What it is
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore, usually on the bottom of the foot, that can develop in people with diabetes. Prevention means reducing the chances that one forms in the first place, or that a healed one returns.
Several factors can raise the risk. Nerve changes (neuropathy) can make it harder to feel a blister or small injury. Reduced blood flow can slow healing, and foot shape changes, calluses, or pressure points can add stress to the skin.
Because small problems may go unnoticed, a minor spot can sometimes become a larger wound. That is why foot health is often discussed as an ongoing part of diabetes care rather than something addressed only after a sore appears.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Traditionally, prevention has centered on regular foot checks, both by the person at home and by a clinician during scheduled visits. These checks look at skin, nails, sensation, circulation, and foot structure.
Care teams have also commonly discussed footwear, socks, and ways to reduce pressure or friction on the feet. Professional nail and callus care, and attention to overall diabetes management, are often part of the conversation.
Approaches differ from person to person, and different clinicians, such as primary care providers, podiatrists, and wound care specialists, may emphasize different pieces. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation.
How the right wound care specialist may help
A wound care specialist or foot-focused provider may help by assessing your individual risk. A visit generally includes a conversation about your health history, a look at your feet and skin, and often checks of sensation and circulation. It may also include a review of your current footwear.
Based on what they find, the provider may talk with you about what has helped others in similar situations, such as options for protective footwear or how often feet might be rechecked. These are possibilities to discuss, not promises of any outcome.
Useful questions to ask a licensed provider include: What is my personal risk level and why? What signs should I watch for? How often should my feet be examined? What are my options for footwear or other support, and what might insurance cover? If I ever develop a wound, how is its cause and staging determined, and what is the expected healing time?
The whole-person view
Body, mind, and stress affect each other. Living with diabetes involves many daily tasks, and feeling overwhelmed can make routines like foot checks harder to keep up. Stress, sleep, and mood can also shape how people care for themselves.
Some people find body-based support, such as the approaches offered through Somatic Experiences, helpful for reconnecting with physical sensations. Others value talk therapy through Therapists.plus to work through worry or burnout around chronic health. These are optional complements to, not replacements for, care from your medical team.
Somatic Experiences: trauma and emotional healing →Somatic Experiences: embodiment and movement →Therapists.plus: mind body connection →
Keep in mind
- This page is educational and does not diagnose or provide medical advice; only a licensed clinician can evaluate your feet and recommend care.
- Seek medical care promptly for any sign of infection, including spreading redness, red streaking, increasing warmth or pain, pus, foul odor, fever, or chills, or for a wound that is quickly getting worse.
- For emergencies such as heavy bleeding, exposed bone or tendon, signs of sepsis, or a deep or severely contaminated wound, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
- If you are in emotional crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
Frequently asked questions
What is diabetic foot ulcer prevention?
Diabetic foot ulcer prevention is the set of habits and professional checks aimed at lowering the chance that a foot sore develops in someone with diabetes. It commonly includes regular foot examinations, attention to skin and footwear, and overall diabetes management. A licensed provider can explain what applies to you.
Why are people with diabetes more likely to get foot ulcers?
Nerve changes, reduced circulation, and foot shape or pressure issues can each raise the risk. Neuropathy may make it harder to feel injuries, and poor blood flow can slow healing. A provider can help assess which factors apply to you.
Who can help with diabetic foot ulcer prevention?
Primary care providers, podiatrists, and wound care specialists are among the professionals who commonly help. A wound care specialist may evaluate your risk, examine your feet, and discuss options. You can browse independent specialists through WoundKare.
How often should feet be checked if you have diabetes?
The right schedule depends on your individual risk, so it is best set by a licensed provider. Many care teams discuss both regular self-checks at home and periodic professional exams. Ask your provider what is appropriate for you.
What signs of a foot problem need prompt medical attention?
Spreading redness, red streaking, increasing warmth or pain, pus, foul odor, fever, or chills are signs of possible infection and call for prompt medical care. A wound that is rapidly worsening should also be seen quickly. For heavy bleeding, exposed bone or tendon, or signs of sepsis, call 911 or go to the ER.
Does insurance cover diabetic foot care and prevention?
Coverage varies by plan, provider, and the specific service or product. Ask your insurer and your licensed provider what is covered before you start. They can also help explain documentation your plan may require.
Educational resource. WoundKare shares general information and connects people with independent wound care specialists. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.