November Is Diabetes Awareness Month: What Every Diabetic Needs to Know About Their Feet
Your feet are one of the most important indicators of how your diabetes is affecting your body — here is what to watch for
November is Diabetes Awareness Month — a time dedicated to raising understanding of a condition that affects almost 4 million Canadians and continues to grow in prevalence every year. At Sole Renewal, this month holds particular significance for us, because diabetes and foot health are inseparably connected.
As foot care nurses, we work with diabetic patients every single day. We see firsthand what happens when the feet are properly monitored and cared for — and we see what happens when they are not. This month, we want to share what we know so that more people living with diabetes can protect themselves from complications that are, in many cases, entirely preventable.
🩺 Free Diabetic Foot Risk Assessment Clinic — November 14, 2026
Saturday, November 14th | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Sole Renewal Footcare & Wellness Spots are limited — 15-minute appointments available. Book yours today. Every attendee receives: a complimentary gift bag · $10 off their first full appointment · entry into our foot health basket draw
Why Diabetes Affects the Feet So Significantly
Diabetes affects the feet through two distinct but often overlapping mechanisms: nerve damage and circulatory compromise.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy. High blood sugar over time can damage the nerves that supply the lower legs and feet, leading to reduced or absent sensation. Without normal pain sensation, injuries go unnoticed. A patient with significant neuropathy may not feel a blister forming or a wound becoming infected. By the time they become aware of a problem, it has often already progressed significantly.
Peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes impairs circulation throughout the body, including to the lower limbs. Reduced blood flow means wounds heal slowly, immune response is diminished, and even minor trauma can lead to serious complications. The combination of not feeling an injury and not healing from it efficiently is what makes diabetic foot complications so serious.
Together, these two mechanisms are responsible for the majority of diabetes-related lower limb complications — including ulcers, infections, and, in serious cases, amputation. The vast majority of these outcomes are preventable with proper monitoring and care.
The Statistics Are a Wake-Up Call
In Canada, diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. Studies consistently show that a significant proportion of diabetic foot ulcers and amputations are preventable with early identification, proper foot care, and appropriate professional monitoring.
We want to be direct with you: we have seen these complications happen. We have cared for patients who have experienced serious infections that have led to hospitalization. We have witnessed the devastating consequences of diabetic foot concerns that were left unaddressed for too long – and yes, we have seen amputations happen. Amputations are not a distant, abstract statistic — they are a reality that we see touch real people and real families.
Early recognition is everything. A concern identified and addressed at its earliest stage is a very different situation from one that has been quietly worsening for weeks or months. This is why consistent monitoring — both at home and through regular professional appointments — is not optional for people living with diabetes. It is essential.
We share this not to frighten you, but because we believe you deserve to understand what is at stake — so that you can make informed decisions about your care.
What to Check Every Day
One of the most important habits any diabetic patient can develop is a daily foot inspection. Because sensation may be reduced, the visual check becomes your primary warning system. Look at your feet every day for:
Any cuts, breaks, or openings in the skin — no matter how small
Blisters or areas of redness that were not there yesterday
Swelling, warmth, or areas that look inflamed
Changes in skin colour — pallor, bluish tones, or unusual redness
Any areas where skin appears to be breaking down or thinning
Toenails that look thickened, discoloured, or are beginning to press into the surrounding skin
Dry or cracked skin, particularly at the heels
If you have difficulty seeing or reaching the bottoms of your feet, a mirror placed on the floor is an excellent tool — it allows you to check the soles and heels without needing to bend or flex in ways that may be difficult. For patients with significant mobility limitations, this simple tool can make a meaningful difference to your ability to monitor your own foot health.
One more tip that we share with our diabetic patients: wear white socks when possible. White socks will reveal any bleeding, drainage, or skin breakdown that has occurred — something that can easily go unnoticed in darker coloured socks. This simple habit can help you catch a problem you might not otherwise have seen.
If you identify anything concerning — even something you are not sure about — contact your healthcare provider or foot care nurse promptly. When it comes to diabetic foot concerns, acting quickly always leads to better outcomes.
What Not to Do — Ever
For patients with diabetes, certain common self-care practices carry risks that most people do not realize:
Never use over-the-counter corn or callus removal products — these contain acids that can cause serious skin damage in diabetic or compromised skin
Never cut nails at home if you have significant neuropathy or circulation concerns without guidance from a healthcare provider
Never apply heat to your feet — hot water bottles, heating pads, or extremely hot baths — as reduced sensation means you may not feel a burn until it has already occurred
Never walk barefoot — indoors or outdoors — as the risk of stepping on something and sustaining an unnoticed injury is too high
Never ignore a wound, blister, or skin change, even if it does not hurt — the absence of pain does not mean the absence of a problem
The Role of Nurse-Led Foot Care in Diabetes Management
Regular appointments with a foot care nurse are one of the most important and underutilized components of diabetes management. At every visit, we conduct a clinical assessment that goes well beyond a nail trim — we are looking at your skin, your circulation, your sensation, and your nails with trained clinical eyes, documenting what we find over time.
This longitudinal monitoring is invaluable. We notice when something has changed since your last visit and flag what needs follow-up. When something falls outside our scope and requires the attention of another healthcare provider, we do not simply note it and move on — we will liaise directly with your healthcare team to ensure nothing important is missed or delayed.
We also provide guidance on home care, footwear, and products that support the health of diabetic skin and reduce daily risk between clinic visits. This includes Footlogix formulas specifically suited to diabetic skin, offloading products for areas of pressure or wound risk, and Simcan diabetic socks designed to protect sensitive feet without constricting circulation.
We also carry compression socks in our clinic. For patients who experience swelling or have poor circulation, these socks are an excellent option — they provide gentle support to help manage fluid and circulatory changes without the tightness that can come from standard socks, preventing uncomfortable constriction around the calves and ankles.
For patients with diabetes, we recommend professional foot care appointments every four to six weeks.
For Families: How to Support a Loved One With Diabetes
If someone in your family is living with diabetes, their foot health is something the whole household can help protect:
Help with daily foot checks. If your loved one has difficulty seeing or reaching their feet, offer to do a visual check for them each day. Look for anything new — redness, swelling, skin changes, or areas that look different from the last time you checked.
Encourage regular foot care appointments. Help with scheduling, transportation, or reminders. Regular professional care is one of the most protective things a diabetic patient can do for their long-term health.
Check that their footwear fits properly. Diabetic patients should never wear tight, narrow, or poorly fitting shoes. Check that socks are not leaving marks or indentations on the skin.
Know the warning signs of a foot emergency. Spreading redness, significant swelling, warmth, discharge, or any wound not healing within a few days all warrant prompt medical attention. Do not wait to see if it improves.
Your Feet Deserve the Same Attention as the Rest of Your Diabetes Management.
Whatever your feet look like right now, however long it has been, whatever you have been dealing with — we are here for you, without judgment, with expertise, and with a genuine commitment to keeping you as healthy and mobile as possible for as long as possible.
And this November, we are taking it one step further. Join us on Saturday, November 14th for our Free Diabetic Foot Risk Assessment Clinic — 15-minute diabetic foot consultations, a complimentary gift bag, $10 off your first full visit, and a chance to win our foot health basket draw. Spots are limited.
Book your free assessment spot or your regular appointment by calling the clinic or e-mailing us at info@solerenewalfootcare.ca. Let us take care of your feet — properly, consistently, and with the clinical attention they deserve.
— Natalie Doucet, RPN | Sole Renewal Footcare & Wellness | Oshawa, Ontario
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