Diabetes can mean double trouble for your feet. First, diabetes can reduce blood flow to your feet, depriving your feet of oxygen and nutrients. This makes it more difficult for blisters, sores, and cuts to heal. Second, the diabetic nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness in your feet. When you can't feel cuts and blisters, you're more likely to get sores and infections.

If you don't notice or treat the sores, they can become deeply infected, and lead to amputation. A sad reality: having a toe, foot, or lower leg surgically removed is 10 times more likely in people with diabetes.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can also cause sharep pain in your feet. You may become excruciatingly sensitive to the lightest touch, like the sheets on your bed.

Fortunately, a little tender loving care goes a long way in preventing foot problems from diabetes. If you ar diabetic part of your diabetic care should be regular check with a specialist foot nurse who will spot any signs of trouble. Otherwise the watchword is don't ignore any problem with your feet, ask someone to help right away and you could save yourself a lot of trouble!

If you are diabetic here are some good habits to get into. Look over both feet carefully every day, and make sure you check between all of your toes. Blisters and infections can start between your toes, and with diabetic neuropathy, you may not feel them until they've become irritated or infected. If a physical challenge keeps you from checking your own feet, ask a family member to help.

Wash both of your feet briefly each day with warm - not hot - water. You may not be able to feel heat with your feet, so test the water with your hands first. Avoid soaking too long in water, since waterlogged sores take longer to heal. Dry your feet straight away, and remember to dry gently between all of your toes.

It's an investment worth making. Even the slightest rubbing or misfitted shoe can cause a blister that turns into a sore that becomes infected and never heals. Buy better-fitting shoes, or try different socks, even at the most minor signs of redness or irritation, since you may not be able to feel when it's getting worse. Before buying or putting on the shoes check your shoes for rough seams, sharp edges or other objects that could hurt your feet. In addition, break your shoes in gradually.

Always wear shoes or slippers. Always wear socks with your shoes, since leather, plastics and manmade shoe materials can irritate your skin and quickly bring on blisters. While you might prefer the look of tights, nylon knee-highs or thin socks, you may find that these don't give your toes or heels enough protection. Wear thicker socks to pad your feet and cushion any callouses or sore

Nerve damage can be unpredictable. You should always tell your doctor about any changes in sensation in your toes, feet or legs. Speak up if you notice pain, tingling, pins-and-needles , numbness or any other unusual signs - even if it seems trivial to you. There's nothing trivial about a potential foot amputation.

Your skin may be dry and cracked because of high glucose levels, and cracked skin means it's easier for bacteria to get under your skin and harder for infections to heal. Use a small amount of skin lotion daily, but be sure your feet feel dry - not damp or sticky - afterwards. Try not to get the lotion in between your toes. Keep your toenails trimmed and filed smooth to avoid ingrown toenails. You may find it easier to trim your nails after using lotion, when your cuticles are softer. Use a pumice stone after showering or bathing to softly file corns or callouses.