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.
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.
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.
Also, don't soak your feet—that can dry your skin. Calluses occur more often and build up faster on the feet of people with diabetes. This is because there are high-pressure areas under the foot. Too much callus may mean that you will need therapeutic shoes and inserts.
Wash your feet every day in warm (not hot) water. 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.
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.
Soaks with oils like peppermint or chamomile or Epsom salts have been shown to decrease pain in people with neuropathy.
When you have diabetes, high glucose levels in the blood can damage nerves and blood vessels. Because the nerves and blood vessels supplying the feet are so long and delicate, the feet — and especially the toes — often get affected first.
Diabetes are more prone to infection, and fungi and bacteria can transfer from clipping or foot care tools to any open wounds.
It can be an early sign of so-called "diabetic belly," a build-up of visceral fat in your abdomen which may be a symptom of type 2 diabetes and can increase your chances of developing other serious medical conditions.
Don't cut calluses or corns, or use medicine to remove them, unless your doctor tells you it's okay. Don't soak your feet. Don't use hot water, a heating pad or a massager on your feet.
For example, people that have very dry skin should avoid overdoing foot soaks because the salt can dry out the skin leaving the feet more prone to cracks. Foot soaks of any type are not safe for people who have diabetes due to the increased risk of infection.
Using Epsom salt for different purposes
People sometimes soak their bodies in Epsom salt baths or drink Epsom salt after dissolving it in a glass of water. However, some people should not consume Epsom salt at all. These include those with kidney disease or heart disease, pregnant women, and children.
If you decide not to rinse off afterwards, your body may benefit for longer from the purported healing properties of the salt. However, Epsom salts can sometimes have a drying effect, so you may want to have a quick rinse off afterwards, especially if you have dry skin anyway.
In people with diabetes, insufficient insulin prevents the body from getting glucose from the blood into the body's cells to use as energy. When this occurs, the body starts burning fat and muscle for energy, causing a reduction in overall body weight.
Diabetic dermopathy
This condition is also known as shin spots, and it's harmless. The spots look like red or brown round patches or lines in the skin and are common in people with diabetes. They appear on the front of your legs (your shins) and are often confused with age spots. The spots don't hurt, itch, or open up.
Foot problems are common in people with diabetes. They can happen over time when high blood sugar damages the nerves and blood vessels in the feet. The nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in your feet.
Research shows that apple cider vinegar contains magnesium, phosphorous, calcium and potassium. These are all necessary for dealing with nerve pain. Likewise, apple cider vinegar has strong anti-inflammatory properties. These two reasons account for why apple cider is used in the treating neuropathy.
High blood sugar can lead to nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. You can prevent it or slow its progress by keeping your blood sugar as close to your target range as possible and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Managing your blood sugar is an essential part of your diabetes care plan.
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.
White material to increase awareness of bleeding cuts
By wearing white socks — the color of most diabetic socks — you are far more likely to notice a bleeding cut or blister.
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.