Diabetes Dry Feet: What It Means and How to Treat It

If you have diabetes and notice your feet feeling dry, rough, or cracked, you’re not alone. Dry skin on the feet is a common yet often overlooked complication of diabetes. While it might seem minor at first, dry feet can lead to more serious problems if not managed properly.

This article explains why diabetes causes dry feet, how to care for them safely, and when to see a doctor.

Why Diabetes Causes Dry Feet

Diabetes affects nearly every part of the body — including the skin. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves and blood vessels that keep your feet healthy. This combination can lead to:

1. Nerve Damage (Peripheral Neuropathy):
   Damaged nerves reduce your ability to feel sensations like dryness, pressure, or pain. The nerves that control moisture and oil production in your skin may also stop working properly, leading to dry, flaky feet.
   
   

2. Poor Circulation:
   High blood sugar can cause blood vessels to narrow, reducing blood flow to the legs and feet. With less oxygen and nutrients reaching the skin, healing slows down, and dryness becomes more common.
   
   

3. Dehydration:
   Diabetes can cause the body to lose fluids more easily, especially if blood sugar levels are uncontrolled. This can make your skin — particularly on your feet — feel dry and tight.
   
   

4. Skin Barrier Changes:
   Elevated glucose levels can alter the skin’s natural barrier, making it harder to retain moisture. As a result, your feet may crack, peel, or become more prone to infection.
   
   

If you’re managing diabetes-related dryness, it’s also helpful to understand how your liver health affects blood sugar balance — explore our guide to at-home liver tests.

Common Symptoms of Diabetic Dry Feet

Dryness from diabetes often develops gradually. You may notice:

• Flaky or rough skin, especially on the heels and soles.

• Tightness, itching, or burning sensations.

• Cracked skin around the heels or between toes.

• Peeling skin that worsens after bathing.

• Redness or mild irritation.

In more severe cases, cracks can deepen into fissures, which may bleed or allow bacteria to enter — increasing the risk of infection or ulcers.

Kidney health and blood sugar control go hand in hand. Learn how to monitor yours safely in our at-home kidney function test guide.

Why It Matters

For people without diabetes, dry feet are mostly a cosmetic issue. But for those with diabetes, the risks are much greater.

Because nerve damage can reduce feeling in the feet, you might not notice a small cut, blister, or infection. If untreated, these minor wounds can worsen into serious complications like:

• Foot ulcers.

• Cellulitis (skin infection).

• Deep tissue infections or abscesses.

• Gangrene, in rare severe cases.

That’s why diabetic foot care — even for something as simple as dryness — plays a key role in preventing long-term problems.

Home Care: How to Treat Dry Feet Safely

Fortunately, with daily attention, most cases of dry feet can be managed at home. Here’s how:

1. Moisturize Every Day

Apply a rich, fragrance-free lotion or cream to your feet daily. Look for ingredients like:

• Urea or lactic acid — help exfoliate and retain moisture.

• Ceramides — restore the skin barrier.

• Petrolatum — seals in moisture.

Avoid applying moisturizer between the toes, as this can trap moisture and increase the risk of fungal infections.

2. Wash Gently

Use lukewarm (not hot) water and a mild soap to clean your feet once a day. Pat them dry carefully — especially between the toes — and moisturize immediately afterward.

3. Check Your Feet Daily

Inspect your feet for cracks, blisters, redness, or sores. Use a mirror or ask for help if you can’t see the bottoms of your feet. Early detection prevents complications.

4. Wear Proper Footwear

Choose breathable, well-fitting shoes and clean socks made of cotton or moisture-wicking fabric. Avoid walking barefoot, even indoors, to prevent injury.

5. Trim Nails Carefully

Cut toenails straight across and file sharp edges. If you have poor vision, neuropathy, or circulation problems, ask a podiatrist to trim your nails safely.

6. Stay Hydrated and Manage Blood Sugar

Drink enough water daily and keep your blood glucose levels within your target range. Balanced hydration and glucose control improve skin health over time.

People with diabetes are also more prone to urinary tract infections — our UTI test guide explains early signs and home testing options.

