Signs and symptoms of foot problems vary according to the origin of the problem. Many diabetic foot disorders involve a foot ulcer. These are sores that do not heal and often become infected. The infection can spread through the foot and into the bone.

Early symptoms of a diabetic foot ulcer include:

• Skin redness
• Blistering
• Other skin irritation

In later stages, the ulcer may develop into an open wound that drains fluid. Signs that a foot ulcer has become infected include:

• Swelling (edema)
• Redness
• Pus
• Fever
• High levels of glucose (blood sugar)

In addition, there are symptoms associated with specific diabetic disorders that lead to foot problems. They include:

• Peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms of nerve damage can be either continuous or sporadic. The most common manifestations are:
  
  
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Pricking
  • Burning sensation
  • Foot ulcers that are painless
    
    

• People with diabetes who break a bone, twist an ankle or suffer another injury often cannot feel it because of nerve damage. Because they are unaware of the injury, they are likely to continue to walk on the foot. Eventually, this will cause the foot, ankle and leg to become swollen. This condition is known as Charcot foot. Left untreated, it will eventually damage the bones, joints and ligaments of the foot. As a result, the foot can become distorted and deformed.

• Peripheral arterial disease. People who have circulation problems due to artery blockages may manifest a number of symptoms. These include:
  
  

  • Dry skin
    
  • Hair loss on feet
    
  • Coldness of skin (to touch) of the feet
    
  • Redness of feet when hanging down
    
  • Paleness in feet when raised above the level of the heart
    
  • Lack of pulse in the feet
    
  • Claudication (pain and cramping when muscles fail to receive enough blood)