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Leg protection help please

T

tibbles

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello

I'm new to this and to any forum bear with me please. Type 2 on insulin, complications neuropathy, diabetic kidney disease, had triple heart by-pass, mild stroke, etc. The problem is with the skin on my "bony" legs and having no feeling there, I keep tearing my skin when doing certain jobs about the house. Has anyone ever bought padded leg protectors to help prevent this and if so where did you buy them from and can you recommend using them? I need to do something because I have to keep having the wounds dressed and I don't want them to turn bad, your help and advice would be appreciated thank you.
 
Just wondering if anyone can help me over this one please - thanks if you can?
 
Hi

I haven't come across this myself however when I read your post the fist thing that sprung to mind was the leg pads my children have for Karate. They pull on like a sock and have an opening for the heel. The front is padded, but soft, no rigid like a shin pad and the pack is thickly elasticated.

I think they would be ideal if a bit warm!
They will be about £5 00 to £10.00 Not the most glamorous solution though!

Cara
 
Would something like a compression bandage or a sock worn to prevent DVT help
CAROL
 
Hi
Are you ensuring the skin on your legs is well hydrated, by frequent emollient use. Good skin care helps decrease the incidence and severity of skin tears. Discuss with your PN a suitable modern dressing that could be applied by you, after gently cleaning the tear with water. Dressings should be left in place for up to a week unless the wound shows sign of clinical infection.
Please do not consider the use of compression hosiery as inappropriate compression can cause more problems especially if you have reduced sensation.

Keep applying an emollient, it will help make your skin less friable and liable to damage. Talk to your PN or GP.


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Thanks Carra - Carol and Westie for your replies. Will definitely look into the Karate shin pads, don't care what they look like as long as they can help because I'm knocking my shins quite often and making things difficult for myself. I don't think I would like to try the compression stockings as I have bad circulation anyway and with the thin skin I think I might cause problems though not too sure without advice.

Westie, I don't cream my legs but do my feet, never think of the legs with cream but because of the neuropathy in the feet and dry skin I do them, I will definitely give it a go to cream my legs now, do you think E45 cream will be ok to use? Thank you all for your help.
 
Hi
E45 would be fine, when you use the cream just make sure you apply in the direction of hair growth, to prevent any problems with the skin follicles.
Ideally you should use it twice a day and you should start to feel an improvement in skin quality, which will help reduce the impact of any skin tears.


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