Diabetic_Foot_Winter_Textbook_Editable12
                     HEALTH EDUCATION • WINTER FOOT CARE
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF 
DIABETIC FOOT IN WINTER?
Warning signs • Daily care • When to seek medical help
GENERAL EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION — NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL CARE
How to use this guide 2
Learning objectives
01 Understand why winter can increase foot-care risks for people living 
with diabetes.
02 Recognize common warning signs, including numbness, cold feet, skin 
cracks, swelling, colour changes, pain, and slow-healing wounds.
03 Learn simple daily foot-care habits and when to seek urgent medical 
attention.
1. Understanding Diabetic Foot Problems 3
Diabetic foot problems can develop when persistently high blood glucose 
contributes to nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) and poor circulation. 
Reduced sensation may make it difficult to notice injuries, while reduced 
blood flow can slow healing.
During winter, dry air, cold exposure, and changes in activity or footwear 
can add to foot-care challenges. Cold feet alone do not prove that 
circulation is poor; persistent coldness or other changes should be 
assessed by a healthcare professional.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
2. Numbness, Tingling, or Reduced Sensation 4
Numbness, pins-and-needles, or reduced ability to feel pressure, pain, or 
temperature may be signs of diabetic nerve damage. A person may not 
notice a blister, cut, or shoe-related injury.
Check both feet every day, including the soles and between the toes. Use 
a mirror or ask someone for help if you cannot see all areas. Do not use 
hot water bottles, heating pads, or very hot water to warm numb feet, 
because burns may go unnoticed.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
3. Cold Feet and Circulation Changes 5
Feet that remain unusually cold, especially alongside pain, colour 
changes, or wounds that do not heal, may indicate a circulation problem. 
Diabetes can increase the risk of peripheral artery disease.
Keep feet warm with comfortable, dry socks and well-fitting footwear. 
Avoid tight socks or shoes that restrict circulation. Do not place feet 
directly against heaters or other high-heat sources.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
4. Dry Skin, Cracks, and Calluses 6
Cold weather and low humidity can dry the skin. Cracked heels or skin 
breaks can provide an entry point for infection. Thick calluses may hide 
pressure damage or an ulcer underneath.
Wash feet gently with lukewarm water and dry carefully, especially between 
the toes. Apply moisturizer to dry skin, but avoid putting cream between the 
toes. Do not cut calluses yourself or use chemical corn removers; ask a 
clinician or foot-care specialist for advice.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
5. Swelling and Skin Colour Changes 7
New swelling, redness, bluish or dark colour changes, unusual warmth, or 
one foot looking different from the other should not be ignored. These 
signs can have several causes, including infection, inflammation, injury, or 
reduced blood flow.
Seek prompt medical assessment for new or unexplained changes. A 
suddenly cold, pale or blue foot, severe pain, or rapidly worsening 
symptoms may be an emergency.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
6. Pain, Burning, or Night-Time Discomfort 8
Burning, shooting pain, aching, or pain that is worse at night can occur 
with diabetic nerve damage. Pain while walking or pain at rest can also be 
related to circulation problems.
Do not assume persistent pain is simply due to winter. Arrange a clinical 
review, particularly if pain is new, worsening, or accompanied by skin 
changes or a wound.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
7. Cuts, Blisters, Ulcers, and Slow-Healing Wounds 9
Small cuts, blisters, cracks, or sores may become serious when sensation 
is reduced or circulation is poor. A wound that is not improving, or any 
new open sore on a person with diabetes, deserves prompt professional 
advice.
Seek urgent care if a wound has spreading redness, increasing warmth or 
swelling, pus, a bad smell, fever, or rapidly worsening pain. Blackened 
tissue or a suddenly cold, pale or blue foot requires emergency 
assessment.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
8. Daily Winter Foot-Care Routine 10
Inspect both feet every day, including the soles, heels, and spaces 
between the toes.
Wash with lukewarm—not hot—water and dry thoroughly.
Moisturize dry skin, avoiding the spaces between the toes.
Wear clean, dry socks and properly fitting shoes; check inside shoes for 
stones, rough seams, or objects before putting them on.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
Change damp socks promptly and avoid walking barefoot, indoors or 
outdoors.
9. When to Get Medical Help 11
Contact a healthcare professional promptly for a new blister, cut, ulcer, 
swelling, colour change, persistent coldness, or worsening pain.
Get urgent same-day assessment for a foot wound with signs of infection or a 
new open sore. Seek emergency care for sudden severe pain, a suddenly cold 
or pale/blue foot, blackened tissue, or rapidly spreading infection with fever or 
feeling very unwell.
People with diabetes and a foot wound should not wait for it to become 
painful—nerve damage can reduce pain sensation.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
Key Takeaways 12
Winter foot care is especially important when diabetes affects sensation or 
circulation.
Daily inspection, safe warming, suitable footwear, skin care, and blood 
glucose management can help reduce risk.
Early professional assessment of wounds and unusual changes may help 
prevent complications.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
Educational Note 13
This material is for general education and does not replace personal 
medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Foot problems in people with 
diabetes can become serious quickly. Follow the advice of your own 
healthcare professional.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN WINTER  •  EDITABLE TEXTBOOK
Quick daily checklist 14
Look at both feet, soles, heels, and between toes.
Check for cracks, blisters, cuts, swelling, colour changes, or 
drainage.
Wash gently; dry carefully; moisturize dry skin (not between toes).
Wear dry socks and well-fitting shoes; never warm numb feet with 
direct heat.
Get prompt advice for any new wound or unusual change.
Emergency warning signs: sudden cold/pale/blue foot, blackened tissue, severe 
pain, or rapidly spreading infection.
Always follow the advice of your diabetes and foot-care team.