Avoid soaking your feet, as this can lead to dry skin. Dry your feet gently, especially between the toes. Moisturize your feet and ankles with lotion or petroleum jelly. Do not put oils or creams between your toes — the extra moisture can lead to infection.
Don't soak your feet. Dry your feet completely and apply lotion to the top and bottom—but not between your toes, which could lead to infection. Never go barefoot. Always wear shoes and socks or slippers, even inside, to avoid injury.
GOLDEN RULE #1: Wear appropriate shoes.
Even a minor cut can quickly become a serious infection when you have diabetes. We don't even recommend sandals for diabetics.
Moisturize your feet, but avoid moisturizing between your toes. Keep your toenails trim, and use an emery board to file down sharp edges. Check your feet for sores, cuts, blisters, corns, or redness daily. Let your doctor know if you find any of these.
Use a small amount of skin lotion daily, but be sure your feet feel dry, not damp or sticky, afterward. Try not to get the lotion in between your toes. Keep your toenails trimmed and filed smooth to avoid ingrown toenails. You may find it easier to trim your nails after using lotion, when your cuticles are softer.
Wear socks or stockings with shoes. Wear socks without seams. Avoid tight-fitting socks and garters. Wear socks in bed if your feet are cold at night.
Diabetes are more prone to infection, and fungi and bacteria can transfer from clipping or foot care tools to any open wounds.
People with diabetes should get a diabetic foot exam at least once a year. You may need an exam more often if your feet have any of the following symptoms: Tingling. Numbness.
Moisturize Your Skin
If you've got diabetes, itchy skin due to dryness can be a concern. A good moisturizer like Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Advanced Repair Unscented Lotion may help to soothe and relieve itchiness.
Typically, epsom salt soaks are not recommended for people with diabetes. The primary reason is that such soaks can dry out the feet. When the skin is dry it is more vulnerable to cracking and chafing, which can lead to skin lesions and wounds, which if not properly attended to can lead to ulcerations.
While walking barefoot is common in the warmer months of summer, it can lead to serious foot injuries. Walking without foot protection can be especially dangerous for those with diabetes and suffer from peripheral neuropathy.
Epsom salt and diabetes
Epsom salt is a mineral compound with many different uses, but people with diabetes should avoid using it. No form of foot soak is appropriate for individuals with diabetes.
Dry feet: Diabetics with neuropathy often suffer from dry skin because the condition reduces the amount of hydration in their skin. That's why keeping your feet immersed in water can dry out your skin even more. The water strips away the natural oils present on your skin that help protect them.
Nerve damage or diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the long-term complication of diabetes. If left untreated, the damage caused by neuropathy can potentially lead to infection and limb amputation.
It isn't recommended for people with diabetic neuropathy to carry items that weigh a lot, as this can intensify foot pain. Electric massagers normally weigh more than manual ones.
Diabetic socks can be worn daily (and most people who need them should wear them everyday) and washed frequently. 2 Most will last around six months with regular wear and proper care. To increase their longevity, wash socks in a mesh undergarment bag in the washing machine and dry them on low heat.
Fit is especially important for people with diabetes who have poor circulation and experience swelling in the feet or legs. In that case, compression socks may be recommended. These are snug-fitting socks that promote blood flow. Compression socks should not be so tight that they impair circulation.
Podiatrists play a key role in the early detection and treatment of foot problems in people with diabetes. Neuropathy (nerve damage), arthropathy (joint damage), vasculopathy (blood vessel damage), and other complications can be avoided or delayed with annual comprehensive foot exams and treatment if needed.
A person with diabetes should include a variety of fresh, whole foods in their diet, such as nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit for people with diabetes to eat in moderation as part of a balanced, individualized eating plan.
Diabetes Belly Fat is a sign that the body is failing. Stomach fat is linked to Heart failure in the diabetic. Lack of good insulin causes the body to store fat at the waist.
Although rare, nerve damage from diabetes can lead to changes in the shape of your feet, such as Charcot's foot. Charcot's foot may start with redness, warmth, and swelling. Later, bones in your feet and toes can shift or break, which can cause your feet to have an odd shape, such as a “rocker bottom.”
Impaired blood flow: Elevated blood glucose can lead to thickening of arteries. As the arteries thicken, they shrink and lose elasticity, which can impair blood flow to the feet. “When our blood flow is not efficient to our legs, fluid will build up and create swelling,” Sanders noted.