Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSwollen FeetDiabetes and Swollen FeetTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Swollen Feet
Diabetes and Swollen Feet
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many causes of swollen feet, but if you have diabetes, or chronic high blood sugar, swollen feet are a common symptom. Here’s a look at why diabetes can be linked to swollen feet, what it may say about your health, what you can do it about, and when it’s time to see a healthcare provider.Toa55 / Getty ImagesWhat Are Swollen Feet?The medical term for swelling from excess fluid in your body isedema. When your feet swell, it’s calledperipheral edema, and it can make them feel heavy and achy.Your skin may look shiny, and if you press it, the indentation may remain, which is called pitting. If you have a small cut or sore on your swollen feet, some of the excess fluid may ooze from it.Can Swollen Feet Be a Medical Emergency?Swelling in one leg can be a sign of a blood clot that can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have swelling in one leg that feels tender and looks red.Are Swollen Feet a Symptom of Diabetes?Several aspects of diabetes can cause swollen feet and ankles. If your blood sugar isn’t well-controlled, it can affect your blood circulation and nervous system, both of which can lead to edema. Longer-term complications of diabetes like heart or kidney problems can also cause swelling.Here are the most common causes of swollen feet from diabetes:Poor circulationBlood clotsCertain medicationsPoor CirculationOver time, high blood sugar damages the lining of the blood vessels. The small valves that stop the blood from flowing downward due to gravity can start to leak, which is calledvenous insufficiency. The blood pools in the lower legs, and that makes your feet and ankles swell.Nerve damage from high blood sugar can also reduce feeling. If you don’t have pain from a sore or wound, you might overlook it, and it can cause more fluid build-up as the body tries to heal the area.Blood ClotsPeople with diabetes are more prone to develop a kind of blood clot called adeep vein thrombosis, which can make your feet swell. Blood clots can be dangerous because if they break loose, they can travel to your lungs and cause apulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening. Blood clots usually cause swelling in just one leg.MedicationsCertainmedications that treat type 2 diabetesmay cause swollen feet or legs as a side effect. This includes Actos (pioglitazone).Treatment and Management of Swollen FeetKeeping your blood sugar in a healthy range with diet, exercise, and medication (if needed) are good ways tolower the risk of swollen feetfrom diabetes. Tips to reduce swelling include:Keep your feet up, so the fluid flows away from your feet.Wear compression hose to keep fluid from pooling in your lower legs.Exercise, which will stimulate your circulation.Lower your salt intake, which can help you retain less water.When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf your feet and ankles start to swell and you have diabetes, take note if it tends to go away overnight when your legs are raised. If it doesn’t, call a healthcare provider if the swelling lasts more than a day or two. It can be a sign that your blood sugar is too high and you may need a change in treatment.If you see swelling in one leg, you need immediate medical attention, because you may have a blood clot that can be life-threatening. Call 911 or go to the emergency room.SummarySwollen feet are a common symptom of diabetes. High blood sugar can affect your blood vessels, which can allow fluid to pool in your feet and ankles. It can also damage the nerves so you may not notice foot injuries. As your body tries to heal them, that can add to fluid build-up.Blood clots (which can be dangerous) and certain medications may also add to swelling due to diabetes. Exercise and putting your feet up can help swelling. Working with your healthcare team to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range is your best bet to avoid retaining fluid.A Word From VerywellSwollen feet can feel tired and achy, and managing diabetes can be a chore. The picture has changed for the better, though. New devices can make monitoring blood sugar and delivering insulin much less demanding, and new treatments lower the risk of complications. Plus, a healthy lifestyle can go a long way toward keeping you going strong, despite diabetes.Frequently Asked QuestionsSwollen feet and ankles are common symptoms of diabetes, but there can be many other causes. Check with a healthcare provider if your feet stay swollen for more than a day or two.Learn MoreCommon Causes of Foot and Ankle SwellingThere are several reasons for swelling if you have diabetes. Blood vessel damage is common, which can cause blood to pool. High blood sugar can also lead to nerve damage, which can be linked to swelling. Heart and kidney conditions that are associated with diabetes may also cause swelling.Learn MoreHow Untreated Diabetes Affects Your BodyDiabetes itself doesn’t cause foot pain, but the swelling and nerve damage that high blood sugar can cause can make your feet hurt. If your feet lack feeling due to nerve damage, you may not notice sores that would otherwise be painful. Check your feet daily if you have diabetes and signs of nerve damage or sores.Learn MoreDiabetic Foot Ulcers
There are many causes of swollen feet, but if you have diabetes, or chronic high blood sugar, swollen feet are a common symptom. Here’s a look at why diabetes can be linked to swollen feet, what it may say about your health, what you can do it about, and when it’s time to see a healthcare provider.
Toa55 / Getty Images
What Are Swollen Feet?
The medical term for swelling from excess fluid in your body isedema. When your feet swell, it’s calledperipheral edema, and it can make them feel heavy and achy.
Your skin may look shiny, and if you press it, the indentation may remain, which is called pitting. If you have a small cut or sore on your swollen feet, some of the excess fluid may ooze from it.
Can Swollen Feet Be a Medical Emergency?Swelling in one leg can be a sign of a blood clot that can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have swelling in one leg that feels tender and looks red.
Can Swollen Feet Be a Medical Emergency?
Swelling in one leg can be a sign of a blood clot that can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have swelling in one leg that feels tender and looks red.
Are Swollen Feet a Symptom of Diabetes?
Several aspects of diabetes can cause swollen feet and ankles. If your blood sugar isn’t well-controlled, it can affect your blood circulation and nervous system, both of which can lead to edema. Longer-term complications of diabetes like heart or kidney problems can also cause swelling.
