Good diabetic skin care is the key to preventing wounds and breaks in the skin that can cause diabetes complications. Feet are especially prone to developing these problems, particularly if your condition has damaged the nerves in the feet. When nerve damage occurs, you may not feel pain in your legs or feet and may not notice a sore or cut, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Proper skin care techniques can help you identify wounds and reduce the chance that you will develop an infection.
Step 1
Examine your body every night for cuts, wounds, blisters, calluses or red or raw areas. Pay particular attention to feet or legs, as wounds are more likely to occur on these areas of the body.
Step 2
Remove corns or calluses with a pumice stone or emery board after you bathe or shower. Removing corns and calluses will help prevent raw spots on your feet due to pressure from your shoes.
Step 3
Wear socks to prevent blisters and wear shoes or slippers at all times to prevent injuring your feet.
Step 4
Wash your body daily with soap. Dry every area of the body thoroughly, taking extra time to make sure that the armpits and areas under the breasts, between the toes and between the legs are completely dry to prevent irritation caused by the wet skin rubbing against itself.
Step 5
Treat athlete's foot promptly with antifungal medication. Athlete's foot can cause redness, irritation and skin cracks and expose your feet to infection. Wear sandals or shower shoes when showering in a locker room or public shower.
Step 6
Apply moisturizer to your skin after bathing to prevent raw spots on the skin caused by dry skin. Dry skin can cause the skin to crack, allowing germs to enter your body and cause an infection.
Tips and Warnings
- Some skin problems can be reduced if you avoid wearing shoes that rub against your feet, create pressure points on your feet or cause blisters. Avoid tight clothing that irritates the skin if you have diabetes. If you can't see every part of your feet, ask a family member to help examine your feet for wounds and cuts.
- Ingrown toenails can cause infections in the skin surrounding the toe. Wearing shoes that aren't too tight and keeping toenails from getting too long can help prevent ingrown toenails. The American Diabetes Association recommends visiting a podiatrist for routine foot care, including nail trimming. Call your doctor if you notice a wound that isn't healing or a cut or wound on your feet or legs. Antibiotic treatment may be needed to treat the wound or prevent infection from occurring.
Things You'll Need
- Pumice stone
- Emery board
- Moisturizer
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