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Help - dry and cracky feet

B

bluestar

Active Member
Messages
36
Ever since I have been diagnosed with diabetes I have been expiriencing dry and cracked heels. What Can I do to manage this problem. I moisturise my feet after every bath. What am I doing wrong? I know looking after feet is quite important for people with diabetes. :?
 
I do my feet every morning and evening with foot butter from boots - twice a week I do a foot pamper and soak them in a bowl for about 30 minutes with some foot soak - then use a foot scrub, dry well and lather them in hemp butter from the body shop and put on cotton socks overnight - keeps my feet lovely and moisturised - be careful not to moisturise in between your toes - using a little surgical spirit in between your toes will keep them healthy - works for me and is a great de-stresser too
 


If you have a problem with your feet you can self refer to an NHS Podiatrist for help and advice in managing the problem. The self help measures outlined by Lovinglife are good advice, but as a Diabetic you need to be careful where feet are concerned.

Dry, cracked heels can often develop into what are called fissures, which can open and bleed. Before this sort of thing starts to happen then it is important to get professional advice and treatment.

If the problem persists after using the self help measures see a Podiatrist.

Ken
 
The important thing is to stop hard skin building up - that's when heels crack. I do mine every day - my endo recommended a pumice stone but I use a special foot rasp (ceramic - never metallic) gently and then a foot cream. If you're scraping a lot of hard skin do a little each day not a lot at a time. Clean between my toes and dry not using anything greasy. Having seen that TV programme - The Hospital, last week - I am fanatical about foot care now!
 
I have had problems too - used to use the Avon cream, but found I was using so much of it I had a reaction to it and my feet became really really itchy so it became a vicious circle! GP suggested E45 but I don't find that works very well. Am going to see her this week to ask for something else - will let you know if I get anything that works.
 
bluestar,

Its always best to see your podiatrist or gp when dealing with issues to do with the feet, no matter how trivial it may seem.

The best product I have tried and have used for the last 3-4 years is Flexitol Heel Balm. It was suggested to me by my podiatrist and the tube/packaging mentions that it is safe to use on diabetic feet, I use it on my feet every other day and it keeps my skin supple and soft, but it is quite greasy when first applied and best left to soak in before dressing.

Nigel
 
Hi bluestar,
You do not mention if your blood sugars are under control.

Your skin is the biggest organ of the body and as diabetes affects all our organs it could be that high blood sugars are causing the problem.
Take on board the suggestions for pampering your feet and if your blood sugars are acceptable and there is no improvement then you need to see your G.P.
 
I was told by a chiropodist that he makes his own foot cream using aquous cream with a few drops of lavender and tea tree oils in. Makes a really nice inexpensive cream which I have used for years.
 
Hi I was told the same as Noblehead about flexitol you can purchase it on ebay for 56g tube to try my Podiatrist recommended it.




Lanzlady
 
lanzlady said:
Hi I was told the same as Noblehead about flexitol you can purchase it on ebay for 56g tube to try my Podiatrist recommended it.
Lanzlady
Click to expand...

That's good to hear!

Those that are type 1 may like to know that you can get Flexitol on prescription.

Nigel
 
The best foot cream I've used is CCS Foot Care Cream.
 
Yeah the flexitol heel balm is what my podiatrist gave me. It's really good. Slather it on, cotton socks a few nights in a row overnight and you should see good results.

I'm using the bodyshop peppermint foot rescue...it's divine. But I've been slacking lately and my feet are pretty badly dry and cracked at the moment, ugh.
 
Are the two related (dry skin and diabetes)?

I have seen loaddddds of Podiatrist. I've had 4 broken feet in my time, Bunion surgery and problems with plantar facitiiss/pronation/Supintation and I'm only 24. Anyway he has never mentioned my skin on my feet. I thought that was more for the chiropodist.

Anyway I have one of those pedeggs (there great for dry skin) and I also use bodyshop body butter.
Works wondars.
 
A Podiatrist and a Chiropodist are one and the same thing........the name changed to Podiatrist around 1993 as it is an Internationally recognised title for someone who specialises in problems to do with the feet.

Ken
 
I've got a deep painful crack in the heel of each foot. I'm going to ring the GP tomorrow to find out how I go about seeing a chiropodist but given that it's coming up for Easter I don't anticipate a speedy appointment. To keep me going, can anyone who uses the Flexitol check the patient information leaflet and see whether it's safe to use where the skin is that badly cracked?

Any other suggestions for me to look after my feet until I see an expert? Obviously keep them clean and dry. I've been filing the dead skin off with an emery paper style foot file (a Scholl one) and using some Vaseline lotion to try and soften the skin. I have used TCP cream on the cracks to try and stop infection taking hold. Anything else?
 
Bathing your feet imn warm water with added olive oill for about tem n minutes each day is a better way of removing dry skin. If you file it offf the skin underneath is very tender and soon hardens again.

The oil and waer method rehydrates he skin. At least it does for me. Hope it helps you too.
 

Just checked the patient information and all it say is 'Transient stinging may occur in deep cracks'. To be safe I would let your gp take a look at them first before applying any foot balm, this would be a quicker option whilst you wait to be seen by a chiropodist.

Nigel
 
If you cant get to see your GP I would go to your pharmacy They are very good if you ask to speak to the pharmacist and explain that you are DB .
CAROL
 
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