Diabetes

Proper foot care is vital when living with diabetes and preventing complications. However, it can be hard knowing where to start. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of shoes, socks and foot care products to help you treat and manage painful diabetes symptoms. Shop the range to look after your feet and look stylish while doing it!

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Michelle Gibson
MSc, BSc, PGCE, MRCoP, Podiatrist
Michelle has over 30 years of experience in the NHS, private practice, and the commercial sector and is driven by her profound passion for podiatry and the wellbeing of our customers.


Diabetic Foot Care Products 


Orthopaedic Shoes For Bespoke Comfort 


Whether you’re looking for athleisure, a formal loafer, a walking boot or the perfect everyday shoe - we’ve got you covered! We stock a range of reputable brands, such as Dr Comfort and Usaflex. We only stock the most durable, comfortable podiatrist-designed shoes to help manage your condition without compromising on fashion. They offer a range of trendy styles in versatile neutrals to seamlessly blend in with your existing wardrobe all year round.


The shoes are made from high-quality materials, such as leather and a range of textiles, with a variety of fastenings to suit your needs. Along with removable insoles, this means that the shoes can be tailored to fit the shape and needs of your feet. Additionally, the shoes are also designed to be as easy to put on and remove as possible.


Dual-density midsoles, heel cushioning and footbeds help create comfort and stability with every step, absorbing the impact of the ground. This helps soothe foot pain associated with diabetes, as well as lessening trips and falls.



Diabetic Insoles & Arch Support


Whatever your needs, from diabetes to plantar fasciitis, our bespoke range of insoles mean that you can tailor any shoe to suit you. You can get heel cups for cushioning and shock absorption, as well as insoles to fit any shoe, foot size and foot sensitivity level. What’s more, high-quality materials such as Dual Density EVA help to reduce pressure on your foot from the ground, as well as conforming to the shape of your foot. This means that you’ll be shielded and supported at every step.


Diabetic Socks


Promote healthy blood circulation and reduce swelling with our compression socks made with diabetes in mind. The socks offer light arch support and reduce pressure on the foot, as well as keeping it dry so that it doesn’t become damp, and therefore at higher risk of damage. 


Foot Files 


If you can’t seem to get rid of troublesome calluses, why not try our gentle but effective foot files. Perfect for removing hard skin and callus build up, they leave your skin feeling soft and smooth to the touch. Followed up with skincare, they make sure your feet are feeling refreshed all year round.


Cracked Heel Skincare & Heel Balm


Hydrate and moisturise your skin with our range of heel skincare and balms. Reputable brands like Dermatonics have created products with soothing ingredients, to help you see results in as little as one day. You can even use exfoliating balms to remove dry skin and leave your skin feeling and looking smooth and pampered. Soften rough skin and minimise the risk of cracking with skincare tailored to meet your needs. 


Sprays To Soothe Tired, Aching Feet & Legs In Seconds


If you suffer from tired, aching feet and legs, our soothing sprays are here to help. They’re perfectly portable and full of natural ingredients to cool and revive tired, aching feet on-the-go. They’re even suitable for use during pregnancy, making them ideal for gestational diabetes.


Nail Care


Look after your nails with our range of oils, clippers and nail care products. These podiatrist-designed and recommended products are designed to help fix damaged, infected,  distorted or flaky nails. Products such as nail oils help your nails grow, leaving them looking and feeling as healthy as can be. 


Shop the range and get tips below to manage your condition. Get supportive products with comfort and health as their top priority,  so you can live your life in comfort.


What Is Diabetes?


Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar levels are higher than normal and you have an absence or reduction in Insulin. Insulin is required to live; it allows glucose to enter our cells from the blood to provide fuel and energy. This is why one of the symptoms of diabetes can be extreme tiredness.


Ultimately, an inability to deal with glucose levels can cause complications with the health of your feet, kidneys, eyes and heart. 


Types Of Diabetes


Type 1 Diabetes


Type 1 diabetes affects 10% of people; it is a condition where you don’t make any insulin. When you eat carbohydrates, such as potatoes and bread, your body breaks them down into glucose, which is absorbed into the blood. However, if you are type 1 diabetic, it isn’t controlled by insulin. Therefore, the blood sugar will continue to rise and make you unwell. This is why type 1 diabetics are given insulin at the point of diagnosis. 


Type 2 Diabetes


Alternatively, type 2 diabetes affects 90% of people. Type 2 diabetes can be linked to obesity, causing a condition called insulin resistance. This is where your cells don’t uptake the glucose for energy properly. 


If the insulin made in your pancreas can’t work properly, or your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin through being overworked, it can eventually tire. This means that healthy eating and weight reduction could enable you to use your insulin more effectively. In some cases, you may require medication (tablets, injections, or insulin). These can be used in combination to obtain the best control of your blood sugar levels. 


Differences Between The Two Types



































  Type 1 Type 2

What is happening


Your body attacks the cells in your pancreas, which means it cannot make any insulin. Your body is unable to make enough insulin, or the insulin you do make doesn’t work properly.
Risk factors We don’t currently know what causes type 1 diabetes. We know some things can put you at risk of having type 2, like weight and ethnicity.
Symptoms The symptoms for type 1 appear more quickly. Type 2 symptoms can be easier to miss because they appear more slowly.
Management Type 1 is managed by taking insulin to control your blood sugar. You can manage type 2 diabetes in more ways than type 1. These include through medication, exercise and diet. People with type 2 can also be prescribed insulin.
Cure and prevention Currently there is no cure for type 1, but research continues. Type 2 cannot be cured, but there is evidence to say in many cases it can be prevented and put into remission.

