• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Type 1 Hard skin

  • Thread starter Thread starter nicbarnett
  • Start Date Start Date
N

nicbarnett

Guest
Pretty disgusting conversation so I do apologise, I suffer from the worst hard skin on my feet, I can cut it off with scissors
Any tips?
 
Step away from the scissors !

Seriously, self refer to the podiatrist for starters and advice on how to deal with it. If that's not possible, there are various creams and potions ( labelled as suitable for diabetics ) on sale in pharmacies for treating your hard skin .

I'm sure others will come along with tried and tested advice

Signy
 
 
Ask to self refer via your surgery, it's an entitlement of beind a diabetic ( you should be offered an appointment with one on a yearly basis anyway )

I know some tend to go down the pulse check with a nurse route ( cost saving! ) but ask anyway . Shy bairns get nowt !

( and it would save you a mint of money too )


Signy
 

Well they kept that quiet, thank you x
 
Good advice from Heathenlass, your gp surgery can arrange an appointment for you to be seen by a podiatrist, they will advise on the the best way to deal with hard skin, as diabetics we do have to be extra careful with our feet.

To keep hard skin away I use a product called Flexitol Heel Balm, its safe for people with diabetes to use.
 

Thanks @noblehead , that's the stuff I have been trying to remember the name of . If you hadn't posted it it would have been nagging away at me I've never used it but have heard good reports so I mentally filed it away, just in case.

Flexifeet ?
Toltoes?
Flexitoes ?
Gaaaah !


Signy
 
@Heathenlass, it was a podiatrist who mentioned it several years ago, it's a great product and keeps hard skin away.
 
Had this and badly cracked heels problem for years I see a NHS and Private chiropodist alternate months, I use Flexitol and diprobase double base cream and this helps considerably each cream on alternate months. Both on prescription.
 
It can also help to put on the Heel Balm or Diprobase etc at night after soaking feet for 10 minutes, wrap in cling film and put socks on over the top, really helps soften the skin. Sounds daft I know, but it's something people with psoriasis do to help stop the build up of hard skin, and I can say it really works. Just be careful if you get up during the night for the loo, it can be a bit slippery!
 
Once you get your feet sorted out try and keep up the good work by using a foot file (I use a Scholl Party Feet file) and making sure you use a moisturiser or foot balm. Use it at night and wear some cotton socks to keep your sheets clean.
 

I've only ever had the pulse check with a nurse, didn't know about the podiatrist. If they offer the pulse check with a nurse can you insist on a podiatrist instead? I have other problems with my feet that could mask diabetic problems.
 
rowan said:
I've only ever had the pulse check with a nurse, didn't know about the podiatrist. If they offer the pulse check with a nurse can you insist on a podiatrist instead? I have other problems with my feet that could mask diabetic problems.
Click to expand...

@rowan , push for a podiatrist appointment, especially if you are having problems with your feet ! The podiatrist is trained to deal with these, and nurses are not, apart from pulses and not very accurate sensitivity tests For example, if you have loss of sensitivity due to nerve damage from other conditions, the podiatrist can identify what is diabetic related, and what is not.

Signy
 

Thank you. I get some sharp stabbing pains on my soles which I think someone once said was nerve damage, and having had severe Palmoplantar pustulosis (which affects soles and palms) for the last 9 years that's no surprise, but the pustules and build up of flaking and splitting skin could be hiding diabetic complications, I'll phone the doctor now before i forget again!
 
@rowan, once a podiatrist has sorted out the hard skin, it's worth spending a couple of minutes each day checking and looking after your feet. I remember Seb Coe telling us on telly how important it is to look after the skin on your feet, and I guess he should know! I agree that Flexitol is very good, but I also use a small amount of ordinary almond oil every day (which I get in a plastic bottle from Holland & Barrett). Applying this every day gives you the opportunity to check your feet, keeps the skin supple and helps to stop hard skin returning.
 

With the palomplantar pustulosis I spend about an hour each day checking and treating my feet with various potions from moisturizer to steroid creams to dressings
 
rowan said:
With the palomplantar pustulosis I spend about an hour each day checking and treating my feet with various potions from moisturizer to steroid creams to dressings
Click to expand...
Sorry, I hadn't had a chance to read your latest post when I last posted! Good luck with dealing with this.
 
Sounds good @noblehead you can't see a podiatrist through our surgery though ...not for the last two years ...cut backs from higher up ...
So I will get some of the cream you mention ..Thank you ...kat
 
Kat100 said:
Sounds good @noblehead you can't see a podiatrist through our surgery though ...not for the last two years ...cut backs from higher up ...
So I will get some of the cream you mention ..Thank you ...kat
Click to expand...

Thankfully we have a podiatrist that visits our gp surgery every week for a afternoon session, its a shame that your surgery has made these cutbacks Kat. but the Flexitol is an excellent product, have a look on-line for the cheapest deal as it can be expensive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…