Anonymous Question Bare feet, cold floors and diabetes

[Anonymous Question]

Hi could somebody please answer a question for me. Is it bad for you to walk bare feet on cold floors if you have diabetes?

 

[Finsky]

If you don't have any blood circulation complications/issues...I don't see there being problem going bare foot.
Those with diabetes, who's feet/skin are not 'well', there is risk of injuring one's feet and if their feet don't feel it and/or heal well enough, they risk of getting infections or injuries that may lead into further complications.

 

[JohnEGreen]

If you have PN then you could injure your foot and not know it but if you don't have PN then I don't see much of a problem I do have loss of sensation in the feet so general wear slippers indoors.

 

[Squire Fulwood]

I have a below stairs nurse, a tweeny nurse and a DN. The Tweeny has a thing about feet and insists I look after them. She said that she had one patient with a drawing pin in his foot that he didn't know about. She wants me to put moisturiser on (but not between the toes) sand off hard skin and never go bare footed. I am told to wear thick socks also. I don't do most ot those things but her opinion seems fairly firm.

 

[himtoo]

at my original diagnosis 43 years ago as a type 1, I was strongly advised to never go barefoot, and to always wear socks and shoes.

My feet are in great shape now so I would suggest the advice is good.

 

[yingtong]

Like himtoo,I was given the same advice,54 years ago and I took on this advice and my feet are in good order.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

I was terrified on first diagnosis by all the warnings and instructions about foot care.

After a while I worked out that if I can feel with my feet (as checked by sadistic (joking) DN and a sharp pin) and if I heal as I always have done from minor cuts and scrapes, then I am unlikely to have an unnoticed foot ulcer or other injury.

So I take care, but if I want to go bare foot then I do.

 

[noblehead]

Much like @himtoo & @yingtong, was told never to walk around barefooted and to take great care of my feet, 34 years on I have no issues with my feet and want to continue that way.

 

[Robbity]

I don't think cold floors actually come into the equation - IMO it's more a matter of being aware of how sensitive our feet are to any possible sharp "nasties" on any floor that might cause damage/infection if we step on them and are not aware that we've done so. One good reason to have our feet checked regularly.

Robbity

ETA Actually, thinking about it, wearing shoes or slippers won't automatically prevent damage to our feet, it's possible to get stones, grit, etc, in shoes or rubbed heels from badly fitting shoes, and equally well not be able to feel the effects.