Tootsies-Am I worrying too much?

[ladybird64]

Morning all, I need your combined wisdom yet again.

As some of you know, I have a daughter with special needs who also has diabetes type 2, on Insulin, Metformin and Sitagliptin.

Now daughter is presently in a hospital setting (privately run care hopsital not NHS run) due to her severe behavioural problems. She is doing fairly well there and her diabetes is excellent, bg levels down to 6's and 7's instead of the 20's she had before.

Anyway, I went to see her yesterday, she her own room with ensuite bathroom and the pong of cheesy feet was awful! (Sorry for the graphic stuff). I gave her hands and feet a massage like we used to do when she was at home and was quite worried to see just how grubby her feet were. Not filty but definitely on the mucky side. I asked her when she last had a shower and the answer was Friday! :shock: She also said she hadn't been wearing socks with her trainers..

Now I don't want to make a big hullaballoo over nothing but surely the staff should be keeping an eye on this? I know they can't tell her what to do but I have a feeling that they don't worry about encouraging hygiene. I'm a bit concerned in case she gets blisters or any kind of cut on the feet that it might get infected and cause a problem.

I haven't raised the issue with staff yet. Do you think I may be overreacting? I wouldn't be worrying at all if she didn't have the diabetes.

I would appreciate your advice on this one and by the way, I did tell her that she needed to take better care of her feet, should I approach staff?

Ta muchly

 

[Snodger]

Difficult to know what to recommend with respect to how you approach the subject, since I don't know your daughter or the relationship you have with the staff there. For your personal peace of mind, if her bgs are good, and she still has all the feeling in her feet (ie no neuropathy), then she should be at the same sort of risk as anyone else of infections and cuts/abrasions.
However, even so, I think in your position I'd feel justified in making a fuss. Her bgs may be good right now but as you know it's not always easy to keep them good. Prevention is way, way better than cure when it comes to foot infections. And apart from anything else, if you aren't happy with the overall hygiene levels - and as you say, things are actually starting to smell bad - then that alone is worth making a fuss about I would have thought.

 

[carty]

Not knowing all the facts it is difficult to help but at this stage maybe a quiet word with the staff to ask if they could encourage your daughter to shower more often as you are concerned about her hygiene . They must have noticed the fact that her feet smell .
CAROL

 

[ladybird64]

Difficult to know what to recommend with respect to how you approach the subject, since I don't know your daughter or the relationship you have with the staff there. For your personal peace of mind, if her bgs are good, and she still has all the feeling in her feet (ie no neuropathy), then she should be at the same sort of risk as anyone else of infections and cuts/abrasions.
However, even so, I think in your position I'd feel justified in making a fuss. Her bgs may be good right now but as you know it's not always easy to keep them good. Prevention is way, way better than cure when it comes to foot infections. And apart from anything else, if you aren't happy with the overall hygiene levels - and as you say, things are actually starting to smell bad - then that alone is worth making a fuss about I would have thought.

Hi Snodger

Thanks for this, I wasn't too sure if she would be at higher risk of foot infection because of the diabetes although she has no neuropathy, that has been checked before.
She isn't avoiding soap and water and is washing at the hand basin, using deodorant etc but the feet are getting neglected, probably because they are shoved into trainers or slippers!

At 21(but mentally younger) she is the youngest of 5 who all had "cheesy foot syndrome" in their teens but for obvious reasons I was more concerned for her.

Staff are good but as they are dealing with quite severe issues, feet may be low on their priorities. I think I will have a word with them and explain the importance of footcare.

Appreciate the advice.

Thanks for your advice too Carol x

 

[noblehead]

Hi LB,

Whether it's private or NHS I would expect better care to be taken ensuring the patient has showed and wearing clean clothing, have a word with the ward sister and discuss your concerns.