What Does Diabetic Neuropathy Really Feel Like?
If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, you know that managing foot health is most important to managing your disease. But sometimes, the most serious problems begin with sensations that are easy to dismiss or ignore, unless you get them checked by us at Goldsmith Podiatry. We're talking about peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels over time. Let’s explore what neuropathy actually feels like, so you can recognize the quiet (and sometimes loud) warning signs.
The Quiet: Loss of Sensation
One of the most dangerous ways neuropathy manifests is as a loss of sensation, or numbness. This often begins subtly, typically in the toes, and slowly creeps up the foot, like putting on an invisible glove or sock.
The feeling: You might describe it as having perpetually cold feet, even when they're warm. You might struggle to tell the difference between hot and cold water. You might even lose the ability to feel pain from minor injuries, like a blister from a new shoe, a tack on the floor, or a small burn.
The danger: Losing this sensation is what makes neuropathy so risky to diabetics. Since you don't feel the alarm bells of pain, small wounds can go unnoticed for days or weeks, and turn into infections or ulcers without you even realizing it.
The Loud: Painful Neuropathy
While some people experience numbness, others have painful neuropathy, where the nerves misfire and send incorrect, intense signals to your brain. This is often an early sign that nerve damage is occurring. You might feel:
Burning and Electric Shocks: a persistent, intense burning sensation, especially at night when you're trying to rest. Some of our diabetic patients describe it as if their feet are constantly on fire or submerged in hot water. Others feel sudden, sharp, shooting pains that feel like electric shocks or brief, stabbing jolts.
Pins and Needles/Tingling: This common foot falling asleep feeling can become chronic and pervasive. It's often worse when you are relaxing or… trying to fall asleep (how ironic).
Extreme Sensitivity: Even the lightest touch can feel painful. The weight of a bedsheet or the gentle rub of a sock can become agonizing.
Recognizing the Signs of Diabetic Neuropathy
If you are diabetic and notice any of these symptoms, whether it's the quiet loss of feeling or the loud, painful burning, it's important to speak with your primary care doctor and your podiatrist.
We don’t see neuropathy as something you have to just live with. Catching it early and aggressive management of your blood sugar levels, along with dedicated foot care, are your best defenses against the small tingles, the big aches, and every feeling between the toes.
If you’re looking for more foot care tips, give us a call at (212) 877 1002 so Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina T. Ruff at Goldsmith Podiatry can help guide you in the right direction.