A DAILY DUTY FOR DIABETICS … CHECK YOUR FEET

IT IS a grim statistic: 25 toe, foot and leg amputations are carried out on patients with diabetes every day. There have been 27,465 such operations since 2015 – a significant increase on previous years – and linked to rising numbers of Britons with the blood sugar disease, related to obesity.

Diabetes raises the risk of foot problems because it causes nerve damage and circulation issues. A small wound or sore can easily go unnoticed until infection has set in. And lack of blood supply means it may never heal.

All diabetics are offered an annual NHS foot check to test nerve function and blood supply. These are vital to pick up subtle early signs of a problem. But self-care is also vital: Diabetes UK recommends patients check their feet every day.

So when you are about to put on your socks, have a good look. If you see any changes, visit your GP immediately.