Diabetes affects your body’s ability to heal and can even affect your ability to feel pain in your extremities. Therefore, it is vital that diabetic patients examine their feet on a daily basis and have an examination by a podiatrist at least once a year. Shoe gear is also very important; diabetics should wear shoes at all times to protect their feet. Shoes should be well-fitting, made of stretchable, breathable materials, and with supportive foot beds or insoles.