Foot care is important because research has shown that people with diabetes have a much higher risk than the general population, of developing foot ulcers. Diabetic foot ulcers represent a risk of amputation and foot care is designed to reduce this risk. The main causes of foot problems in diabetes patients are vascular narrowings of the arteries and nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. These problems produce clear changes to the structure of the foot and to their natural defence against infection. Keeping feet healthy and restoring the barriers to infection represent the main goals of foot care.