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Type 1 and foot care

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maggiewy2209

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Hi all!

I am fairly new to this site, but am seeking some advice! So I have been type 1 diabetic for about 6 years now. I was first diagnosed right before going off to college. I was never educated well on diabetes and its complications as I was diagnosed at a not-so-great hospital.

Up until recently, I was not taking my diabetes very seriously. Partly because I was enjoying a care-free college lifestyle, but also because no one really told me otherwise. My endo seemed fine with my A1C around 7.5 and 8 and said it was fine while I was in college....

So to my question: I have obviously heard my whole life that diabetes and caring for your feet go hand and hand. Everyone always tells you about their great aunt who had her foot amputated due to diabetes blah blah, but I always assumed it was only for old people or maybe for type 2s. So now I am freaking out about taking care of my feet (on top of everything else) and read where diabetics are supposed to wear socks and shoes at all times? No sandals? So my question is how do you all care for your feet? Am I really supposed to wear closed toe shoes at all time?

Any advice or opinions or related experiences are welcome!

Thanks!
 
Hi @maggiewy2209
welcome to the forum:)

I was diagnosed a long long time ago ( 1972)
that advice was given to me and I have paid attention to it :)

OK so I didn't and still don't look very cool in the summer when most everyone else is either barefoot or in open toed sandals.

my feet are still in excellent condition , circulation is really good too.

So I would say the advice is good advice:)
 
Foot care and checking your feet daily just to make sure all is ok is very important. Any foot problems - see your doctor just to make sure.

I wear sandals and open-toed shoes and heels, etc, but I make sure they're comfortable and always check my feet.
 
I do check my feet regularly and have a weekly routine of giving them a good once over...and thankfully so far so good. Although...I wear nothing but boots through the winter but in the summer I live in flip flops...not ideal I know...but so far not a problem and doctor is always very pleased with my feet :)
 
maggiewy2209 said:
So my question is how do you all care for your feet?
Click to expand...

I get my feet looked at by a Podiatrist through my gp practice, but in the mean-time I just keep checking my feet for any cuts or sores and make sure to keep the toenails trimmed, I do a lot of walking so moisturise the bottom of my feet most days with a product called Flexitol Heel Balm, it's safe to use for people with diabetes and it was my Podiatrist that recommended it to me.

There's some good information in the following on how you should care for your feet:

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Monitoring/Feet/
 
When I was diagnosed,way back in1962, while in hospital the ward sister frog marched to the surgical ward and there was a chap with both feet amputated and she said that if I didn't look after my feet I would end up like that,boy,did that stick in my mind! I regularly visit the podiatrist via my G P practice and check my feet every night ,so far no problems.
 
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