Diabetic Foot Infection Sign and Symptoms

Prevention is the best medicine. Checking your feet is an important way to reduce the chances of developing a serious foot problem.

Here are 12 Diabetic Foot Infection Sign and Symptoms :

1.   Numbness or tingling in the feet and lower legs
These symptoms can feel like the limb as fallen "asleep." On the other hand, they can feel like a "buzzing or shocking sensation," according to Healthline.

2.   Changes in colour
eg whitening, reddening, yellowing, darkening or paling of skin

3.   Changes in shape
either in one particular area or if the whole foot becomes swollen

4.   Any unusual change in odour of your feet

5.   Fungal growth

6.   Dry or hard skin

7.   Skin that is warm or hot to the touch

8.   Impaired sense of touch
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke addresses sensory nerve damage. "Since this is felt most in the hands and feet, people may feel as if they are wearing gloves and stockings even when they are not. This damage to larger sensory fibers may contribute to the loss of reflexes."

9.   Soles of the feet
When checking the soles of your feet, look out for the general signs of damage and changes and also:
-Calluses
-Plantar warts (verrucas)
-Foot ulcers

10.   Leg cramps that often occur at night
While leg cramps can be caused by low levels of potassium, dehydration or low calcium levels, they can also be a sign of nerve damage in the lower limbs.

11.   toes
-Any loss of hair on your feet, ankles or toes
-Shiny, smooth skin
-Changes in shape of the toes – any evidence of one or more toes becoming clawed

12.   Loss of coordination
If the sensory nerves are sufficiently damaged, a loss of coordination may occur because the body cannot identify the location of joints. This complication of diabetes can result in a loss of sensory motor balance.