Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of the Feet

Overview

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-term high blood sugar. It usually starts in the toes and feet and can spread upward. It may cause pain, numbness, or both. Numbness raises the risk of foot injuries that go unnoticed.

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Burning, stabbing or electric-shock pain in the feet, often worse at night
• Tingling or pins and needles
• Numbness or reduced ability to feel temperature or pain
• Sensitivity to light touch
• Balance problems
• Foot sores that heal slowly

When to Contact a Provider

Tell your provider about new foot pain, numbness or tingling. Cuts, blisters or sores that don't heal, or signs of infection, need prompt care.

How Treatment May Help

Blood sugar management, daily foot care and oral nerve-pain medicines are the core of treatment. For nerve pain in the feet, a provider may also prescribe Qutenza, a high-strength capsaicin patch applied in a clinic. It may help reduce pain for some patients and can be repeated as often as every three months if your provider recommends it. It does not reverse nerve damage.

Therapies That May Be Available at Infuse Care

• Qutenza (capsaicin 8% topical system): a patch applied to the skin of the feet by a healthcare professional for about 30 minutes. It is a topical treatment, not an infusion or injection.

Safety and Monitoring

Redness, burning or pain where the patch is applied is common during and after treatment, and cooling or pain relief may be offered. Pain can raise blood pressure for a short time, so it is checked during the visit. The patch is handled only by trained staff and is kept away from the eyes and face.

Your prescribing provider decides which treatment is right for you. Infuse Care administers prescribed therapies after a referral, a clinical review and any required insurance authorization, and we keep your provider's office updated on your care.