7 Surprising Factors That Could Be Worsening Your Diabetic Foot Pain 

About 1 in 8 Americans has diabetes. Diabetic foot pain is a common concern among them, and it’s not always just about blood sugar. From the shoes sitting in your closet to smoking or skipped movement, everyday habits can quietly make diabetic foot pain worse. 

The good news? Identifying a few surprising triggers can help you take steps toward feeling more comfortable, supported, and steady on your feet. 

See our dual board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon, Jason Armstrong, DPM, in Shenandoah or Humble, Texas, for a personalized diabetic foot pain treatment plan.

Cause of diabetic foot pain

The main cause of diabetic foot problems is mismanaged diabetes, or uncontrolled blood sugar. But several triggers can worsen your pain or contribute to additional diabetic-related foot problems. Knowing what they are can optimize your foot health and overall well-being. 

Triggers for worsening diabetic foot pain

Here are seven triggers to steer clear of to keep your feet healthy and happy when you have diabetes.

1. Smoking

Being a smoker may worsen diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), as it can reduce blood flow to your feet. If you need help quitting, Dr. Armstrong offers referrals to smoking cessation programs. 

2. Excess weight

Carrying excess weight can make it more difficult to control blood sugar levels, and it increases the risk of nerve damage in your feet. If you’re having difficulty maintaining a healthy weight on your own, medically supervised weight loss programs can help you achieve your goal. Eating healthy foods assists with weight management and diabetic blood sugar control. 

3. Uncomfy shoes

Wearing shoes that are uncomfortable, high-heeled, or too small are common causes of worsening diabetic foot pain. They can also cause foot injuries, which may boost the risk of ulcers, infections, and other diabetic foot-related concerns.

4. High blood pressure and/or cholesterol

While this may seem surprising, having high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol increases the risk of nerve damage in your feet. This can add to bothersome symptoms like foot pain, tingling, numbness, prickling, or burning discomfort. 

You might adopt healthy lifestyle habits, take medications, or both to help control your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers.

5. Walking barefoot 

Walking barefoot increases the risk of wounds and other foot injuries, which can turn into more serious diabetes-related complications. Consider wearing comfortable and well-fitted shoes, especially when walking outdoors, to keep your feet protected.

6. Skipped workouts

Regular exercise may seem difficult if you struggle with foot pain, but physical activity helps boost blood flow to your feet, aids in healthy weight management, and supports blood sugar control. If jogging or jumping is painful, consider things like swimming, walking, yoga, rowing, or cycling instead.

7. Soaking your feet

While keeping your feet clean is highly important when you have diabetes, soaking your feet is something you may need to steer clear of. Soaking can increase skin dryness, boosting the chance of skin cracks, sores, and infections. Applying lotion to your feet helps keep them moisturized and protected. 

Personalizing a diabetic foot pain treatment plan

Dr. Armstrong personalizes a diabetic foot pain treatment plan based on your medical history, symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. He follows up routinely to help you avoid worsening foot pain and other diabetes complications. See him right away if you notice new or unusual symptoms. 

Visit with Jason Armstrong, DPM, for a personalized diabetic foot pain treatment plan by contacting us in Shenandoah or Humble, Texas, by phone or booking an appointment online today.