Self-Check: A Home Inspection Guide for Diabetic Foot Symptoms

I. Appearance of the Foot1

• Changes in skin color or temperature.
• Dry, cracked skin.
• Thickened or yellowing nails.
• Unusual hair loss on the lower limbs or feet.
• Presence of bacterial or fungal infections.
• Blisters, ulcers, or other wounds (i.e., DFUs). The image below shows areas of the foot prone to ulceration:

II. Sensation of the Foot1(a symptom of "peripheral sensory neuropathy")

• The occurrence of tingling, burning pain.
• Sensation becomes dull, or unable to easily distinguish between hot and cold.
• Physical and neurological examination3-5: 10-gram monofilament test is one of the common tests of neuropathy. The patient may also be asked to lie on their back with their eyes closed, and the examiner gently touches the patient's toes with their hand (or tissue) to ask if the patient can feel it and determine whether it's the left or right foot. Sometimes, physicians also evaluate neurological conditions by temperature, sound wave, vibration, nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and electromyography (EMG).

Want to know what other symptoms peripheral neuropathy can cause?

"Why do diabetic foot ulcers occur?"

III. Walking

• Intermittent claudication6(a symptom of peripheral artery disease): Pain or burning sensation in the muscles of the buttocks, legs, or feet after 'activity or walking,' which can be relieved by a short rest. Symptoms do not occur at rest or while stationary.
• Difficulty walking due to claudication or foot deformity.