Does Diabetes Cause Tingling in Your Feet?
Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 20th, 2026.
Yes, diabetes frequently causes tingling in the feet due to diabetic neuropathy. High blood sugar levels over time damage the peripheral nerves, particularly those in the feet and hands. This condition affects up to 50% of people with diabetes, typically developing after several years of poorly controlled blood sugar. The tingling often starts as a pins-and-needles sensation in the toes and can progress to numbness, burning pain, or sharp shooting pains. Early symptoms may be mild and intermittent, but can worsen without proper diabetes management. Maintaining blood sugar levels below 7% A1C significantly reduces neuropathy risk and can slow progression of existing nerve damage.
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