1. How Type 1 Diabetes can cause foot complications?

High blood glucose levels can seriously damage parts of your body and can lead to circulation and infection problems which can cause a loss of feeling in the feet or on opposite too much feeling like tingling and burning sensation.
If left untreated, these problems can cause foot injuries which do not heal well and you may not notice if your foot is sore or injured. This can lead to ulcers and infections. At worse, it could lead to amputations.

2. Spotting the signs of foot problems.

It’s recommended that you check your feet every day for the following signs and report them to your doctor:

• • Tingling sensation or pins and needles (like numbness)
  • Pain (burning)
  • A dull ache
  • Shiny, smooth skin on your feet
  • Hair loss on your legs and feet
  • Loss of feeling in your feet or legs
  • Swollen feet
  • Your feet don’t sweat
  • Wounds or sores that don’t heal
  • Cramp in your calves when resting or walking

But if you notice any of the following alarming changes, please contact your doctor immediately :

• Changes in the colour and shape of your feet
• Cold or hot feet
• Blisters and cuts that you can see but don’t feel
• Foul smell coming from an open wound

You should also get a foot check-up at least once a year to see if there are any changes with the nerves.
What is a foot check-up? A trained professional will check your legs and feet for any numbness, poor circulation, corns, calluses, nail problems, and other conditions. They will discuss whether your child is at risk of developing any foot problems.

3. Tips to reduce the risk of foot problems.

• Ensure to keep your blood glucose level in his target range
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit well. And avoid tight-fitting shoes and high heels where possible
• Keep your feet clean and dry to avoid infection
• Keep toenails trimmed
• Do not go barefoot outside to avoid cuts and grazes
• Try to exercice 30 min per day

HelloType1 content is based on published, internationally recognised guidelines and then reviewed by local experts to ensure it fits local context. The translation is based on simplified English language to ensure it conveys the safest and clearest possible message in regional languages. Basic insulin and blood glucose testing access is still an issue in the South-East Asia region and our chief aim is to address this. HelloType1 content is not intended to replace the advice of individual healthcare professionals but as a collaborative tool to help them improve the outcomes of disadvantaged people with Type 1 Diabetes in the region.