Is it true

[Craigwer]

I'm 25 and newly type 1 diabetic
I heard that you shouldn't cut your own nails

 

[DCUKMod]

I'm 25 and newly type 1 diabetic
I heard that you shouldn't cut your own nails

Craig, I'm not T1, but I am pretty certain lots of T1s do cut their own nails - fingers and toes.

I think the confusion may be that for those with nerve or circulation damage, the risks of infections from little nicks or other wounds on their feet is increased.

I'm sure plenty of T1s will drop in, and comment, as time passes.

 

[Traceymac23]

I'd say for any diabetic with neuropathy.....avoid toenail clipping as you wont be able to feel if you nick yourself. With neuropathy you should(if in the UK) be able to be assigned a podiatry team who will do it for you for free......mine certainly do....but then they've only got 9 toe-nails to do so it's probably a quick job LOL

 

[kitedoc]

HI @Craigwer, As @DCUKMod quite rightly points out, diabetes can cause nerve and circulation problems and were are educated that feet/toes are the most susceptible. Don't I ever know it !!

When I was first diagnosed at age 13 in 1966 !!, I was told in no uncertain terms to watch my toes and feet. Not to use
shoes that caused rubbing, blisters etc. No podiatrists back then to see so it was a matter of learning on the way.

Yes, there were some blisters from time to time and with various adventures I learnt to never shed for shoes if swimming in unknown waters. I did a lot of canoeing too so it was also toe joints and ankle joins to watch for as well.

These days I see a podiatrist once per year for a general check, particularly about circulation and how the sensation in my feet is - to pinprick and to hot and cold. If I cannot feel my feet I may miss an injury and only discover later that there is a more serious issue than at the onset !!

I will head to the doctor at the first sign of any infection in the toes/feet. The area where the big toe nail sits next to the skin on the sides can get soggy if wearing shoes all day and tends to get enflamed more easily than elsewhere I find.
I regularly use tea tree oil, an Aussie remedy, as an anti-infection, anti-fungal preventative there. See what your podiatrist recommends you do!

I was taught to cut toe nails straight across but I would suggest you do have a ? yearly check with a podiatrist, or whatever the usual recommendation is where you live.
Prevention is better than cure.
Best Wishes

 

[Diakat]

I cut mine. But then I have no complications (yet fingers crossed and all that).

 

[becca59]

I cut mine. Visited the chiropodist once which was great, but on an ongoing basis, too dear! Have feet checked at hospital appointment once a year.

 

[LooperCat]

I’ve always cut my own, and regularly get a telling off for either cutting them too short or for not cutting them straight across. Thing is, if I do it like the one time the podiatrist did it - leave them longer and cut them straight across, I get “corners” which damage adjacent toes. So I can’t win!

 

[endocrinegremlin]

I, my mum, my aunt and my two uncles all cut our own nails.