1. If the Shoe Fits
Diabetes causes problems with circulation to the extremities, which includes the feet. Without the right shoes, feet become irritated or infected. If left untreated, this can eventually lead to amputation. So, for diabetics, the right foot wear is crucial. Ill fitting shoes lessen foot sensitivity and before you know it, you have sores or an infection. Shoes designed for the diabetic help ease stress to the feet and keep diabetic feet healthy and free from disease.
2. What the Doctor Ordered
The first stop on the way to buying diabetic shoes is a visit to your doctor or podiatrist. The doctor will let you know if you have any nerve damage in your feet due to your diabetes. If nerve damage is present it's important to buy shoes specifically designed for diabetics. Nerve damage means you can't feel pressure or irritation like someone without diabetes, and bad fitting shoes will eventually cause problems. Without proper feeling, shoes that are too tight rub blisters that lead to infection and other serious complications.
3. Fit Comes First
Although most people buy shoes because of how they look, diabetics need shoes for how they fit. The design of a diabetic shoe takes into consideration the need for good circulation to the feet. Diabetic shoes come in many varieties and designs for different activities. Buy diabetic shoes for whatever activity you need them for. You may need a pair for walking, the office or everyday use. At the very least, buy diabetic shoes you can use everyday.
4. How to Choose
The best way to choose diabetic shoes is by wearing the socks or hosiery you'll be wearing with the shoes on a regular basis. If you buy shoes that feel great in the store but are too tight when you change socks, this defeats the purpose of getting the right fit. Purchase lace-up shoes instead of slip-ons to prevent pressure to the skin when putting on and removing shoes. Slip on shoes fit more tightly as a general rule because they need to stay snug while wearing. So, lace-up shoes provide the flexibility for tightening and loosening as needed.
5. Happy Hour for Feet
The best time for anyone to buy shoes is at the end of the day. Feet tend to be more their regular size after an entire day of walking, sitting and standing. Feet are a bit larger at the end of the day, so this gives a truer fit that will feel comfortable all the time. If you buy shoes in the morning, you might end up with something too tight, and for the diabetic this is dangerous. Diabetics need shoes that fit right all the time, so buy them at the end of the day to ensure comfort and proper fit throughout the day.
