Diabetes Foot Care Advice for Cheltenham, Cirencester & the South West
If you have diabetes, you are much more likely to develop foot problems, particularly if you have reduced feeling or sensitivity in your feet. Loss of sensation is often caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy and can increase your risk of injuries, ulcers and infections.
A simple test you can do at home, with help from another person, is called the Touch the Toes test. This can help you spot early changes in sensation and know when to seek medical advice.
This guidance is especially relevant for people living in Cheltenham, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Worcestershire, where NHS diabetes foot services are available.
Why You Should Test Sensitivity in Your Feet
Sensitivity helps your body warn you when something is wrong.
Pain or sensation in your feet can alert you to:
- Burns
- Blisters
- Cuts or wounds
- Foot ulcers
- Pressure or rubbing from shoes
If you have diabetes and lose feeling in your feet, you may not notice injuries. This can delay treatment and increase the risk of:
- Serious foot infections
- Foot ulcers
- Hospital treatment
- Amputation in severe cases
If you already know you have reduced feeling, it’s vital to check your feet every day by looking at them carefully.
How to Test Sensitivity in Your Feet at Home
The Touch the Toes Test
The Touch the Toes test is quick and easy but must be done with someone helping you, such as a family member or close friend.
The test only takes a few minutes and helps identify changes in feeling that should be checked by a healthcare professional.
Step-by-Step: How to Do the Touch the Toes Test
- Remove shoes and socks
Lie down comfortably on a bed or sofa. - Identify left and right
Your helper should firmly touch each leg and say:- “This is your right”
- “This is your left”
- Close your eyes
Keep them closed for the rest of the test. - Lightly touch the toes
Your helper should gently touch each toe once only, for no more than one second, using their index finger.
The toes should be touched in this order:
- Right big toe
- Right little toe
- Left big toe
- Left little toe
- Right middle toe
- Left middle toe
- Say what you feel
If you feel the touch, say “right” or “left”.
If you don’t feel anything, say nothing. - Record the results
Your helper should write down which toes you felt and which you didn’t.
What Do the Results Mean?
Normal Sensation
If you feel the touch on five or six toes, your sensation is normal.
- You are not currently at increased risk due to loss of feeling
- Continue with your annual diabetes foot check at your GP surgery or diabetes clinic
- Sensation can change over time, so ongoing checks are essential
Reduced Sensation
If you feel the touch on four or fewer toes, this suggests reduced sensation.
- You may be at higher risk of developing a foot ulcer
- You should arrange a foot examination with your GP or practice nurse
- Ask for referral to a:
- Diabetes specialist podiatrist
- Foot protection team
- Diabetes foot clinic
These services are available through NHS care across Cheltenham, Cirencester and the surrounding counties.
What to Do If You Have Reduced Feeling
If reduced sensation is confirmed:
- Check your feet every day
- Wear well-fitting footwear
- Act quickly if you notice redness, swelling, cuts or blisters
- Know who to contact if a problem develops
Early support from a local podiatry or foot protection service can prevent serious complications.
If you would like to see a podiatrist and get some expert advice, contact the Head Clinician at the Bourton Podiatry one of the most respected Podiatrists in the Cotswolds area. Telephone: 01451 824301 or Website: https://bourtonpodiatry.com/contact/
courtesy of diabetes.org.uk.