troubles with your feet

[liz32]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone out there has any relevant info about diabetes and foot care. I've heard all these horror stories about diabetics getting their feet amputated and my nurse said that I wasn't to go bare foot on the beach and not to wear sandle, etc. Is that for every diabetic or just those who won't or can't control their sugars. I just started wearing socks (in the winter) last year (i'm32) and love being bare foot in the spring, summer and fall. I guess I want to know if I have to give it up or what? The thought of getting any part of me amputated is horrifying. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks
Liz

[HeatherP]

Hi Liz,

The rules apply for all of us - never go barefoot, even in your own house. I do wear flip flops however. Make sure you look at your feet every day (including the bottoms) and report any problems to the doc asap. If you take proper care of your tootsies, and you control your sugars you will significantly reduce your chances of losing them.

[nantomsuethom]

Is there more of a concern if you have signs or have neuropathy or is it always a concern.

Thomas has a nasty cut on his foot. He must have gotten it over the weekend when we went camping. He didn't show me until Wednesday. Of course by then it was infected and had a red streak going up his foot. It looks much better now, no more streak. But I was a little worried at first.

[HeatherP]

It's always a concern, but even more so when there are issues with nerve damage and blood flow, etc.

Nancy, I don't want to alarm you, but streaking can be a sign of a serious infection - have you seen the doc?

[Dewey]

Is there more of a concern if you have signs or have neuropathy or is it always a concern.

Thomas has a nasty cut on his foot. He must have gotten it over the weekend when we went camping. He didn't show me until Wednesday. Of course by then it was infected and had a red streak going up his foot. It looks much better now, no more streak. But I was a little worried at first.Sorry to hear that, Nancy. :eek: Hope Thomas is ok, and that he heals quickly!
When I was younger (can't tell us kids nothing...lol ;) :rolleyes: ), I was running out to my pool, and on the way, the screen door caught my foot...got a nasty cut on it, but after mom bandaged it and I put on a sock, I ran back out to the pool & jumped in! :D I got lucky in that it didn't get infected or anything, but keeping any wound clean and bandaged always provides that extra bit of protection. However, since, I've not really gone barefoot much (other than when swimming in pools and the like...lol).

[nantomsuethom]

I didn't take him to the doctor. I marked the top of the streak. If it had progressed after I treated it I would have taken him in the morning. He showed me Wed. night.
I had him soak his foot in hot water for about 30 min. then I cleaned it really good and bandaged with antibiotic ointment.
The streak was gone by last night.

[nantomsuethom]

Thanks Dewey. He is doing better. The cut doesn't look infected anymore, just bruised. Probably from me trying to get the funk out.

[HeatherP]

Glad he's okay - I'd have been in the ER with that.

[nantomsuethom]

Thanks Heather.
I am a pediatric (sorta) nurse, so that helps.

[HeatherP]

Ahhhhhhhh..

[pbmax]

Hey Liz, Glad he's ok...

I think we have all been told the same basic inf.. I know the nurse told me to never go barefoot period even at the beach to ware wave runners.. the lil slip on wet shoes for creeks and such.. and some kind slipper that was not a flip flop style at home... Something that protected my feet well and socks are not enough...Has to be something to protect against stabing objects (3yr olds choo choos) as well as cuts.I hate it... I can't stand to wear socks
inside, let alone shoes... I love digging my toes in the carpet... I told my wife last night I need to strap a peace of shag to the lazy boy so I can digg my feet in when kicking back. :D

I was also told by the nurse when I had toe nail fixed a few yrs back to never soak your feet in water over 120deg as the nerves are more sensitive there and you can damage them without knowing it till it's to late...

