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Hard Skin. Seeing a chiropodist?

D

DazzaUK

Newbie
Messages
2
Location
Nottingham
I was only recently diagnosed (Nov last year) and thanks to advice found on here and a helpful Practise nurse, I have generally good BG control (HBa1c 6.5, which is around my average based on three or four my daily tests). :D

However one thing my recent foot check showed was hard skin on both feet. This wasn't a surprise obviously, but I forgot to ask if I should do anything about it. I wasn't referred by the Nurse to see a chiropodist and am currently following her advice on general foot care.

The hard skin is a fairly small patch, a few mil thick and maybe an inch long, around one side of the ball of each foot. So nothing extensive.

It doesn't cause any issues, but I am aware it could do in time. Is it worth seeing a chiropodist outside the NHS off my own back, or trying to get a referral?
 
I get thick skin as well, I soak my feet for half an hour in hot water with some shower gell added, this softens it, then I use a pumice stone to abrade it away.

I find it cracks and bleeds if I let it get to thick.

Probably best to see a podiarist (I think that's how it's spelt) foot nurse anyway, as you can't always reach the parts affected.

H
 
I posted this on anoher thread recently but can't remeber what it was!

if you soak your feet daily in water wih olive oil added this will rehydrate the skin with no need to abrade it with pumice stone or files etc. it may take up to 2weeks if the condition is particularly bad but works for me and for others i have old about it.

A few friends used to visit the chiro for this problem but have stopped needing to do so by using this method. It is better than abrasion as there is no ender skin exposed o get hard again.

Worth a ry I think but like everything else it may not work for everyone.

I read somewhere that a mixure of any food oil and sugar {to keep it on} was a good way o moisturise feet. IThe idea was o leave it on all day. I can't imagine how such a messy method could work. :D
 
Dazza,

You can now self-refer to see a podiatrist now should you choose too; I use a product called Flexitol Heal Balm which is safe for diabetic feet, this was recommended to me by my podiatrist many years ago for the treatment of hard skin and have used it ever since, it is very good and I highly recommend it.

Nigel
 
I use the same as nigel .
My feet were embarisngly horrible .I got the balm as nigel ant 2wks later they look superb .Very highly recommend it . Mines on prescription but it is available at supermug
or toots the chemist ,
:lol: :lol: :lol: JF.
 
Thanks everyone.

I think I'll go for the Heel Balm so I can sort it out before it even gets a chance of becoming a problem.

My Nurse cautioned against soaking my feet, though as a hill walker I doubt anything could stop me dangling my bare feet in a nice stream or tarn after 10 miles! :D
 
A little tip .
use an old towel on carpets or lino as the balm dicolours them!
JF. :wink:
 
Why does the nurse say you should not soak your fee? I have suffered from hard skin since childhood. I have mentioned that I do this to the nurse who seemed to think it was fine but that means nothing!

She thinks a lot of things are fine which I later find out I should not be doing. Would be grateful for any information before i go on leading others into bad ways! :lol:
 
You have to be so careful with your feet when you are a diabetic. Soaking removes the natural oils which keeps your skin healthy. If you have dry skin on your feet and you soak them this may open small cracks and germs can invade and start an infection.

If you decide to soak then limit the time to a couple of minutes and make sure when you dry them that you dry well between the toes. Apply moisturiser to the tops and soles of your feet but not between the toes.

(All the above from my chiropodist) :)

I go to a chiropodist every six weeks and feel the money is well worth it and she checks to make sure everything is alright and cuts my nails and removes any hard skin.. There are some that you can get through the NHS but in this area they have not all got a good reputation. You can wait up to 8 weeks and there have been some horror stories I have heard from other diabetics.
 
Hia - my doctor prescribes me big tubs of Emulsifying Ointment which he says to 'slather' on at night. It does help keep my feet fairly moisturised. The aussy foot balm is very good just rather expensive and you don't get much in a tube.
 
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