looking after your feet

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litto-miss-loz

litto-miss-loz

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
hey all,

just wondered if u all look after ur feet and wot steps u take to look after them?

any tips and advice would be great.

thanks x
 
I think the most important thing (and possibly the most obvious!) is to wear good footwear - don't put your feet at risk for the sake of fashion or vanity. Probably more of a problem for women, given their (unfathomable) predilection for impractical shoes🙂

I tend to wear trainers most of the time. It's a brand that I discovered years ago and I always buy the latest model as I know that they don't give me blisters, even over long runs. I wear the newer ones for running and continue to wear the older ones, that have lost their cushioning properties, for general wear.

Since diagnosis, I've been concerned about how cold my feet get, particularly my toes. I've also noticed some little blemishes on the big toes that are new to me, so I'm going to get them checked out by a podiatrist.

You need to keep a good eye on them and if you do get any injury or blister, keep it clean and get in touch with your health care team if it seems to be slow to heal.

Toenails can a problem if not kept to a good length, but not cut too short. Oh, and don't use any of those corn or verrucca applications because they contain acids. Not sure what you can use though!
 
I use a balm on my feet every day and I really benefit by it. What you can use is basically any creme/balm that hydrates the skin. A bonus would be the kind that prevents sore feet, so after a day of walking you still wouldn't have painful feet. Basically you'd have to pick what suits you best.

Also make sure your socks are not too tight. Keeping the toenails at a decent length (and definitely not too short) is good advice too.

Do not file away hard skin if you're not absolutely sure it is just that: hard skin. Otherwise, see a professional and let them take care of it.
The balm I mentioned before usually also keeps hard skin away.

Do NOT use feet baths (is that what you call them?). The skin will become too soft and apparently that's risky.

After shower/bath dry your feet well, but don't rub them. Make sure you clean and dry well between the toes. Applying the balm right after a bath or shower is a good idea.

I've seen advice to wear those pool shoes (or whatever they're called) in the shower because of the risk of infection from other people who use the same facility. I'm not sure if I believe in it, but I just thought I'd pass that on as well.

Obviously you are more at risk, so if you share your bed with someone with feet problems, wear socks or any other kind of protection.
Also, wear footwear in the house!

It seems a lot of things to do or not do, but the last thing you want is trouble with your feet. Some things seem overdone to me, but I do follow this regime and my feet are doing great.
Oh, last, but not least: if you see any change in your feet tell your doctor/nurse or specialist. If something is wrong it's best to be on it as soon as possible.
 
I agree with everything that has been said

Personally, I attend the Scholl Centre every 8 weeks and let them work their magic. Pricey perhaps, but I know my feet are well looked after and really you can't put a price on that.

The one thing I miss, is being able to walk barefoot, but again, it is a minor issue.

Always look out for any changes in your feet, no I don't mean if you have grown another toe, but to look out for discolouration, blemishes, etc that have just appeared - and have them checked out.

Good luck
Hazel
 
Hi

I see a Chiropodist at a local clinic every 4 months. It was arranged by my GP at my request. As a Diabetic, I think it is important to get the pulses and circulation checked by experts (I do also have a check on my feet at my annual review at the hospital). You should enquire as I am sure it is available to all diabetics. I am 49 years old - but most of the other patients I see at the clinic are much older!!

Heb
 
I feel like a very bad diabetic now as I don't do very much to take care of my feet at all, despite knowing how important it is! I probably apply some sort of lotion to them about once a week but that's about it. I'm usually to be found barefoot or in impractical shoes of some description...It's definately something I need to work on, perhaps I should go the route of regular chiropody appointments to make sure I think about it...
 
why are diabetics who have no problems with neuropathy not supposed to walk around in their bare feet?... it has to be said i prefer being bare foot and it is one rule that i don't pay any attention to it...

is there a reason i'm missing here?
 
kincaidston said:
why are diabetics who have no problems with neuropathy not supposed to walk around in their bare feet?... it has to be said i prefer being bare foot and it is one rule that i don't pay any attention to it...

is there a reason i'm missing here?
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I guess that, even if you can feel it when you step on a drawing pin (do people still use those?), the wound might take longer to heal if your BG control is poor, and could lead to infection, which is also not good news for diabetics generally. I wear slippers around the house.
 
kincaidston said:
why are diabetics who have no problems with neuropathy not supposed to walk around in their bare feet?... it has to be said i prefer being bare foot and it is one rule that i don't pay any attention to it...

is there a reason i'm missing here?
Click to expand...
Precisely because you are prone to neuropathy. It's the sort of thing that can happen without you noticing it and prevention is better than cure.

