Some diabetics find it a real challenge to demonstrate a decided level of assertiveness. Some diabetics face a real “roadblock� when they try to “put their foot down.� All diabetics must deal with issues that concern both diabetes and the feet.

When cells in the body of a diabetic fail to get a constant amount of glucose, some of those cells exhibit signs of damage. The nerve cells represent one cell type that is highly sensitive to fluctuations in the available glucose. When diabetes damages nerve cells, the affected diabetic suffers from a condition known as neuropathy.

If a diabetic suffers from neuropathy, symptoms of neuropathy do not suddenly show-up at points all over the body. Signs of nerve damage first manifest themselves in the body’s extremities. A diabetic with neuropathy can be expected to complain about any of these symptoms: numbness, loss of feeling, pain, tingling, burning or weakness.

Because most people rely so heavily on their feet, nerve damage in the foot can alert a diabetic to the fact that he or she has neuropathy. Awareness of the risks for neuropathy should warn every diabetic about the need to schedule foot care into their daily routine. Such foot “care� should include a time for careful examination of both feet.

The diabetic should understand what he or she needs to watch for during any such examination. A bulging vein should not give rise to undue concern, unless that vein suddenly bursts through the skin. Still, minor foot problems should be seen as a warning signal. Untreated calluses, blisters or small cuts could become a home for microbes.

The diabetic needs to make sure that no microbes establish a home on his or her feet. Diabetics must keep that fact in mind, if they choose to put lotion on their feet. Lotion should not go between the toes, because it would then invite the arrival of fungi.

When nerves in the foot become damaged, cuts and burns on the foot do not send the normal pain signal to the brain. A diabetic can thus have a callus or blister that goes unnoticed. An unnoticed wound on the foot easily goes untended. If not cared for properly, a foot wound can readily become red and inflamed. It can become infected.

Diabetics must learn to pamper their feet. A diabetic should plan to wash his or her feet in warm water at least once a day. Care must be taken to use warm water, rather than hot water. Hot water could burn the foot, introducing further damage to that sensitive area. After washing the feet, the diabetic should use a mirror to inspect the bottom of each foot.

The subject of diabetes and the feet brings up a number of special dos and don’ts. A diabetic does not have good reason to walk around barefoot. A diabetic does not have good reason to wear sandals. Exposure of the feet to rough surfaces invites damage to skin on the bottom of the feet. Neuropathy can make someone oblivious of such damage.

A wise physician will advise a diabetic not to wear socks made with synthetic materials. Cotton socks are the best choice for a diabetic. A wise physician will advise a diabetic not to wear tight fitting socks. The skin of the foot should have air circulating around it. That lowers the chance for sweating, a recognized way to irritate any foot damage.

A wise physician with a diabetic patient should mention that the patient ought to wear shoes that offer a good level of support. Leather shoes are a good choice. Still, new leather shoes can be quite stiff. A diabetic should not spend many hours in shoes with stiff leather. The diabetic needs to break-in his or her new leather shoes.

While sturdy and comfortable shoes help to prevent many of the problems that relate to diabetes and the feet, they can not guarantee a solution to every foot problem. Aging is hard on feet. Older diabetics could need to decide how to deal with foot deformities, deformities brought-on by changes that can occur in an aging foot.

One such deformity is bunions. When a foot develops a bunion, then the joint at the base of the big toe begins to jut out. That in turn can cause the formation of a callus. As mentioned earlier, calluses do not belong on the foot of a diabetic. A diabetic should thus plan to have any bunion removed. Hammertoes are another foot deformity that should be corrected.

While no diabetic should encourage the formation of calluses or other foot wounds, not every diabetic is ready to undergo foot surgery. Foot surgery should not be scheduled until a diabetic has his or her diabetes well under control. That proviso shines a limelight on an additional issue related to diabetes and the feet.

In addition to being at risk of developing neuropathy, a diabetic faces the increased likelihood of having peripheral vascular disease. Peripheral vascular disease slows the flow of blood to the body extremities. When blood flows more slowly to any region of the body, the cells in that part of the body do not receive the normal level of nourishment. As a result, any damaged cells in the poorly nourished region heal more slowly.

Corrective surgery on the foot calls for the cutting of skin on the foot. After such surgery, the foot needs to heal. If a diabetic suffers from peripheral vascular disease, the healing process takes more than the average amount of time. Control of diabetes can lower the chances for peripheral vascular disease. Control of diabetes can prepare a diabetic for needed corrective foot surgery.

How does a diabetic control his or her diabetes? Diabetes can be controlled by careful adherence to a proper diet and by willingness to stick with a regular exercise routine. Control of diabetes can counteract possible foot problems. Control of diabetes demonstrates an awareness of the various health issues that relate to both diabetes and the feet.

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Christopher Berry
Diabetic Discussion

I noticed alot of times that my feet get really dry. I have trouble with moistureizing them or keeping them from getting real dry to the point of pain. They get so dry some times that they look like I have athletes foot. Is there a good lotion I can use to sooth them?