Again she got me, I used to have the hot water heater on 130 and would be all hot before I get out of the shower, as it's wonderfull way to steam my sinus's.. in the shower... 5 min of that and I can breath again even in the spring... (poor mans steam room :D )

[liz32]

thanks for all the info guys. I geuss that I really will have to be carefull. This is going to be harder than changing my diet. We live 20 minutes from the beach and I love walking in the sand. Geuss I'll have to get those ugly water slippers..won't that look cute! Maybe my daughter and I can get matching pairs!
Glad to hear that Thomas is OK. I too would have probably run to the emerg. I never would have thaught to mark the line. A great idea to remember for the kids.
Can we treat cuts and the like ourselves or should we be seen by the doc? When is it a serious thing? I don't know about you guys but it's usually a four week wait for my GP so the only other option is emerg and that's a long, boring wait too! Any opions will be appreciated. Thanks! :)

[nantomsuethom]

I have a pair of the water shoes. They are not the prettiest shoes, but I cant stand the feeling of sand or muck on my feet when we go out on our boat. I wear them to the water park too because the sidewalks are so darn hot.

I think it would be serious enough to go to the doctor if after a day of self treating it looks worse- red around the cut, hot to the touch and/or green pus.
My daughter does not have diabetes. I treated an infected bug bite on her neck (about 9 yrs ago) for 2 days and ended up going to the doctor and she had to get a shot of antibiotics.
Too bad we have to wait so long to see our docs or go to the emerg. room. We do have walk in clinics here though. Most of the time its just as bad as the wait in the e.r.

[daddyo]

Go to the doc. This is from somebody that's had cronic foot ulcers for over five years now. All because I did'nt pay enough attention to them before. A small cut can become a big problem, and hard to get rid of, I go in June for the third time to get a skin gragh to help heal this problem, But thank GOD I still have both of my feet, The doc's wanted one two years ago, but I would'nt let them have it.

[liz32]

I'll definately go to the docs quickly. What is a foot ulcer? Is it similar to gastric ulcers only on your feet? I will also start looking at my feet daily. It hasn't really been a priority up until now. However, thanks to all of you it definately will be! I'm so glad I found this site. It's nice to hear from other diabetics not just docs and nurses who don't have it. You guys are definately practical! Thanks

[camjen1]

I love digging my toes in the carpet... I told my wife last night I need to strap a peace of shag to the lazy boy so I can digg my feet in when kicking back. :D



What!!!! ROTFLMAO

[daddyo]

I'll definately go to the docs quickly. What is a foot ulcer? Is it similar to gastric ulcers only on your feet? I will also start looking at my feet daily. It hasn't really been a priority up until now. However, thanks to all of you it definately will be! I'm so glad I found this site. It's nice to hear from other diabetics not just docs and nurses who don't have it. You guys are definately practical! Thanks


In a nut shell, a foot ulcer is a wound that won't heal. Mine are caused by pressure from high arch's, and severe neorapathy in my feet and legs. (bad control over a number of years) I develop caluoses on my feet, they inturn rub against the bones of your feet and develop a sore, because I can't feel anything in my feet, A long day on them and there you go, foot ulcer. They first started when I stepped on a nail and did not notice till 8 hours later when my boot's would not come off, they were nailed on. With neoropathy you just don't know, until it's too late. That's why docs recomend you check your feet and check them often. I nolonger feel the damage I do to them on a daily basis, But they are still atached. :thumbsup:

[nantomsuethom]

That has to be a horrible feeling. I have to agree that you should go to the doctor if you have ulcers. And definetly check your feet often if you have neuropathy. Thomas doesn't usually check his feet, but will not clip his own toenails anymore. After this week I think he will pay closer attention to his feet though.

[daddyo]

That has to be a horrible feeling. I have to agree that you should go to the doctor if you have ulcers. And definetly check your feet often if you have neuropathy. Thomas doesn't usually check his feet, but will not clip his own toenails anymore. After this week I think he will pay closer attention to his feet though.


Nancy; you do so, because you think you know, But you realy don't know until you look. Trust me, the bottom of your foot is the last place you look, If you don't feel it why bother you think. Wrong answer. Check, Check, Check !

[camjen1]

This is one of those issues that I tell myself that it will not ever happen to me but maybe one of you guys can tell me I told you so when I am hobbling on one foot. If it wasn't for winter I wouldn't ever wear shoes.

The worst part is I live on a lake and when summer hits I am always on the deck and pier without shoes. By the end of the day I have about 10 splinters in each foot. I know I know everyone is waiting in line to smack me. I guess I will change my ways as I am young and couldn't think about living without my feet.

