Diabetes and Foot Health: Why Early Care Matters

Why Does Diabetes Make Foot Health So Important?

Diabetes can affect the nerves and circulation in the feet. For some people, this can mean reduced sensation, changes in blood flow or a reduced ability to notice an injury or pressure area.

That’s important because foot problems don’t always announce themselves with pain.

A blister from a shoe, an area of hard skin or a small break in the skin may seem minor. But if sensation is reduced, you may not notice the problem developing in the same way you normally would.

This is one of the reasons preventative foot care and knowing what is normal for your own feet are so valuable when you live with diabetes. You can learn more about how diabetes can affect your feet in our blog, ‘Diabetes Doesn’t Just Affect Blood Sugar, It Affects Your Feet Too.’

Early Care Doesn’t Mean Waiting Until Something Is Wrong

One of the most important messages we can share during Diabetes Action Month is that looking after your feet isn’t only about responding to a serious problem.

Early care can be as simple as:

• becoming familiar with how your feet normally look and feel
• checking your feet regularly for changes
• wearing well-fitting footwear
• looking after your skin and nails safely
• having changes in sensation, skin or circulation assessed
• knowing when a foot problem needs professional attention.

A podiatry assessment can also help establish your individual level of foot risk and identify changes that may not be obvious to you.

What Changes Should You Pay Attention To?

If you live with diabetes, it is worth paying attention to changes such as:

• numbness, tingling or burning in your feet
• reduced or altered sensation
• changes in skin colour or temperature
• persistent swelling or redness
• cracks, blisters, cuts or other breaks in the skin
• wounds that are slow to heal
• increasing areas of hard skin or callus
• changes to your toenails
• rubbing or pressure from footwear.

Some changes require more urgent attention than others. If you notice a new wound, signs of infection, significant redness or swelling, or a foot problem that is worsening rather than improving, seek appropriate medical or podiatry advice promptly.

We’ll look more closely at the specific warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored in our next Diabetes Action Month article. Keep an eye out for this on the 16th November.

What Happens During a Diabetes Foot Assessment?

A diabetes foot assessment is about more than simply looking at your toenails.

At Norwest Podiatry, an assessment may include checking your circulation, nerve sensation, skin and nail health and looking for areas of pressure or other changes that could increase your risk of developing a foot problem.

Your Podiatrist can also discuss footwear, day-to-day foot care and how frequently your feet should be reviewed based on your individual circumstances and risk.

For a more detailed explanation of our diabetes foot assessments and ongoing care, visit our Diabetic Foot Care service page.

Supporting People, Not Judging Them

Diabetes Action Month’s 2026 focus on ending diabetes stigma is an important reminder that the way we talk about health matters.

There are different types of diabetes and many different factors involved in living with and managing the condition. Foot-care conversations should be supportive and practical, not about blame.

If something has changed with your feet, you’ve found it difficult to manage your nails or skin, or it’s simply been a while since anyone assessed your foot health, the important thing is knowing what to do next.

Asking for help early is part of looking after your health.

Diabetic Foot Care in Auckland

At Norwest Podiatry, we provide diabetes foot assessments and ongoing foot care for people from Huapai, West Auckland and across the wider Auckland area.

Depending on your individual foot-risk level and healthcare pathway, you may also be eligible for funded podiatry care through an appropriate referral. Eligibility and the number of funded appointments available can vary, so this needs to be determined through the relevant healthcare pathway.

If you’re unsure, our team can help explain the options available to you.

When Should I See a Podiatrist?

You don’t have to wait until you have a painful foot problem to see a Podiatrist.

If you live with diabetes and have noticed a change in your feet, have difficulty safely managing your skin or nails, are experiencing altered sensation, or haven’t had your foot health assessed recently, a podiatry appointment can help establish what care may be appropriate for you.

At Norwest Podiatry, our aim is to identify concerns early, support good foot health and help people remain comfortable, active and on their feet.

Book a diabetic foot assessment with one of our Norwest Podiatry clinics in West Auckland, or contact our team if you’d like to discuss your foot-care needs.

Diabetes Action Month 2026

Diabetes Action Month runs throughout November in New Zealand. This year’s End Diabetes Stigma campaign encourages New Zealanders to challenge judgement and assumptions about diabetes and create a more supportive environment for people living with the condition.

Learn more about Diabetes Action Month and the End Diabetes Stigma campaign at Diabetes New Zealand.