It’s Diabetes Awareness Month in November and World Diabetes Day is on the 14th November! You may have already noticed that here at SynxBody we’re pretty big on talking about anything foot related - and diabetes-caused foot problems are a massive and very common issue for millions of people around the globe everyday. So, what do you know about Diabetes and how it can affect your feet?
Diabetes over time can cause a nerve problem called diabetic neuropathy. This means that without proper management of your blood glucose levels, eventually you could lose feeling in your feet. This can cause smaller issues to go unnoticed and bigger problems to develop like infections, gangrene and in worst-case scenarios, even amputation.
It can feel like a bit of an overwhelming topic, but luckily, there’s heaps of information available to us which explains it all. And even luckier for you, we’re condensing it into this blog for a simple read. Just giving your feet that little bit of TLC everyday could be the difference between keeping your feet happy for life and or dealing with serious complications. Let’s talk about our best Tips To Prevent Diabetes-Related Foot Issues!
1. Check your Feet Daily for Abnormalities
Everyday, when you’re putting on or taking off your shoes, check your feet for any sores, cuts, blisters, cracks or calluses. In doing this, you can stay on top of any new problems that develop during the day and treat them ASAP! If you can’t check your feet yourself, ask if someone wouldn’t mind taking a peep at your little piggies for you.
If you find a sore, cut or open crack: wash and dry it, immediately apply a good antiseptic cream, then cover with a sterile dressing.
2. Wash Your Feet With Warm (Not Hot) Water
Trick your feet into thinking they’re getting a pedicure everyday by washing them in lukewarm water with a mild soap. This not only pampers them and makes them feel oh-so special, but actually helps prevent infection by washing away any bacteria or fungus. How fun-(gi)!
Once you’ve washed your feet, gently pat them dry and make sure you dry in between the toes.
3. Wear Appropriate Shoes
Wearing shoes which are diabetic-friendly is one of the best ways to help assist in the management of diabetes-related foot issues. These shoes should be:
- Lightweight to allow your feet to breathe and move.
- Made of a flexible material such as leather, canvas or suede.
- Feature a shock absorbing sole that will help relieve pressure on the bottom of your feet. (Have you tried our Synxgeli Gel Power Insoles yet?)
- Adjustable - something with laces or straps that can loosen or tighten depending on any changes in your feet. (Hello Synxlace No Tie Laces!)
- A solid back to provide extra support.
Look also for a shoe that is a little deeper than normal shoes - about 1 to 1½ cm. This makes it easier to accommodate foot changes like calluses or hammertoes. It also gives you a little extra room to insert your SynxSole Everyday Insoles!
4. Smooth Over Corns and Calluses
For the next step on the journey to luxuriously pampered and happy feet, we’re tackling corns and calluses. We know corns and calluses might seem like a non-issue, but for someone suffering from Diabetes, these rough patches of skin can develop into ulcers. It’s best to gently smooth over any calluses and corns with a pumice stone when you’re fresh out of the shower and your skin is nice and soft.
A great way to maintain that baby soft feeling is to moisturise feet all over with a cream such as sorbolene or QV. For dry and cracked heels, we recommend a urea based cream such as dermal or eulactol heel balm. This helps to remove rough skin, heal cracks and keep your heels baby smooth. Once you’ve done all this, slip on a pair of our Synxgeli Heel Cushions and hop into bed. The soft gel will make sure your heels don’t crack and create opportunities for infection to creep in.
5. Wear shoes and socks at all times!
Our final tip is one of the most important. Wearing shoes and socks at all times (yes, even at home!) is the best way to avoid stepping on anything that could potentially damage your feet. Make sure any socks that you wear are seamless, breathable and lightly padded to prevent any blisters and calluses from developing. Doing this will help stop you from developing infections from sores and cuts that you can’t feel and don’t notice.
All it takes is a little TLC and you could be tap dancing on your happy feet forever. If you have any questions or want some further advice regarding your foot health, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team, by emailing us at sales@synxbody.com.au, where one of our expert team members will get back to you with all the product knowledge and advice you’ll need.
