If you have diabetes and you’re feeling numbness, tingling, burning, or ‘pins and needles’ in your feet, you’re not alone. These symptoms are commonly caused by diabetic neuropathy (diabetic nerve damage).
Because diabetes can also affect blood flow to the legs and feet (peripheral artery disease, or PAD), we take a whole-picture approach: we look at nerve-related symptoms and also assess whether circulation may be contributing—especially when symptoms are worsening or you have wounds.
At a glance:
Symptoms can be mild at first and become more noticeable over time. Some people feel pain, while others mainly notice numbness or reduced sensation.
Nerve symptoms and circulation symptoms can overlap. For example, burning or numbness may be neuropathy, while cramping with walking or rest pain may suggest circulation issues.
If poor circulation is present, treating blood flow problems can be important—especially to reduce wound risk and protect long-term foot health.
Please seek urgent medical evaluation if you notice any of the following:
At MINT, our goal is to identify what’s driving your symptoms and build a plan that may include nerve-pain strategies, circulation evaluation, and coordinated care.
If your symptoms suggest PAD or reduced blood flow, we can evaluate and treat circulation issues when appropriate.
If you have diabetes and neuropathy-like symptoms, don’t wait until a small problem becomes a foot ulcer. An evaluation can help clarify what’s going on and what options make sense for you.
Medical information is for general education and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. For emergencies (severe sudden symptoms, chest pain, shortness of breath), call 911.
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. It often affects the feet and can cause pain, tingling, or numbness.
Some nerve symptoms can improve depending on the cause and how early it’s addressed, but many cases require long-term management. Tight blood sugar control and targeted symptom management can help.
Neuropathy often causes burning/tingling/numbness, while PAD commonly causes cramping with walking, cold toes, color change, rest pain, or wounds that don’t heal. Evaluation is the best way to distinguish.
Reduced sensation makes it easier to miss injuries or pressure points. That can lead to ulcers, infections, and complications.
If you have diabetes and a wound that isn’t healing, seek prompt evaluation. If there’s spreading redness, drainage, fever, or blackened tissue, seek urgent care.