Diabetic Pedicure: Peculiarities and Foot Care Routine

• 1. What Exactly is a Diabetic Foot?
• 2. Diabetic Pedicure: Importance and Basics
• 3. What Type of Pedicure to Choose for Diabetic Feet?
• 4. Diabetic Foot Care 

Diabetes is an endocrine disease that may lead to such chronic complications as diabetic foot syndrome. In this case, a pedicure is not just a whim but a necessity — a professional pedicure helps to avoid trophic ulcers and tissue necrosis. If you want to know more about peculiarities of pedicures and the right foot care for people with diabetes, you’ve come to the right place.

What Exactly is a Diabetic Foot?

Metabolism changes (which are typical of diabetes) result in poor blood circulation, tissue malnutrition, decreased protective functions, and loss of sensation. Feet become dry and cracked and can be easily injured. Due to higher pain tolerance, diabetics don’t feel discomfort from injuries, which can lead to grave consequences: a minor injury can cause necrosis or gangrene, and even result in amputation. That's why taking care of diabetic feet is really important.

The main symptoms of diabetic foot syndrome:

• numbness and lower sensation in limbs
• changes in skin color
• slow healing of wounds
• nail thickening or deformities
• pain and discomfort when walking
• dry, itchy, and peeling skin.

Indications for a diabetic pedicure:

• hyperkeratosis
• corns
• dry skin
• heel fissures
• skin and nail damage, including infectious diseases.

Diabetic Pedicure: Importance and Basics

Diabetic feet are prone to additional strain — foot deformities, calluses, corns, and ingrown toenails are the most common problems caused by abnormal processes in tissues. That's why a diabetic pedicure is a must-have step in your basic treatment and prevention of complications.

A diabetic pedi helps to:

• prevent hyperkeratosis
• maintain your toenails in good condition
• treat small cracks
• prevent infections
• soften dry skin
• normalize nutrition of skin cells
• reduce strain on your feet
• diagnose early symptoms of diabetic foot syndrome.

Do’s and don’ts for diabetic feet treatment:

• don't get carried away with soaking your feet
• steer clear of cutting tools
• don't use powerful foot softeners or cauters
• don’t cut cuticles — just push them back gently
• use alcohol-free disinfectants, for example, chlorhexidine or miramistin
• opt for fine grate files and e-file bits
• don’t do foot massages
• stick to aseptic principles.

What Type of Pedicure to Choose for Diabetic Feet?

People with diabetes should get a pedicure once or twice a month. Moreover, doctors warn against doing a pedicure yourself due to a high risk of skin damage and the development of diabetes-related complications. At home, you should limit yourself to a simple examination of your feet and basic hygiene procedures. Even if you don't have the first signs of diabetic foot syndrome, it's better to turn to a specialist — a podologist. Podologists perform both a regular toenail care routine and a therapeutic pedicure.

Before the procedure, the podologist examines the feet, determines the degree of tissue damage, and sends a patient to an additional check-up if necessary. Finally, they prescribe an individual preventive care plan.

People with diabetes should avoid a classic pedicure and opt for an e-file one instead. An e-file, or Russian, pedi is a technique that uses an electric file which excludes the risk of skin damage. An e-file nail drill is used with gentle fine-grained ceramic bits and abrasive caps.

Let’s look at e-file pedicure guidelines for diabetic feet:

1. A specialist disinfects their hands, tools, and a patient’s feet.
2. Cuticles are pushed back with the help of a special e-file bit.
3. Toughened parts of nail folds are removed.
4. A ceramic bit is used to deal with thickened toenails.
5. Areas of rough skin like calluses or corns are removed.
6. The heels are exfoliated.
7. Free edges are filed and nail plates are buffed.
8. Finally, it's time to use diabetic foot cream or ointment.

The podologist carefully treats all the cracks, ulcers, and infectious lesions if there are any.

An acid pedicure is also a nice choice for diabetic feet. Such a pedi makes use of AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) that make your feet smooth and soft.

Diabetic Foot Care 

There are several rules that you should follow if you have diabetic foot syndrome:

1. Examine your feet for ulcers and cracks every day.
2. If you have cracks or wounds, treat them with alcohol-free antibacterial solutions.
3. Maintain foot hygiene and do daily warm herbal foot soaks with chamomile, sage, calendula, or plantain. Keep in mind that it's recommended not to soak your feet for a long time — five-seven minutes will be more than enough. You should also remember that water shouldn't be more than 37°C hot.
4. Don't rub wet feet with a towel. Blotting your feet is much preferable.
5. Moisturize your feet with diabetic foot cream every day, avoiding toe webspace.
6. Wear comfortable orthopedic shoes that don't cause rubbing or pressure to your feet. Opt for diabetic shoes to prevent injuries.
7. Don’t walk barefoot.
8. Don't cut ingrown toenails and cuticles yourself. It’s better to leave all foot procedures to a professional.
9. File your toenails in a straight line. And remember — no scissors!
10. If you have wounds, ulcers, or sores, don't try to treat them yourself — you need to see a specialist as soon as possible. 
11. Get regular pedicures.

If you're no stranger to diabetic foot syndrome, a pedicure should become a must-do procedure for you. Thanks to regular visits to a podologist, your feet will stay healthy, and you'll avoid the dangerous effects of this metabolic disorder.