Diabetic foot
Diabetes can reduce feeling and blood flow in your feet, which makes minor problems turn serious quickly. We provide routine care, screening, and urgent treatment to help you prevent complications and stay comfortable.
If you live with diabetes, your feet need a little extra attention. High blood glucose can affect the nerves and circulation, so cuts, blisters, and hard skin may go unnoticed and heal more slowly. Regular podiatry checks and simple daily habits significantly lower the risk of infections and ulcers. We’re here to help you keep your feet safe.If you are looking for help in South Woodford, we can assess the cause and talk you through the most appropriate treatment plan.
Does this sound like you?
You have diabetes and are unsure how to check your feet properly
You notice numbness, tingling, or burning in your toes
Shoes rub and you get blisters or callus that keep returning
A cut or crack is taking a long time to heal
You find it hard to reach your feet to trim nails safely.
You have been told you have neuropathy or poor circulation
Signs and Symptoms of diabetic foot
Reduced feeling: Numbness, tingling, “walking on cotton wool,” or burning sensations.
Skin changes: Dry, cracked heels, hard skin, corns, or callus that build up quickly.
Slow healing: Cuts, blisters, or ulcers that linger or worsen.
Colour or temperature changes: Pale, blue, or red toes, or one foot colder than the other.
Nail problems: Thickened, ingrown, or fungal nails that catch or press on the skin.
Foot shape changes: Bunions, hammertoes, or high-pressure areas that rub in footwear.
Infection signs: Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, discharge, or a bad smell.
Causes
Diabetes affects the whole body but particularly in feet can reduce sensation and impair healing.
Diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy that reduces protective sensation.
Peripheral arterial disease causes poor circulation in feet and can limit healing.
Combined with high pressure from hard skin or poorly fitting shoes, small injuries can become wounds. Dry skin, nail deformities, and fungal infections also raise risk.
Treatment for diabetic foot
Safe, gentle care starts here. We begin with a diabetic foot assessment to check sensation, circulation, skin and nails, then agree a plan.
Treatment may include careful reduction of hard skin and corns to lower pressure, safe nail care, dressings for wounds, and offloading with padding or insoles.
We will explain what to expect, set clear timeframes, and advise on footwear and daily checks to prevent problems. If there are signs of infection or poor blood flow, we will coordinate with your GP or hospital team for antibiotics, imaging or vascular review.
Please avoid corn plasters, home acids or sharp tools. If you notice spreading redness, warmth, swelling, discharge or a dark area, contact urgent care the same day.
What we do at your appointment
- Diabetic foot assessment: Sensation testing, circulation checks, skin and nail review, footwear assessment, and risk rating.
- Routine care: Safe reduction of callus and corns, gentle nail care, advice to prevent pressure points.
- Wound and infection care: Cleansing, dressings, offloading, and coordination with your GP or specialist if antibiotics or imaging are needed.
- Offloading and protection: Padding, temporary insoles, and guidance on custom orthoses if required.
- Footwear guidance: Practical advice on fit, socks, and lacing to reduce rubbing.
- Personal care plan: Clear home-care steps, review schedule, and when to seek urgent help.
Self-care and prevention
Daily checks: Look at the tops, soles, and between toes. Use a mirror or ask someone to help.
Wash and dry: Warm water, mild soap, dry carefully especially between toes.
Moisturise: Apply cream to dry skin, but not between toes.
Nail care: Cut straight across, file edges. If difficult, let us help.
Footwear: Roomy, supportive shoes with a wide toe box and smooth seams. Change socks daily.
Never use corn plasters or sharp tools: These can damage the skin.
Keep active and manage glucose: Follow medical advice for diabetes control.
Stop smoking: Ask your GP for support to improve circulation.
Unsure when to see a podiatrist for diabetes?
We’ll assess risk, treat any pressure points, and give you simple steps to protect your feet day to day.
FAQs
At least once a year for a full diabetic foot check. If you have neuropathy, poor circulation, callus, or previous ulcers, you may need visits every 6 to 12 weeks.
We test feeling and blood flow, examine skin and nails, assess footwear and pressure areas, and give you a risk rating with a clear plan.
No. Acid plasters can burn the skin and lead to ulcers. Book safe removal instead.
Choose supportive shoes with a wide, deep toe box, cushioned insole, and minimal internal seams. Check inside your shoes before wearing.
Do not pop it. Cover with a sterile dressing, keep pressure off, and contact us. If it becomes red, hot, or leaks, seek urgent care.
It can carry risks. Professional medical foot care is safer, especially if you have reduced sensation or circulation problems.
Yes. We gently remove hard skin, treat cracks, and advise on creams and footwear to prevent recurrence.
If you notice spreading redness, warmth, swelling, discharge, a bad smell, sudden pain, or black/dark patches. Contact urgent care or your GP the same day.
What our patients think of Complete Footcare
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Mansoor Butt is a thoroughly lovely and dedicated practitioner. He moved heaven and earth to see me and sort a particularly difficult ingrown toenail. Easily one of the best healthcare practitioners I’ve had to see over the years. The reception staff are wonderful too.
Benj
13 August 2025 -
Very knowledgeable, great advice for running
Liam Gavin
5 March 2026 -
I had some terrible verrucas on both my feet, only after a few visits they've all cleared away. Highly recommend Mr. Butt for anything ailing your feet.
Michael Conlon
28 August 2025 -
Mansoor is fantastic the most gentle,amazing practitioner I’ve ever seen.Honestly I wouldn’t go away were else . Definitely a five star service.
darren may
10 January 2026 -
An excellent chiropodist - my nail problems are sorted quickly and painlessly. I also get good advice on footcare. Very friendly staff.
Roseanne Partridge
25 February 2026