Blistered Feet

[GIB]

Hi, have been type 2 for about 3 and a half years now and levels are well controlled due to a combination of Metformin, portion control and weight loss but recently have been getting blisters on both feet after walking. Doesn't seem to be a pattern to it as in specific shoes and they have been on back if heels and on the sole etc. Hellishly painful and take an age to clear up. Is there anything that is specifically recommended for diabetics- foot pads, specialist plasters etc as going on holiday in 10 days and will be doing a lot of walking and don't want to cripple myself and wreck the holiday.

Any suggestions welcome and thanks in advance.

 

[Freema]

Hi, have been type 2 for about 3 and a half years now and levels are well controlled due to a combination of Metformin, portion control and weight loss but recently have been getting blisters on both feet after walking. Doesn't seem to be a pattern to it as in specific shoes and they have been on back if heels and on the sole etc. Hellishly painful and take an age to clear up. Is there anything that is specifically recommended for diabetics- foot pads, specialist plasters etc as going on holiday in 10 days and will be doing a lot of walking and don't want to cripple myself and wreck the holiday.

Any suggestions welcome and thanks in advance.

is your HbA1c higher than non-diabetic levels ?, if so then going lower carbs untill you get in the non-diabetic level might help if the raised blood glucose could be the cause... but otherwise I don´t know anything of this problem.. I used to get tiny blisters on my skin all over when sweatting when my blood glucose was at its highest.. also very scary but not as hurting as I think your problem is

 

[GIB]

is your HbA1c higher than non-diabetic levels ?, if so then going lower carbs untill you get in the non-diabetic level might help if the raised blood glucose could be the cause... but otherwise I don´t know anything of this problem.. I used to get tiny blisters on my skin all over when sweatting when my blood glucose was at its highest.. also very scary but not as hurting as I think your problem is

The levels are as per non diabetic at the moment and have been for sometime - have not had them anywhere else thankfully- oh well probably just need to make sure I'm wearing very sensible walking shoes and hope for the best!

 

[noblehead]

Doesn't seem to be a pattern to it as in specific shoes and they have been on back if heels and on the sole etc. Hellishly painful and take an age to clear up.

I bet they are painful.

Scholl do a range of insoles that should help prevent blistering, just be sure that your footwear is the correct fit.

As part of your diabetes care plan you are entitled to see a Podiatrist, maybe book an appointment and they'll check your feet and advise on suitable footwear/insoles.

 

[JohnEGreen]

You could purchase some podiatric or chiropody felt padding and make a lining for your shoes

such as this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Health-P...qid=1501622140&sr=8-2&keywords=podiatric+felt

 

[Pipp]

@GIB
In your situation I would be getting the advice of a podiatrist. Especially as you are going to be wanting to do some walking on holiday. If the blistes are recurring and taking a long time to heal, time to get expert assessment and advice.

 

[Resurgam]

Blisters usually arise where there is heat caused by friction.
I have had to dispose of the shoes I bought last year as they were all too big once I was diagnosed, and they were slopping around on my feet. Could that be the problem?

 

[GIB]

Thanks for all the advice everyone- had recently had my annual diabetic review and all seemed fine with feet and shoe fitting - have looked at Scholl inserts today but they seem to protect only the bottom of the feet and not the heels - have purchased a load of cushioned blister plasters so hoping that these will do the job - may look at an appointment with a podiatrist on my return

 

[badcat]

Thanks for all the advice everyone- had recently had my annual diabetic review and all seemed fine with feet and shoe fitting - have looked at Scholl inserts today but they seem to protect only the bottom of the feet and not the heels - have purchased a load of cushioned blister plasters so hoping that these will do the job - may look at an appointment with a podiatrist on my return

Beware some commercial blister pads have chemicals in them that can make matters worse
https://www.scpod.org/foot-health/common-foot-problems/blisters/

 

[noblehead]

Thanks for all the advice everyone- had recently had my annual diabetic review and all seemed fine with feet and shoe fitting - have looked at Scholl inserts today but they seem to protect only the bottom of the feet and not the heels - have purchased a load of cushioned blister plasters so hoping that these will do the job - may look at an appointment with a podiatrist on my return

Look on Amazon, there is Gel Heel Protectors available (just check they are safe for diabetic feet).

 

[Pinkorchid]

I can't wear sandals in the summer that has a shiny foot bed as I would get huge blisters on the balls of my feet. I can only wear ones that have a suede type foot bed which are mostly like the Berkenstock sandals and they are really not pretty Most foot protection things are more for blisters or insoles for shoes so no good for sandals

 

[Japes]

I used to get a lot of blisters pre-diabetes and walking far less.

I walk a lot now (8 - 10 miles most days) and attribute my lack of blisters to proper walking socks and reasonable walking boots even when just doing the mile and a half down the hill to the supermarket. I've only had two blisters in the last two years, both of them due to feet getting damp either from forgetting to change the socks on a long walk (every 7 - 10 miles on a long walk day.) or from not swapping my boots about and letting them dry out properly. ( I have a best pair, for long walks, a previous best pair for average days and the oldest pair for pootling about walking.)