Diabetes FAQs

is vaseline good for diabetic feet

by Prof. Kenny Daniel Published 1 year ago Updated 11 months ago
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Diabetes can cause very dry skin, which in turn can cause cracking and other problems. ... but remember, DON'T put lotion or Vaseline between your toes. Extra moisture there can lead to infection.

What is the thickest skin on the bottom of the foot?

What is the best way to moisturize dry feet?

Does ointment help dry skin?

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What lotion is good to use on feet for a diabetic person?

Eucerin Diabetics' Dry Skin Relief Foot Creme. Gold Bond Ultimate Diabetics' Dry Skin Relief Skin Protectant Foot Cream. Flexitol Diabetic Foot Balm. Miracle Foot Repair Cream.

What should a diabetic soak their feet in?

You can make an Epsom foot bath by adding one cup of Epsom salts to a tub of warm water. Soak your feet in this mixture for around twenty minutes for relief.

How do diabetics keep their feet moisturized?

The American Diabetes Association offers these moisturizing suggestions: Gently dry your feet after your bath or shower, then coat feet with a small amount of hand cream or petroleum jelly. Avoid rubbing creams or oils between the toes. This increases a person's risk of fungal infection.

What helps a diabetic foot heal?

How Should a Diabetic Foot Ulcer Be Treated?Prevention of infection.Taking the pressure off the area, called “off-loading”Removing dead skin and tissue, called “debridement”Applying medication or dressings to the ulcer.Managing blood glucose and other health problems.

What are 3 things you should never do to the feet of someone with diabetes?

Avoid soaking your feet, as this can lead to dry skin. Dry your feet gently, especially between the toes. Moisturize your feet and ankles with lotion or petroleum jelly. Do not put oils or creams between your toes — the extra moisture can lead to infection.

Should a diabetic wear socks to bed?

Consider socks made specifically for patients living with diabetes. These socks have extra cushioning, do not have elastic tops, are higher than the ankle and are made from fibers that wick moisture away from the skin. Wear socks to bed. If your feet get cold at night, wear socks.

Is Vaseline good for diabetic dry skin?

Moisturize Your Skin If you've got diabetes, itchy skin due to dryness can be a concern. A good moisturizer like Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Advanced Repair Unscented Lotion may help to soothe and relieve itchiness.

How do you apply Vaseline to your feet?

If you experience dryness on your feet, here's what you can do to relieve and soothe them: Apply Vaseline® Jelly – To help protect your toes and reduce friction and rubbing as you walk, apply Vaseline® Jelly to the problem areas so that your toes don't stick to each other, or rub together.

Why do diabetic feet get so dry?

Diabetes can cause a variety of foot problems, including dry skin. When your blood sugar levels are high, your body loses fluid which results in dry skin. Dry skin can also occur in diabetic patients due to neuropathy because the nerves are unable to send signals to the legs and feet that they need to sweat.

Can diabetic foot be cured?

Unfortunately, there's no cure for diabetic neuropathy. But you can take steps to slow the progression of this disease. Your doctor will likely recommend pain medication to help alleviate nerve pain. For mild nerve pain, you can take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

What helps diabetic wounds heal faster?

A common diet recommendation for people living with diabetes is less carbohydrates and more protein. That's because if you're eating foods with less sugar and lower glycemic levels, it's a lot easier to keep blood sugar levels in check. Eating more protein has an added advantage – it can help wounds heal more quickly.

What part of the foot hurts with diabetes?

When you have diabetes, high glucose levels in the blood can damage nerves and blood vessels. Because the nerves and blood vessels supplying the feet are so long and delicate, the feet — and especially the toes — often get affected first.

Can diabetics soak feet in Epsom salt?

Epsom salt is a mineral compound with many different uses, but people with diabetes should avoid using it. No form of foot soak is appropriate for individuals with diabetes. People use Epsom salt as a home remedy for various health issues.

Should diabetics soak in Epsom salt?

Typically, epsom salt soaks are not recommended for people with diabetes. The primary reason is that such soaks can dry out the feet. When the skin is dry it is more vulnerable to cracking and chafing, which can lead to skin lesions and wounds, which if not properly attended to can lead to ulcerations.

Should you soak a diabetic foot?

Also, don't soak your feet—that can dry your skin. Calluses occur more often and build up faster on the feet of people with diabetes. This is because there are high-pressure areas under the foot. Too much callus may mean that you will need therapeutic shoes and inserts.

Can diabetics soak their feet in apple cider vinegar?

It is possible for vinegar to irritate already inflamed skin. Vinegar is also not appropriate for treating wounds on the foot. People who have diabetes should avoid using vinegar for foot problems.

What is the thickest skin on the bottom of the foot?

The skin on the bottom of the feet is the thickest, toughest skin anywhere on the body and must stand up to the pressure of weight bearing every day. As such, this skin is highly susceptible to becoming dry, calloused and cracked. Application of a good, thick over the counter moisturizing cream, such as eucerin or lubriderm, ...

