Juvenile Diabetes
Juvenile diabetes — also known as Type 1 diabetes — is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, meaning the body can no longer produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar. People with Type 1 diabetes require insulin to live, and over time the condition can affect the circulation and nerves, including those that supply the feet.
What Is Juvenile (Type 1) Diabetes?
Unlike Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 is not related to lifestyle and most often appears in childhood or adolescence. It's managed day to day with insulin, blood glucose monitoring, and good general health habits. While the feet are rarely an immediate concern in children, building positive foot-care habits early helps reduce the risk of complications later in life — when sustained high blood sugar can contribute to poor wound healing, reduced sensation (neuropathy) and changes to circulation [1].
Causes & Symptoms to Watch For
Type 1 diabetes itself is caused by the immune system, not by anything a child has done. When it comes to foot health, the things worth keeping an eye on include:
- Cuts, blisters or grazes that are slow to heal
- Reduced feeling, numbness, tingling or unusual sensations in the feet
- Cold feet or changes in skin colour
- Dry, cracked skin or recurring infections
- Any pain, swelling or change in foot shape
For most children with well-managed diabetes, the feet will look and feel completely normal. Regular checks are simply a good habit — a way of catching small issues early and teaching kids to care for their feet for life.
How Blueprint Podiatry Assesses & Helps Manage Diabetic Foot Health
Our podiatry team — three registered podiatrists, each holding a Bachelor of Podiatry — provides diabetic foot care designed to monitor and protect foot health over time. A typical assessment may include:
- Circulation testing to check blood flow to the feet
- Neurological (sensation) testing to assess nerve function
- Skin and nail checks to identify dry skin, pressure areas or early signs of breakdown
- Footwear and pressure advice to reduce friction and protect vulnerable areas
- Education for children and parents on daily checks and good habits
Where indicated, our clinic also offers custom orthotics — 3D scanned and 3D printed in-house — to help offload pressure, along with general and routine foot care and wound management. Because every podiatrist is also a certified running coach, we can advise active kids on safe, comfortable footwear for sport. We work alongside your child's GP, paediatrician or diabetes team as part of their broader care.
When Should You Seek Help?
Book a review if your child has any non-healing wound, signs of infection (redness, heat, swelling, discharge), numbness or pain. We recommend regular foot checks for all children with Type 1 diabetes, even when everything seems fine.
Citations
[1] Sidibe EH. [Main complications of diabetes mellitus in Africa]. Ann Med Interne (Paris) 2000. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11173705/
Medically reviewed by Matt Shanahan, registered podiatrist (AHPRA POD0001603396), Blueprint Podiatry.
Last reviewed: 21 June 2026.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
At what age should my child with Type 1 diabetes start seeing a podiatrist?
There's no single rule, but starting routine foot checks early helps build lifelong habits and gives us a baseline of your child's circulation and sensation. Many families book a check-up soon after diagnosis and review periodically as part of ongoing diabetes care.
My child's feet seem completely fine — is a foot check still worth it?
Yes. The aim is prevention and education rather than fixing a problem. Regular checks help spot subtle changes early and teach your child how to look after their feet, which becomes increasingly important into adulthood.
Can you work with our GP or diabetes team?
Absolutely. We're happy to coordinate with your child's GP, paediatrician or diabetes care team, and Medicare EPC referrals are accepted (a small gap applies; we don't bulk bill). We're located in Tuggerah and see families from across the Central Coast.
Ready to meet the team and make an appointment?
Online Booking is the quickest most convenient way to secure the time, location and practitioner you want. Want to meet your Practitioner first? Select Meet the Team to get to know our amazing Podiatrists.