When to See a Doctor

You should contact your healthcare provider if you notice:

• Cracks or fissures that don’t heal.

• Signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or pain).

• Peeling or scaling between toes.

• Discoloration or thickened skin.

• Numbness or tingling in your feet.

If you have diabetic neuropathy or poor circulation, even small injuries need professional attention. Early intervention helps prevent complications that could affect mobility or require surgery.

Medical Treatments for Dry Feet in Diabetes

If home care isn’t enough, your doctor or podiatrist may recommend:

• Prescription creams or ointments with higher concentrations of urea or lactic acid to deeply hydrate thickened skin.

• Antifungal medications if athlete’s foot or fungal infection is present.

• Wound care treatments if cracks or ulcers develop.

• Compression therapy for swelling related to circulation problems.

In some cases, your doctor may also refer you to a diabetes foot clinic for specialized care.

For a simple way to track your overall wellness, including signs of dehydration or metabolic imbalance, explore the Ribbon Checkup Urine Test guide.

Preventing Dry Feet

Prevention is the cornerstone of diabetic foot care. Try incorporating these habits into your daily routine:

1. Keep your feet clean and moisturized.

2. Wear comfortable shoes and socks at all times.

3. Avoid extreme temperatures — both hot baths and cold exposure can dry out your skin.

4. See a podiatrist regularly, at least once a year, for a professional foot exam.

5. Control blood sugar levels — good glucose management reduces nerve and circulation problems.

Blood sugar imbalance can also contribute to liver and metabolic issues — learn more in our overview on glucose in urine.

The Role of Blood Sugar Control

Keeping blood glucose levels stable is one of the most effective ways to improve foot health. Chronically high sugar levels lead to poor nerve function and reduced sweating, both of which worsen dryness.

Work with your healthcare provider to develop a diabetes management plan that includes:

• A balanced diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

• Regular physical activity suited to your ability.

• Routine blood sugar monitoring.

• Medications or insulin as prescribed.

Even small improvements in blood sugar control can reduce symptoms like dry skin, numbness, and slow healing.

Understanding Nerve and Circulation Damage

Diabetic neuropathy affects up to 50 percent of people with diabetes after 10 years or more of the condition. When nerves don’t send signals properly, sweat glands stop working efficiently, leading to dry and cracked skin.

At the same time, narrowed blood vessels make it harder for oxygen and nutrients to reach the skin. This combination — dryness plus poor circulation — creates an environment where wounds heal slowly and infections can spread quickly.

That’s why doctors emphasize early, consistent foot care even before major symptoms appear.

When Cracked Feet Become Infected

If cracks deepen or become infected, it’s crucial to act quickly. Signs of infection include:

• Increased redness or warmth.

• Swelling or tenderness.

• Pus or fluid drainage.

• Fever or chills.

Infections in people with diabetes can worsen rapidly. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or recommend wound care to prevent complications.

If your doctor recommends checking for glucose in your urine, read our overview on glucose in urine to understand what your results might mean.

The Bottom Line

Dry feet are a common issue for people with diabetes, but they’re not something to ignore. They can be an early sign of nerve or circulation problems that need attention.

Daily moisturizing, gentle cleansing, and careful foot inspection are key to preventing complications. Controlling your blood sugar levels is equally important for long-term skin and nerve health.

If you notice cracks, peeling, or slow-healing areas, reach out to your doctor or podiatrist promptly — early care can make all the difference.

Want to check your blood sugar and nerve health from home?
You can take an at-home diabetes and metabolic health test through Ribbon Checkup and get results in days.

Explore diabetes health tests →

Related Resources

• Mayo Clinic: Diabetes Foot Care

• American Diabetes Association: Foot Complications

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Nerve Damage and Foot Problems
  
  

References

References

1. Mayo Clinic. (2025). Diabetes Foot Care and Skin Health.
   

2. American Diabetes Association. (2024). Diabetic Neuropathy and Skin Care.
   

3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2024). Managing Foot Problems in Diabetes.
   

4. Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Diabetic Foot Complications: Prevention and Treatment.