What I find annoying is all the foot products that state 'not suitable for diabetics' for no particular reason.
 
Northerner said:
I guess that, even if you can feel it when you step on a drawing pin (do people still use those?), the wound might take longer to heal if your BG control is poor, and could lead to infection, which is also not good news for diabetics generally. I wear slippers around the house.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I've been told not to wear slippers but socks. :D And socks without elastic near the top that would reduce blood flow. 😎
 
Northerner said:
Since diagnosis, I've been concerned about how cold my feet get, particularly my toes. I've also noticed some little blemishes on the big toes that are new to me, so I'm going to get them checked out by a podiatrist.

!
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Notherner I only have one foot to get cold but I too have noticed how cold it gets...I went to the doctor and asked if it was my circulation to which he replied "No there is a good blood flow". Then I thought it might be my hypothyroidism, so am glad to hear of another diabetic who feels the same
 
I would say that if you don't have neuropathy and your control is good then there is minimal risk in walking round barefoot or wearing heels/sandles.

I have some neuropathy, but still have pretty good sensation and I will walk barefoot in my house occasionally, i plan to walk barefoot on the sand when I go on holiday this year. I will wear painful show son special occasions. To me it's about being aware of the risks and making a decision from there.
 
i never walk barefoot anymore even though i did used to love being in my barefoot before i got diagnosed. my main reason behind this is i know it takes longer for a cut on my hand to heal now so i presume it will be the same for my feet and if i walk barefoot i could get infections in it. so for me i tend to wear my slipper and if i dont have them to hand i wear loose fitting socks. so for me its now 9 years and not a single day barefoot. not even on the beach but oh to feel the sand between my toes lol
 
seeing as I was diagnosed when i was a kid, Ive always just looked after them how I would expect anyone else to with theres. i dont have any major problems with them- some times i stub a toe or something, i have stood on a nail before- that made a nice hole! but i generally do what i want with them- walk around barefoot if i want (not so much this time of year though too cold) but in the summer i let them breath. I go outside in the garden barefoot in the summer too.

I do suffer from cold toes, I always have done but I guess that is part of diabetes? I dont use any creams or anything like that though- i just look after them the same as any other part of my body.
 
thanks for all ur advice peepz.

i heard that u shouldnt wear slippers and that its best to wear flip flops so ur toes can breath ?

is this true

i wear slippers all the time but will change to flip flops if it is meant to be better.

i have also heard in the past that u should never cut ur own toe nails and should get it done by a foot doctor person lol but i cut my own toe nails... or should i go to a foot doctor?

i always get cold sweaty feet which i hate!!!! lol doesnt sound very nice does it lol

all ur advice has helped me alot

cheers xx
 
litto-miss-loz said:
i have also heard in the past that u should never cut ur own toe nails and should get it done by a foot doctor person lol but i cut my own toe nails... or should i go to a foot doctor?
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Also been told that. Speak to your DSN and arrange a podiatrist's appointment.

I used to cut my own nails years ago. Managed to get an ingrowing toe nail two or three times. So will get a podiatrist to sort me feet out for me now. Not worth the hassle and pain of another ingrowing not to mention any other potential complications now I've got diabetes. 😎
 
Big no to flip flops! Having that thing between your toes can actually get you into bigger trouble. Slippers all the way...
 
I too go barefoot lots of the time - only wearing shoes in our house when it's cold, and wear wellies, sandals etc to go out into garden - but that's to avoid the duck poo, not to protect my feet! Currently wearing fleece slipper socks indoors, as I prefer to be able to wiggle my toes.

Having seen several accidents / injuries / fungal infections involving flip flops (single post betwen big and second toe) on arctic & tropical expeditions and around adventure races (not diabetes related), I'd recommend reef / rafting sandals (velcro straps over foot, not between toes) or reef shoes (especially on rocky ground eg when rock pooling) or the type which cover toes and have heel straps that can either go behind heel or over foot - best known brand is Crocs. When running / cycling / kayaking in wetsuit booties etc, when feet get wet / cold / sweaty / blistered, often the best form of foot cafre is to change footwear & socks when possible - but to try to prevent fungal infections by using eg clotrimazole cream, and to try to prevent blisters by taping with zinc oxide tape or even gaffer tape - don't remove tape until it falls off. In extreme conditions eg when we trekked for 2 weeks across island of Seram in Indonesia, we removed walking shoes / boots and socks at midday break and wore sandals while we ate, which helped minimise effects of constantly wet feet.
 
i hate flip flops and always go for my rafting sandals when im out and about abroad. soooooo comfortable the pair i have too.
 
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