Diabetic Foot Care in Summer: 7 Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Summer is a busy season in Niagara - sandals, pool decks, and more time outdoors all mean more exposure for your feet. For people managing diabetes, this is a good time of year to pay a little extra attention to foot health. At Orvitz Podiatry Clinic in St. Catharines, we provide diabetic foot care services to help patients throughout the Niagara region stay ahead of potential complications. Here are seven things worth keeping an eye on this summer.

1. Cuts or Blisters That Are Slow to Heal

Open-toe shoes mean more exposed skin, and small cuts or blisters are common in summer. For people with diabetes, healing can sometimes take longer due to circulation and nerve sensitivity, so it's worth keeping an eye on anything that hasn't visibly improved after a few days.

What to do: If a cut or blister hasn't shown improvement within 2-3 days, it should be looked at by a professional.

2. Numbness or Tingling

Diabetes can affect the nerves in the feet over time, sometimes called peripheral neuropathy. This can show up as numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" feeling, and it's because it can make it harder to feel an injury when it happens.

What to do: If you've noticed numbness or tingling, a foot exam can help assess what's going on.

3. Swelling in One Foot More Than the Other

Some swelling is common in summer heat. Swelling that's noticeably more on one side, especially with redness or warmth, is worth having checked.

4. Changes in Skin Colour

Skin that looks unusually red, pale, purple, or blotchy can sometimes point to changes in blood flow and is worth mentioning at your next visit or sooner if it persists.

5. One Foot Feeling Warmer Than the Other

A noticeable temperature difference between feet can sometimes indicate inflammation, even without visible changes on the surface.

6. Dry, Cracking Skin Around the Heels

Warm weather and open footwear can dry out skin. For people with diabetes, cracked skin is worth monitoring since it can be more prone to irritation. Custom orthotics can also help reduce friction for some patients — worth asking about at your next visit.

7. Any Sore or Wound That Isn't Improving

It’s important to have professional assess any sore that isn't clearly improving within a few days rather than waiting to see if it resolves on its own.

A Few Simple Summer Habits

•  Check your feet each evening, including between the toes.
•  Avoid walking barefoot, including at home or by the pool.
•  Choose supportive sandals over flip-flops where possible.
•  Keep feet moisturized, but dry between the toes.
•  Keep up with your regular diabetic foot checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should someone with diabetes check their feet?

A daily check, ideally each evening, is a helpful habit - including between the toes and the soles, where changes can be easy to miss.

Why does diabetes affect foot healing?

Diabetes can affect circulation and nerve sensitivity over time, which is why cuts, blisters, and sores may take longer to heal and should be monitored closely.

Are sandals bad for people with diabetes?

Not necessarily, but supportive sandals are generally a better choice than flip-flops, which offer less protection and can increase the chance of small injuries.

When should I see a podiatrist for diabetic foot care?

If you notice any of the changes above - slow-healing cuts, numbness, swelling, or skin colour changes, it's important to have them

assessed rather than waiting for your next scheduled visit.

Visiting Orvitz Podiatry Clinic in St. Catharines

If you've noticed any of the changes above, our team provides diabetic foot care services for patients across St. Catharines and the Niagara region. We take the time to listen and explain what we're seeing, so you understand your options clearly

Have a question about a change you've noticed this summer? Book an appointment with Orvitz Podiatry Clinic.