Foot Care

[Fencer]

I''ve had a lot of hard, dry skin on my feet for a while now. I went in to Boots yesterday and bought a cream for this and a file specifically for this. On getting home I noticed on the side of the packet "Not for people with Diabetes." Does anyone use these products regardless of the warning? Do you think Boots will take it back (I've not opened the packet yet)?

I have started using Hemp Foot Care moisturiser from the Body Shop, and that's made a big difference, so I guess I'll just keep using that and hopefully it will do the job.

 

[hanadr]

I use a foot file, if I get hard skin. and since I have a tendency to ingrowing toenails, I also clip down the side of my nails since cutting them straight across causes ingrowing for me. No medical person would endorse these actions, but I'm careful and have been doing it for years..
However! I do keep my Bg below 6 at all times and so I am less vulnerable to damage.
If you need help with those feet.Ring theHealth Centre you attend for your diabetes care and ask for an appointment with a podiatrist. If it's urgent, tell them so.
Hana

 

[noblehead]

Fencer,

A product I use called Flexitol Heel Balm which was recommended by my Podiatrist for hard skin and to keep the feet moisturised, it says on the packaging it is safe for diabetic feet and I can highly recommend it.

Boots should take it back if it's unopened and you still have the receipt, if you don't have a receipt then they may ask you to exchange it for other goods.

 

[claymic]

i use a foot file i buy from boots. i think it is their own brand. i have seen other foot files on the market that i would not dream of buying as they look like they can be too harsh.

the one i buy i have not had any problems with. obviously i do not file my heels like there is no tomorrow....i am careful but like i said never had problems.

 

[sdgray22]

I have noticed as a general thing that most medical/personal hygiene type things be they moisturisers, heated pads, basic medicines say if you are diabetic you should not use them. Rubbish, half the time they are just protecting themselves and Boots are the worse. I spend more time than the average hypochondriac at the drs surgery anyway because of this disease and do not need to increase the frequency of my visits just for the sake of it.
I think I will start a list of what we cannot do or use because we are diabetic- see the new thread.

 

[jopar]

Take the product back, Boots should refund your money if packaging hasn't been opened...

I would either ask your GP/DSN to refer you to the Podiatrist or book a private appointment for best advise...

Otherwise you could hit problems with infections etc, if you causes a wound and not realise it..

As to the warnings about don't use if diabetic being rubbish..

They are put there for a reason which include

Causing our blood glucose to rise
Could cause damage to our capillary veins
Could cause damage to skin that is unseen to the eye, which could lead to infections..

 

[robert72]

I never really have trouble with my feet, but about 2 years ago I pulled a tiny bit of dead skin off the side of my foot.

The next day my foot was very swollen and painful and very soon an ulcer had appeared at the site where I'd pulled of the dead skin. It took two courses of antibiotics and about 2 months of careful cleaning and dressings before it healed.

I've not had any foot trouble since but am now paranoid about foot care. I moisturise my feet daily which seems to stop any dead skin or cracking.

 

[Sarah69]

I use CCS foot care cream it's really good it was recommended by a podiatrist. Once a week I cover my feet in the cream put cotton soaks on overnight and they are so soft the next day. That idea was recommended by someone on here.

 

[chris lowe]

I use a Scholl "Party Feet" foot file, one side rough, the other side for smoothing. I usually give my feet a quick rub over with the rough side each morning before my bath ( I find the rough skin comes off easier on dry feet) and after rub in an Avon foot cream. As long as you don't break the skin or scrape too much skin off then you should be fine. If you've got a lot of very thick hard skin then probably better to get a referral to the podiatrist to start off and then try and manage the problem from there.

 

[stevvie1]

Before being diagnosed with charcot foot I had lots of problems with hard cracked skin which got infected causing awful problems. I visited a podiatrist who advised a very light filing before putting on the cream. Flexitol or CCS , recommended by him, are in my opinion( I have really tried everything) the best. I ended up at a specialist skin consultant. He was brilliant. Betnovate and then epaderm cream, then put your feet in freezer bags with socks on top to keep them on. Feels funny, but continue with it and I'm sure it will work for you too.

By the way I used to play a lot of golf and even with breathable shoes my feet used to sweat a lot. I had never really considered the consequences until I read an article by someone stating the obvious which was your feet are loosing all that moisture and hence the dryness. I did try almond oil, a bicarbonate peel, nivea, vaseline and loads more but I think the main principle as already mentioned by someone else is to wrap up your feet at night and stick to the regime. Hope this helps. I'm not diabetic but just have charcot, ****! Sorry for the profanity and length of reply.

 

[Ann19]

A foot check is supposed to be done every year as part of your review, the nurse or GP usually do it, but if you have a problem then try to get then to refer you to a Podiatrist. I use Flexitol heel balm now every night as it was recommended by a Podiatrist when I first got diagnosed ( no nurse or GP able to do it at the time? :roll: ) it's brilliant stuff!

