Why is it they need a specialist to come in an cut their nails?

As far as the toe nails are concerned, our diabetic patients run the high risk of developing infection or gangrene if their nail care is not done properly. I would much rather leave this job to be done by a podiatrist or other professional. In fact, I wouldn't even rub lotion or ointment on a diabetic patient's feet without a doctor's order to do so.

Wounds on diabetics heal much slower than for the general population. One toenail cut into the quick or if the skin is damaged in any way can cause the type of infected wound that will take a diabetics entire foot or leg.