1. Numbness in the Feet

High blood sugar can severely damage nerves, causing diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Once neuropathy sets in, it is irreversible, and patients may experience numbness in their feet.

If left unchecked, this numbness can worsen, making people feel as if their feet are no longer part of their body.

In addition, patients may lose sensitivity to temperature and pain. As a result, they may not notice extremely hot water, increasing the risk of burns when soaking their feet.

2. Leg Cramps

High blood sugar can significantly affect blood vessels. Poorly controlled diabetes can result in arteriosclerosis within a year or two, causing plaque buildup and narrowing of blood vessels.

As the feet are far from the heart and often remain in the same position for long periods when sitting or lying down, they are more prone to vascular diseases.

When the blood vessels in the legs narrow, patients may suffer from frequent leg cramps. The problem becomes more severe at night, especially in colder temperatures, when blood vessels contract further, exacerbating ischemia (reduced blood supply) and oxygen deficiency.

3. Itchy Feet

Diabetes patients often have itchy feet, mistakenly believing it to be eczema. They may visit various dermatologists and use various anti-itch medications, yet symptoms persist. The real culprit is poor blood sugar control.

Uncontrolled blood sugar and a weakened immune system increase the risk of skin infections, such as boils, bacterial infections,
folliculitis, and fungal infections, including athlete’s foot and nail fungus, which cause persistent itching.

In addition, nerve damage caused by high blood sugar can cause abnormal sensations, while dysfunction in sweat and sebaceous glands may cause skin changes, further contributing to itchiness.

Next Page