Here are the most common causes of swollen feet from diabetes:
Poor Circulation
Over time, high blood sugar damages the lining of the blood vessels. The small valves that stop the blood from flowing downward due to gravity can start to leak, which is calledvenous insufficiency. The blood pools in the lower legs, and that makes your feet and ankles swell.
Nerve damage from high blood sugar can also reduce feeling. If you don’t have pain from a sore or wound, you might overlook it, and it can cause more fluid build-up as the body tries to heal the area.
Blood Clots
People with diabetes are more prone to develop a kind of blood clot called adeep vein thrombosis, which can make your feet swell. Blood clots can be dangerous because if they break loose, they can travel to your lungs and cause apulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening. Blood clots usually cause swelling in just one leg.
Medications
Certainmedications that treat type 2 diabetesmay cause swollen feet or legs as a side effect. This includes Actos (pioglitazone).
Treatment and Management of Swollen Feet
Keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range with diet, exercise, and medication (if needed) are good ways tolower the risk of swollen feetfrom diabetes. Tips to reduce swelling include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If your feet and ankles start to swell and you have diabetes, take note if it tends to go away overnight when your legs are raised. If it doesn’t, call a healthcare provider if the swelling lasts more than a day or two. It can be a sign that your blood sugar is too high and you may need a change in treatment.
If you see swelling in one leg, you need immediate medical attention, because you may have a blood clot that can be life-threatening. Call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Summary
Swollen feet are a common symptom of diabetes. High blood sugar can affect your blood vessels, which can allow fluid to pool in your feet and ankles. It can also damage the nerves so you may not notice foot injuries. As your body tries to heal them, that can add to fluid build-up.
Blood clots (which can be dangerous) and certain medications may also add to swelling due to diabetes. Exercise and putting your feet up can help swelling. Working with your healthcare team to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range is your best bet to avoid retaining fluid.
A Word From Verywell
Swollen feet can feel tired and achy, and managing diabetes can be a chore. The picture has changed for the better, though. New devices can make monitoring blood sugar and delivering insulin much less demanding, and new treatments lower the risk of complications. Plus, a healthy lifestyle can go a long way toward keeping you going strong, despite diabetes.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSwollen feet and ankles are common symptoms of diabetes, but there can be many other causes. Check with a healthcare provider if your feet stay swollen for more than a day or two.Learn MoreCommon Causes of Foot and Ankle SwellingThere are several reasons for swelling if you have diabetes. Blood vessel damage is common, which can cause blood to pool. High blood sugar can also lead to nerve damage, which can be linked to swelling. Heart and kidney conditions that are associated with diabetes may also cause swelling.Learn MoreHow Untreated Diabetes Affects Your BodyDiabetes itself doesn’t cause foot pain, but the swelling and nerve damage that high blood sugar can cause can make your feet hurt. If your feet lack feeling due to nerve damage, you may not notice sores that would otherwise be painful. Check your feet daily if you have diabetes and signs of nerve damage or sores.Learn MoreDiabetic Foot Ulcers
Swollen feet and ankles are common symptoms of diabetes, but there can be many other causes. Check with a healthcare provider if your feet stay swollen for more than a day or two.Learn MoreCommon Causes of Foot and Ankle Swelling
Swollen feet and ankles are common symptoms of diabetes, but there can be many other causes. Check with a healthcare provider if your feet stay swollen for more than a day or two.
Learn MoreCommon Causes of Foot and Ankle Swelling
There are several reasons for swelling if you have diabetes. Blood vessel damage is common, which can cause blood to pool. High blood sugar can also lead to nerve damage, which can be linked to swelling. Heart and kidney conditions that are associated with diabetes may also cause swelling.Learn MoreHow Untreated Diabetes Affects Your Body
There are several reasons for swelling if you have diabetes. Blood vessel damage is common, which can cause blood to pool. High blood sugar can also lead to nerve damage, which can be linked to swelling. Heart and kidney conditions that are associated with diabetes may also cause swelling.
Learn MoreHow Untreated Diabetes Affects Your Body
Diabetes itself doesn’t cause foot pain, but the swelling and nerve damage that high blood sugar can cause can make your feet hurt. If your feet lack feeling due to nerve damage, you may not notice sores that would otherwise be painful. Check your feet daily if you have diabetes and signs of nerve damage or sores.Learn MoreDiabetic Foot Ulcers
Diabetes itself doesn’t cause foot pain, but the swelling and nerve damage that high blood sugar can cause can make your feet hurt. If your feet lack feeling due to nerve damage, you may not notice sores that would otherwise be painful. Check your feet daily if you have diabetes and signs of nerve damage or sores.
Learn MoreDiabetic Foot Ulcers
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hillson R.Lower limb oedema in diabetes.Pract Diab.2017;34(8):266-267. doi:10.1002/pdi.2133Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Causes and signs of edema.Diabetes.co.uk.Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your feet and diabetes.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hillson R.Lower limb oedema in diabetes.Pract Diab.2017;34(8):266-267. doi:10.1002/pdi.2133Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Causes and signs of edema.Diabetes.co.uk.Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your feet and diabetes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hillson R.Lower limb oedema in diabetes.Pract Diab.2017;34(8):266-267. doi:10.1002/pdi.2133Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Causes and signs of edema.Diabetes.co.uk.Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your feet and diabetes.
Hillson R.Lower limb oedema in diabetes.Pract Diab.2017;34(8):266-267. doi:10.1002/pdi.2133
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Causes and signs of edema.
Diabetes.co.uk.Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your feet and diabetes.
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