Early Action on Diabetes: Why Your Feet Should Be Part of the Conversation

On 14 November, the world marks World Diabetes Day. The theme for 2026–27 is "Early Action on Diabetes", a call to diagnose diabetes sooner, strengthen access to proper care, and reduce the stigma that stops people from seeking help.

It is a message that matters for every part of the body. But it matters especially for your feet.

Diabetes-related foot problems rarely arrive without warning. They build slowly, often silently, over months and years. The people who avoid serious complications are usually not the lucky ones. They are the ones who took early action.

Why Feet Are on the Front Line

Diabetes affects the feet in two main ways, and both can develop long before you notice anything wrong.

Nerve changes (neuropathy). Over time, high blood sugar can damage the nerves that carry sensation from your feet. You may gradually lose the ability to feel pain, pressure, or temperature, which means a blister, a cut, or a pressure spot can go unnoticed.

Circulation changes. Diabetes can also affect the blood vessels supplying your feet and legs. Reduced blood flow slows healing, which means small wounds take longer to close and infections are harder to fight.

Together, these changes explain why a minor injury can turn into a serious problem for someone with diabetes. Neither change necessarily hurts in the early stages, which is exactly why waiting for symptoms is the wrong strategy.

What "Early Action" Looks Like for Your Feet

1. Get a Baseline Foot Assessment Soon After Diagnosis

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, a foot assessment should be part of your care from the start, not something you leave until problems appear. A podiatrist can check your sensation, circulation, skin, nails, and foot structure, and give you a clear picture of your current risk level.

Think of it as a starting line. Once you have a baseline, any future changes are far easier to spot.

2. Keep Up Regular Reviews

How often you need to be seen depends on your individual risk. Some people with healthy feet are reviewed yearly. Those with nerve changes, circulation concerns, foot deformities, or a history of wounds are usually seen more frequently. Your podiatrist will recommend a schedule that suits you.

3. Build a Simple Daily Habit

Early action is not only about appointments. A two-minute daily check makes a real difference:

• Look at the tops, soles, heels, and between the toes
• Watch for redness, swelling, blisters, cuts, or changes in skin colour
• Check your nails for thickening, discolouration, or ingrown edges
• Feel inside your shoes before putting them on
• Use a mirror, or ask someone to help, if you cannot see the soles

4. Get the Basics Right

Wear well-fitted footwear and avoid going barefoot, even at home. Keep your skin moisturised, but not between the toes. Dry carefully after washing. Leave corns, calluses, and warts to a professional rather than treating them yourself.

5. Act on Small Changes Straight Away

A blister, a crack, or a patch of redness that does not improve within a day or two deserves a call to your podiatrist or GP. With diabetes, small problems are best dealt with while they are still small.

Early Warning Signs Worth Taking Seriously

Book an assessment if you notice any of the following:

• Tingling, burning, numbness, or "pins and needles" in your feet
• Feet that feel unusually cold, or skin that looks pale, shiny, or hairless
• Dry, cracked heels that keep splitting
• Thickened or discoloured toenails
• Corns or calluses that keep returning
• Cuts or blisters that heal slowly
• Changes in the shape of your feet, or shoes that suddenly feel tight

Seek urgent care the same day for any open wound, signs of infection such as redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge, or a toe or area of the foot that turns dark.

Breaking the Stigma

Part of this year's World Diabetes Day message is about reducing stigma, and it applies to foot care too.

Many people delay seeing a podiatrist because they feel embarrassed about the state of their feet, or worry they will be judged for not having looked after them better. Please do not let that stop you. Podiatrists see every kind of foot, every day, and our job is never to judge. It is to help you move forward from wherever you are today.

Whether you were diagnosed last week or twenty years ago, the right time to look after your feet is now.

Not Sure If You Are at Risk?

You do not need a diabetes diagnosis to benefit from paying attention. Diabetes can go undetected for years, and some of its first signs appear in the feet: tingling, numbness, slow-healing sores, or unusual skin changes. If you have these symptoms, or if diabetes runs in your family, speak with your GP about getting tested, and let your podiatrist know.

The Bottom Line

World Diabetes Day is a reminder that early action changes outcomes. For your feet, that means getting assessed early, checking them daily, choosing the right footwear, and speaking up when something changes.

Most serious diabetic foot complications are preventable. The earlier you start, the better your chances of keeping your feet healthy and your life active for years to come.

Living with diabetes, or concerned you might be at risk? Book a diabetic foot assessment with our podiatry team online or call (03) 8358 9929.

#WorldDiabetesDay #EarlyActionOnDiabetes #DiabeticFootCare #FootHealth

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