 


Gestational Diabetes 


Gestational Diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy; it usually disappears after you have given birth. It occurs when you can’t produce enough insulin to meet your extra needs in pregnancy. Adjustments such as dietary changes and introducing gentle activity or medicine may be recommended to help manage the condition.


Diabetes Foot Treatment & Condition Management


Check Your Feet Regularly


Because your feet can be at high risk from foot damage, you must inspect your feet daily for blisters, bleeding, and cuts between your toes. Use a mirror to examine your feet if you can’t bend to see the bottom of your feet. 


If diabetes has affected your eyes or vision so you can’t see your feet properly, then ask a carer or family member to check your feet daily.


Look After Your Skin


It’s recommended that you wash your feet daily in warm, soapy water and dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes.


Use diabetic foot care products to take care of your feet such as specialist creams, lotions and sprays. You should not apply creams or lotions in between your toes, as this can put you at risk of a fungal infection, or a break in the skin that could lead to a bacterial infection.


Wear Well-Fitting Shoes


Similarly, you should wear specialist diabetic foot care products such as shoes, socks, hosiery and insoles such as the above, if you’re instructed to do so by a professional.


It is vital that your shoes fit properly, allowing for sufficient room where it is required, or where your feet are particularly swollen.


Cut Your Toenails Carefully 


Cut your toenails very carefully and do not dig into the corners. Again, if you have poor vision or ability to reach your feet then please seek professional help. This will lower your risk of damage to your feet and possible infection.


Get An Annual Foot Check


Go for your annual foot check with a professional, such as a podiatrist, GP, diabetes nurse, or practice nurse. Essentially, this is like taking your feet for a MOT. It is where a professional looks at your feet and gives you advice if there has been any change in blood supply, feeling in your feet or shape of your feet. Without having your feet checked annually, and by yourself daily, you could be at risk of foot ulceration and possibly amputation.


If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to diabetes foot care, we’re here to help. Shop the range to find the perfect product to soothe your symptoms! 


Diabetic Foot Care & Treatment FAQs 


What Happens During A Diabetes Foot Check? 


1. Assessing The Skin


First, the professional will examine your feet and legs for any blisters, scabs, redness, heat or swelling, through an assessment of the skin. 


2. Looking For Changes In Sensation


They will then move on to test for numbness or changes in sensation, also known as neuropathy. They test for this with a special piece of equipment called a monofilament. The test doesn’t hurt; it will test for numbness, which would make you unable to feel socks or shoes rubbing to cause blisters etc.


3. Testing The Blood Supply 


After testing for numbness, they will feel for the pulses in your feet to test the blood supply. There are 2 main pulses in your feet – one on the inside of your ankle and one on the top. Depending on the professional you see, they may also listen to them with a device called a doppler. This is a similar machine to what midwives use to listen to a baby’s heartbeat during pregnancy. 


They may ask you questions about walking and your ability to walk distances. This will help the professional to gather all the information on the blood supply to your feet. If they find any abnormalities, they may refer you to another professional at the hospital, or continue to monitor you on a more regular basis.


Your professional should give you information on the results and how much you are at risk of getting a foot problem. 



How Often Should You Get A Foot Check If You Are Diabetic?


This will depend on your risk level of developing foot problems:


Low Risk


If you’re at low risk, your foot check will now happen every other year, as it’s not likely you will develop foot problems. However, if you notice any changes in your feet, like changes in colour, swelling or loss of feeling, you should speak with your diabetes care team straight away.



Moderate Risk


If you’re at moderate risk, you will be referred to a podiatrist. If the podiatrist doesn’t think you need more regular checks, you will keep having a foot check every year. If this is the case and you can’t manage your footcare safely, you will need to see a private practitioner. The podiatrist will help create a plan for further monitoring, if needed.



High Risk


If you’re at high risk, the podiatrist will now be in charge of your footcare; they will discuss a plan with you to help you take care of your feet. The plan will be reviewed at least once a year, and you might be referred to other specialists. This is to help stop you from getting a foot ulcer that could lead to an amputation.



What Should You Not Do To Your Feet If You Have Diabetes? 


You should not apply creams or lotions in between your toes, as this can put you at risk of a fungal infection, or a break in the skin that could lead to a bacterial infection.


You should also not soak your feet, and test any bath water with your elbow before getting in with your feet. This is because your hands can be used to hot water that may damage or blister your feet. Or, your hands and feet can lose the ability to tell the difference between hot and cold due to neuropathy. 


Additionally, don’t use any acids or chemical remedies on your feet, such as corn plasters and wart treatments. You should instead seek professional help to avoid further damage or infection which could lead to complications.


Similarly, you should not wear ill-fitting shoes, as this can worsen existing concerns, such as blood supply issues.


Can Diabetic Feet Be Cured? 


There is no known cure for diabetic neuropathy and diabetes-associated foot conditions. Instead, you can use the remedies above, such as supportive, well-fitting footwear, heel gel, proper foot and nail care and arch support, to help mitigate the symptoms.


Is Soaking Feet Good For Diabetics? 


No, you should not soak your feet if you have diabetes. This is because it makes your skin soggy and at higher risk of damage. You can also lose the ability to tell if the water is hot due to neuropathy, which could lead to burns. 

Footwear particularly suitable for diabetics

Check out Dr Comfort selection of Diabetic friendly Womens shoes, boots, slippers & sandals

Check out Dr Comfort selection of Diabetic friendly Womens shoes, boots, slippers & sandals