What is the best way to moisturize dry feet?

One of the most common questions from patients we deal with on an everyday basis is "What's good to put on my dry feet?" Many patients swear that rubbing vaseline on their feet is the best option. Vaseline was created to be a skin protectant. This means it was designed to protect skin in areas which might be subject to friction or irritation. Due to its thick, ointment like consistency it tends to sit on the surface of the skin, rather than penetrating through the skin to increase moisture content. This means that it is not usually the best choice to moisturize dry skin. It may have some limited application to seal and protect the skin when deep cracks develop, but should not be used on a regular basis.

Does ointment help dry skin?

This means that it is not usually the best choice to moisturize dry skin.

What to do for dry feet?

So what can patients do for dry feet? A good thick moisturizer cream can help , like Lubriderm or Eucerin, they can impart a lot of moisture to dry feet. These products are most effective when applied after bathing and right before going to bed. But don’t slather the whole foot, take care to avoid applying moisturizers between toes, as this can lead to excessive moisture in between toes, an ideal environment for fungus growth. If this is still not enough to help heal dry feet you may want to visit your podiatrist, they can prescribe moisturizers that can be more effective than over the counter products.

What is the best product for feet?

Vaseline is a petroleum by-product and it certainly does have many properties that can be very helpful for your feet. It is slick and can be used to help keep body parts from rubbing and becoming irritated. It is a favorite of distance runners for its ability to prevent blisters. All of this is very helpful, but many patients are using petroleum jelly for a totally different purpose; moisturizing their feet. Unfortunately because of it’s thick oily consistency it sits on top of skin and does not get absorbed. While it does not impart any moisture on the foot it can be used on dry, cracked heels to seal the skin and prevent any more damage and moisture loss.

What is the name of the jelly that is used to treat feet?

In this weeks blog post we will be discussing a product that may be in many patients everyday foot health routine, petroleum jelly, better known by its brand name, Vaseline. Vaseline is a petroleum by-product and it certainly does have many properties that can be very helpful for your feet.

How long should diabetics soak their feet in water?

If circulation is impaired, do not remain in the cold for more than twenty minutes at a time. Do not soak your feet in water for more than 3–4 minutes, even if so instructed by a physician.

What temperature should water be?

Water temperature should be less than 92°F, as even this temperature can cause burns when circulation is impaired. A bath thermometer is suggested. Wear warm socks and shoes of adequate size when outside in cold weather. It is wise for all diabetics to have the circulation in their feet measured every few years.

What to do if your toenails are pointed?

If the corners of your nails are pointed, you can file them with an emery board or have someone else trim them. If you have thickened toenails, ask your physician to have clippings tested for fungal infection. If infection is present, he should prescribe Tincture of Fungoid.

How often should you put instructions in tickler?

Put a copy of these instructions in your tickler file so that you can reread them every few months. Eventually, you should know them by heart.

How to protect your feet from water?

If you swim regularly for exercise, before getting in the water, rub petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on your feet to protect them from the water. After leaving the water, remove the petroleum jelly with a towel. Do not put adhesive tape or other adhesive products like corn plasters in contact with your feet.

Can diabetics have ulcers?

The incidence of limb-threatening ulcerations in diabetics is very high, affecting approximately one in six to seven patients. Nonhealing “diabetic” ulcers are the major cause of leg, foot, and toe amputations in this country, after traumatic injuries such as those occurring in motor vehicle accidents. These ulcerations do not occur spontaneously; they are always preceded by gradual or sudden injury to the skin by some external factor. Preventing such injuries can prevent their sad consequences.

How to keep feet warm?

Keep feet away from heat. Therefore no heating pads, hot water bottles, or electric blankets. Do not place feet near sources of warmth such as radiators or fireplaces. Baths and showers should feel cool—not even lukewarm. Temperature should be estimated with your hand or a bath thermometer, not with your feet. Water temperature should be less than 92°F, as even this temperature can cause burns when circulation is impaired. A bath thermometer is suggested.

What is the thickest skin on the bottom of the foot?

The skin on the bottom of the feet is the thickest, toughest skin anywhere on the body and must stand up to the pressure of weight bearing every day. As such, this skin is highly susceptible to becoming dry, calloused and cracked. Application of a good, thick over the counter moisturizing cream, such as eucerin or lubriderm, ...

What is the best way to moisturize dry feet?

One of the most common questions from patients we deal with on an everyday basis is "What's good to put on my dry feet?" Many patients swear that rubbing vaseline on their feet is the best option. Vaseline was created to be a skin protectant. This means it was designed to protect skin in areas which might be subject to friction or irritation. Due to its thick, ointment like consistency it tends to sit on the surface of the skin, rather than penetrating through the skin to increase moisture content. This means that it is not usually the best choice to moisturize dry skin. It may have some limited application to seal and protect the skin when deep cracks develop, but should not be used on a regular basis.

Does ointment help dry skin?

This means that it is not usually the best choice to moisturize dry skin.

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