Footwear rules for diabetics

Posted on

When you are diabetic, you have to deal with numerous health complications, and it might seem like foot problems would be at the very bottom of your list. But actually, you probably spend a decent amount of time on your feet every day, and if you don't look after your foot care as a diabetic, this could have some serious repercussions on your quality of life.

The big issue with diabetes and feet is that diabetes can cause nerve damage, and this means you could experience tingling sensations in your feet, or be numb to pain when it occurs. Diabetes can also be a cause of poor circulation, and this means that wounds on the feet might heal more slowly and could lead to ulceration.

When you have a diabetes diagnosis, it's very important that you register with a local podiatrist who can examine your feet and give you the best foot care tips. You can also help your feet out by following some footwear rules.

Flip flops have to go. Of all the shoe choices out there, flip flops are the very worst for diabetics. This is because the whole foot is exposed, the straps can easily cause irritation and blisters, and they tend to be cheap and unsupportive. You will be more likely to stub your big toe in an unsupportive flip flop, and if you experience a lack of sensitivity due to nerve damage, you won't feel the pain. This could result in something like a fracture going undiagnosed and further damage could occur.

Wear heels sparingly. If you are a woman who really can't let go of her heels, that's okay, but you will have to wear them more sparingly than normal. Say, for example that you want to wear some power heels for a business meeting – try to wear your trainers to the office and then just change into the heels once you are at your place of business. This means that when your feet are in motion they are comfortable and supported, but you can still wear your heels for show. Dancing in high heels on a night, however, is not encouraged.

Think about diabetic shoes. If you are already experience some kind of foot deformity, it might be time to think about shoes that are made specifically for diabetics. Your podiatrist will be able to recommend particular brands to you, and they are typically made of soft leather that is pliable but firm to accommodate knocks, and have a larger area than normal around the toes to accommodate deformities such as bunions.


Share