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Diabetes & circulation
With diabetes, we check feeling, circulation, skin and footwear and explain what to watch for—even when nothing hurts.
Unsure what to look for when checking your feet with diabetes? You don’t have to work it out alone. We check feeling, circulation, skin and footwear, and explain what to watch for—even when nothing hurts.
Why a check matters when your feet feel fine
Diabetes, circulation conditions and ageing can affect feeling and healing. Reduced feeling can let a rub, blister or pressure spot worsen unnoticed, so comfortable feet can still need checking. A regular check aims to help protect your feet, recognise changes early and support safe walking and footwear choices; it cannot remove every risk.
Circulation warning signs
- Calf, thigh or buttock pain that comes on with walking and eases with rest: book a GP appointment; a podiatry check can include your foot pulses.
- Foot pain at rest or at night, or a sore that is not healing: see a GP the same day; this can need an urgent vascular referral.
Looking after your feet between checks
Every day: check both feet, including the soles and between the toes, for breaks in the skin, blisters, redness, swelling or colour change; use a mirror or ask for help if needed. Check inside your shoes before putting them on, avoid walking barefoot and do not cut corns or callus yourself.
New wound or sudden change: use the urgent-care guidance rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Routine check: see what a diabetic foot check covers.
Tell us if seeing, reaching or checking your feet is difficult, so we can discuss practical support. Related: routine foot care.
Booking a routine check
A routine diabetic foot check looks at feeling, circulation, skin, nails and footwear, and we explain your level of risk and what to do next. The diabetic foot check page covers what is assessed and what to bring. Where relevant, we coordinate with your GP or other clinicians.