Ann

 

[noblehead]

I visited a podiatrist who advised a very light filing before putting on the cream. Flexitol or CCS , recommended by him, are in my opinion( I have really tried everything) the best.

I've tried them all and have to agree that Flexitol is the best :thumbup:

 

[Artichoke]

When it comes to foot advice some of the NHS advice is sound, some isn't. I would never attack my feet with a metal file for example for fear of removing too much skin and getting an infection. On the other hand, you'll see that you're not supposed to put any cream between your toes - I guess they are thinking of skin fungi - when I followed that my skin went dry and started cracking. Everyone's feet have their own quirks I guess. I use Dermol mostly.

 

[POD]

Hi guys,

I would recommend the following foot care:

1.Daily -Wash and dry your feet - taking care to dry (not rub) between your toes (if your toes are sore/itchy/flakey you probalby have a fungal infection - seek advice)
2.Clean socks daily
3.Try to alternate foot wear, especially in hot weather - give your shoes/trainers time to dry /air out
4.Daily check your feet for any problems such as bruising, wounds, cracked skin, sore area - seek medical assistance/advice
5.Any minor wounds should be washed, dried and a dry dressing applied - seek advice
6.Keep nails short, follow the shape of the nail but dont cut down the sides
7.File your nails to ensure no sharp bits - dont want the catching on socks etc
8.The best file to use is called a 'Diamond Debb' file, they cost about £8 from boot and are what we use as podiatrist, they wont cause you any damage
9.DO NOT soak your feet in footbaths
10.If you have dry skin / cracked heal - CSS or Flexitol are the best as they have high urea content that locks in moisture.
11.Dont put cream between toes - it can cause maceration and encourage fungal infection
12. if between your toes is macerated, you can apply surgical spirit on cotton wool/tissue as this help to dry it up.

DO NOT use corn plasters / creams / acids - or anything that says unsuitable for diabetics. Many contain acids that can cause damage and if you have diabetes, neuropathy or poor circulation, you could make things much worse - see a podiatrist.

If you have problems with hard skin / corns / callus etc then arrange to see a Podiatrist / Chiropodist - DO MAKE SURE they are Health Profession Council Registered

If you have specific questions, I am happy to try and answer them for you but regular checks with a podiatrist should be encouraged.

Hope that helps a bit :roll:

 

[Loey1953]

That is really nice of you POD and great advice. The podiatrist I am seeing said the same thing and also mentioned creams containing ureau. It's good to know that we can ask you any questions if necessary.

Loey

 

[viviennem]

I have very few problems with my feet. What niggles I do have are caused by the fact that I have difficulty reaching my feet properly - caused by arthritis in hips and knees, a 'scraped' knee (arthroscopy) which means that my right side is the worst, and unwanted fat round my middle getting in the way - that's getting easier now there's less of me! :lol:

I moved into my present bungalow in March 2010, and since then have had very few baths - I think my bath has an experimental non-stick coating :shock: , it would do nicely for an ice-rink :lol: . I really enjoy a bath, and find it very easy to tend my feet when lying on my back - I can then get my feet up to my hands! I have never had foot problems at all, before the move.

Now I have a seat which stretches across the bath so I can shower sitting down - bliss! but it's difficult to reach my feet properly, as I can't bend forward sufficiently without pain, and if I try to put the opposite foot over a knee I fall off the seat backwards :roll: . So I never felt as if I had cleaned my feet properly.

I dry sitting on lots of towels on the bed - I have lots of crevices that need careful attention to stop fungal infections in the sweaty bits :shock: .

After about 2 months of this, still drying, powdering and moisturising as per usual, I noticed to my horror that I had splits, bleeding, between most of my toes. My GP sent me to the lovely podiatrist, who told me just to dry and not to powder, and moisturise carefully, not between the toes. This didn't seem to cure the problem, and now I do the following:

I leave the plug in the bath when showering, so that my feet get a short soak; this seems to make it easier to get the bits between my toes properly clean;

I use a microfibre cloth to dry between my toes. My toes are tight together and won't spread (this fascinates the podiatrist :crazy: ); drying between them with a thick towel pushed them too far apart and only made the splits worse. The microfibre is thin enough to slot between them and very absorbent;

I have gone back to Daktarin foot powder (I've used it for years; other brands are available!) but just a very light shake between the toes, and a bit on a finger smeared along behind/below my toes.

Moisturise after showering with Flexitol, top and sole only.

I have very little trouble now; if I think a split is beginning, I use Tea Tree Oil cream at bed-time and shower it off in the morning. I've also started using surgical spirit between my toes, using a cotton bud pushed between.

I see the podiatrist every 3 months to make sure my nails are properly cut, and to keep a good eye on my feet. We had a very interesting conversation the last time about the psychology of diabetes, which I shall probably start a new thread about.

Any comments, Pod? Always interesting to hear another opinion.

Viv 8)