Diabetes is a very serious endocrine disease that many people don’t often associate with foot problems. However, many type 2 diabetics who have unstable blood glucose levels for long periods of time can develop a condition called diabetic neuropathy, which causes tingling and pain in the feet, and eventually may lead to a loss of feeling in the feet. Once feeling is lost, things can get dangerous. Diabetics who have lost feeling in their feet can not feel if they have stepped on something and commonly continue walking on something without noticing. This can cause blisters, cuts, or sores, that because they are not felt, are often left untreated. Leaving a foot wound untreated leaves it vulnerable to bacteria from sweat or on walking surfaces, and can result in infections and even gangrene.
Diabetic foot ulcers affect about 10% of those who suffer from type 2 diabetes, and, each year 73,000 Americans lose a foot or lower limb amputation secondary to diabetic foot ulcers. In today’s post, we want to address this very serious complication and how we at Americule are helping to prevent it.
Tips For Diabetic Foot Care
- Keep a close watch on and maintain blood glucose levels.
- Keep a close eye on and maintain a healthy blood pressure.
- Visit your endocrinologist and podiatrist regularly.
- Wash and visually inspect your feet every day.
- Trim toenails carefully or leave it to your podiatrist.
- Don’t remove calluses or foot lesions yourself.
- If you smoke, quit.
- Elevate feet while sitting.
- Wiggle toes and rotate ankles every few minutes.
- Keep feet warm, but not hot.
- Stay active.
- Wear clean, dry socks, avoiding nylon and tight elastic bands — the best choice are special diabetic socks.
- Wear shoes that fit properly and check them before putting them on each time.
- Never go barefoot, even around the house.
Footwear For Diabetics
We mentioned that you should never go barefoot, but we should clarify that the best diabetic foot care is your footwear! Some tips to follow when selecting your footwear include:
- Avoid open-toed shoes.
- In winter or wet weather, wear waterproof boots to keep your feet dry.
- Select walking shoes or breathable athletic shoes.
- Avoid leather, plastic, or vinyl shoes that don’t stretch or allow your feet to breathe.
- Choose cotton, lightly-padded socks that fit snug without being tight.
- Avoid shoes or socks that create pressure points — pointed dress shoes, high heels, seams in sock toes, etc.
- Use insoles to support bunions and avoid Charcot’s foot.
How JMAC Insoles Help
With reduced feeling in your feet, you’ll want to ensure that you are never barefoot, even when relaxing at home. This is because you never know when you may step on something, to include a small wood sliver or carpet tack that may scratch or poke your foot. Because you should always be wearing shoes, you’ll want to make sure they offer the support your feet need to avoid blisters and peripheral joint pain or injury.
JMAC insoles are made of polymer that offers superior durability and product memory, meaning they work like they are brand new, with every step. The antimicrobial material helps reduce infection and foot irritation caused by sweat. Because the JMAC insoles work with, or in place of, any shoe’s insoles, they help any shoe fit better while reducing blisters.
At Americule, we offer proprietary polymer shoe insoles that provide comfort to those who work on their feet all day. However, the benefits of our insoles extend far beyond those who can feel their feet and provide peace of mind to those who suffer from diabetic neuropathy as well. To try them out for yourself, purchase your JMAC insoles today!
