As we come out of November’s Diabetes Awareness month, we look forward with a few tips for diabetic footcare in the winter months.
Meghan Knox, Canadian Certified Pedorthist and clinic manager of BioPed in Guelph shares some helpful ideas for making sure that everyone’s feet are staying healthy through the cold weather.
Tips for Diabetic Footcare in the Winter
If you are living with diabetes, making sure that your feet are healthy is extra important. Meghan shares a few of her favourite pieces of advice that can help you take good care of your feet this winter:
Keep an Eye on Your Feet Daily
Meghan recommends getting into the habit of checking your feet daily.
“Keeping an eye on your feet can help you to address any issues before they become big health problems. Make sure that you're monitoring any redness. If you have severe neuropathy, consider keeping a mirror beside the bed so you can easily take a peek at the bottom of your feet,” says Meghan.
She also recommends booking routine checkups with an Advanced Footcare Nurse. Your nurse will create a customized timeline for appointments depending on each individual’s needs. These specialized nurses offer a wide range of services including general foot and nail care and wound/ulcer care. They are knowledgeable and experienced in diabetes-related foot issues.
Make Sure Your Boots Fit Properly
Cold weather and wet feet are a dangerous combination for individuals living with diabetes. This combination can increase the risk of developing foot ulcers. Choosing the right winter boot is important. Look for boots that are warm and keep your feet dry.
Properly fitting boots are also important. Check with one of BioPed’s footcare specialists to make sure your boots are not too tight and will not cause blisters.
Choosing the Right Socks
Socks are also an important part of footcare, especially if you are living with diabetes.
“If you have neuropathy, choose white socks or light-coloured socks so you can notice bleeding right away,” says Meghan.
She also recommends carrying an extra pair of socks in case your feet get wet. Reduce the chances of dangerous bacteria growing by always removing wet socks as soon as possible.
Moisturize
Keeping your feet moisturized is incredibly important, especially in the winter when cracking skin is much more likely to happen. The air is dry and your feet are often the first to suffer.
“We carry a diabetic-friendly footcare line that includes lotions for specific issues like cracked heels and fungal treatments,” explains Meghan.
Use Caution with Heat
Since diabetes can cause neuropathy, some people have a hard time feeling temperature in their feet. Avoid accidental burns by being extra-cautious with heating pads, hot baths, or electric blankets. Always check the temperature before sticking your feet into a hot foot soak.
Keeping on top of healthy footcare habits will keep your feet feeling great and also supports an overall healthy lifestyle. If you have any questions about diabetic footcare, book an assessment appointment with one of BioPed’s helpful team members by calling the clinic at (519) 821-7310.
To learn more about diabetic footcare in the winter months, check out BioPed’s blog.
BioPed is located at 102 Wyndham Street North in Guelph.