’s approval.
Keep your blood sugar under tight control to aid the healing process.
Avoid walking on the affected foot to prevent further damage.

Clean and dress the wound daily to prevent infection and create a moist healing environment. Your doctor will likely prescribe specific wound care dressings or topical medications to help the tissue repair itself without drying out.

Wash the area gently with mild soap and water.
Apply the prescribed dressing exactly as directed by your health care provider.
Change bandages frequently to keep the area clean and dry.

Keep pressure off the affected area with special footwear or casts, a process called “off-loading.” Since walking on an ulcer forces it deeper into the tissue, relieving that weight is often the most critical factor in whether the wound heals.

You may need to wear a removable cast boot or brace.
Crutches or a wheelchair might be necessary for a short period.
Specialized shoes can redistribute weight away from the sore.

Consult a health care provider for advanced treatments if basic care does not resolve the issue. In some cases, dead tissue needs to be surgically removed (debridement) to allow healthy tissue to grow, or antibiotics may be needed to treat an infection.

Debridement cleans the wound of bacteria and dead skin.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is sometimes used to increase oxygen supply to the wound.
Skin grafts may be an option for stubborn ulcers that refuse to close.

Find a doctor at INTEGRIS Health now

Finding help: If you have a diabetic foot ulcer or notice any unusual changes in your feet, find a doctor at INTEGRIS Health to prevent complications and ensure proper treatment. Early intervention is key to preserving your mobility and your quality of life.