Diabetes Foot Ulcer Risk

A foot ulcer is an open wound that can develop on the foot. In people with diabetes, the risk of ulcers is higher because of changes in sensation, circulation, and skin health. The good news is that many problems can be identified early and managed before they progress.

Understanding risk factors and recognising early signs can make a significant difference in preventing complications. For a broader overview of diabetes-related foot care, you can also visit our diabetes foot assessment page.

Early Care Prevents Complications

Small problems can be managed early before they become more serious.

What is a foot ulcer?

A foot ulcer is a wound or breakdown in the skin that does not heal as expected. It may start from a small area of pressure, rubbing, a blister, or a crack in the skin. Without proper care, it can become deeper or infected.

This is one reason regular monitoring matters. A structured diabetes foot check can help pick up early warning signs before a small problem becomes harder to manage.

Why ulcer risk is higher in diabetes

Several factors can increase ulcer risk in people with diabetes:

• Reduced sensation, making it harder to feel injury
• Circulation changes that may slow healing
• Pressure areas and callus build-up
• Skin dryness and cracking
• Footwear that causes rubbing or pressure

These risk factors often overlap. Reduced feeling from diabetic neuropathy may make it harder to notice damage, while slower healing linked to poor circulation can make recovery more difficult once the skin has broken down.

Early warning signs to look out for

• Redness or darkened areas of skin
• Blisters or rubbing from footwear
• Cracks or dry skin, especially around the heels
• Callus build-up over pressure points
• Wounds that are slow to heal

Hard skin and pressure points deserve proper attention in diabetes because they can increase stress on the tissue underneath. If this is part of the problem, it is worth reading more about diabetes, calluses, corns and pressure areas.

Skin cracks, fungal nails, and thick nails can also contribute to rubbing or skin stress. You can read more on our diabetes skin and nail problems page.

Who is at higher risk?

• People with reduced sensation in their feet
• Those with poor circulation
• Anyone with a history of foot wounds or ulcers
• People with significant callus or pressure areas
• Those wearing poorly fitting footwear

If you are unsure about your risk, even in the absence of pain, it is sensible to start with a structured assessment rather than waiting for a problem to become obvious.

Preventing foot ulcers

Preventing ulcers starts with regular foot checks and early management of risk factors. Monitoring skin, pressure areas, sensation, and circulation helps identify problems before they progress.

• Have regular diabetes foot assessments
• Check your feet daily for changes
• Manage callus and pressure areas early
• Wear appropriate, well-fitted footwear
• Seek help promptly if you notice any changes

Even simple issues such as rubbing, cracks, or thickened skin deserve early attention in diabetes, because they can be the starting point for a larger problem.

Understanding your diabetes foot health

• Start with a full diabetes foot assessment
• Learn what happens during a diabetes foot check
• Reduced sensation increases risk – read about diabetic neuropathy
• Circulation also plays a role – see circulation problems
• Pressure areas can contribute – visit our diabetes pressure and callus page and broader corns and calluses page
• Skin and nail health matters too – see our diabetes skin and nail problems and wider skin and nails page

Frequently asked questions

Diabetes foot care in Craigieburn & Gladstone Park

We help patients across Melbourne’s north assess foot risk, manage pressure areas, and prevent complications in Craigieburn and Gladstone Park.