[KickStart101]

Hi Liz: Although I admittedly did run around most of the spring, summer
and fall without mishap as a youngster(we weren't told any different). I
wouldn't allow my child if they were Diabetic to do it. A child is not responsible and may not even notice. A cut may or may not get infected.
My older Brother's girlfriend had broken a glass and she thought she had gotten all the pieces. But while at the table he stepped on a piece she had missed(he was wearing socks but 2 of his toes were numb so he didn't feel it).
He didn't notice 'til 2 1/2 days later that his toe was badly infected. He almost lost that one.
After a shower/bath put a fragrance free lotion on your feet(not much in between the toes since it can cause fungal growth)and let them air-dry. Use
a fine file to remove dead skin while in the shower. Cut toenails straight
across not curved, to prevent ingrown toenails. Just nip the points at each end of each nail to to smooth it. Do wear those little rubber slickers on your feet when swimming at the beach(so you don't cut your feet on shells, etc.)
and at pools(since you can easily get the plantars warts in damp moist areas. Been there done that, not fun. You can also get them walking bearfoot on lawns where dogs pee or shared showers, etc.). Check your feet daily, ya never know what has disturbed them. I have Diabetes and Rheumatoid so I have to wear socks and shows all day, but i do remove them every hour to air out. Not feasible at the office, I know. All I can think of at the moment. If you can't see all of your foot surface, get a mirror and someone else to spot any abnormalities. I always wore sandals but be aware of rough edges. :)

[Sharon Lambkin]

Diabetic - 3 years - Type 2 -
About 6 months ago my feet started hurting - no places, not red, just pain. Especially on the balls of my feet. My sugars are on the A1c a 7 and daily testing - 109 - 140 -

I was taking my medicine all at once in the mornings 3 pills 500 mg each - they were not digesting - I scattered them out during the day and now my figures are lower.

I have noticed arthritis in the rest of the body - I really wonder if the pain in my feet is from the diabetes or the arthritis.

Doctor just says if there is no discoloration and you have feeling they are ok.

Anyone else have the problem of sorting out which pain is which.

Also here is something I did years ago before I knew I had diabetes - my feet would crack and have red streaks up the legs - I used the old time remedy of putting a piece of raw bacon on the spot with a bandaid overnight and by morning the streak would be gone. If you could keep the dog away from your foot I guess the salt in the bacon pulled the poison out. I did that for years - but I no longer have the cracks in my feet.

[Dode]

Good Morning all, I agree that when it comes to your feet PLEASE take as much care as you can. My mother was a diabetic who ended up with an amputation of her leg above the knee. This happened back in 1984 and mainly because she was not educated about diabetes and what it could do. My mother was a large women--300+ lbs. and the doctor would not bother with her. I sure wish I knew then what I know now. When she first had an ulcer it was on her tailbone. Yes she was a fairly immobile person and it took its toll. The doctor told us that we would never heal the ulcer and that it would probably take her life , but he would--if we wanted-- have the health nurse come in once a day and dress it --to make mom more comfortable---. Well---- anyway we talked to the nurse and she told us more about diabetes that we had ever known before. We started with the nurse coming in in the morning and doing a dressing change, my Aunt came in at noon and did it all over and I when in in the evening and did it all over again. This when on for 3 months but we did get it healed. Then later she got an uncer on her foot . Again after a lot of work we got it healed but then a year later she got another foot ulcer and because of the doctors lack of concern ,and moms not allowing us to take her to another doctor the leg got much worse and started to die on the inside. I realize that I should have done more in the first place to learn more about the dx when it first happened but I had 5 little kids to look after and the doctor told us that old age would take her before diabetes would. Don't ever believe them if they say anything like that to you.
Sorry for being so long winded but I hope that this may help to make everyone realize that care is so important.

[KickStart101]

I have noticed arthritis in the rest of the body - I really wonder if the pain in my feet is from the diabetes or the arthritis.

Hi Sharon: Have you been to a Rheumatologist? They deal with all
types of Arthritis. You say you have Arthritis in the rest of your body...how do you know? If you have it in the rest of your body, then it wouldn't be a surprise to have it in your feet would it? Years after having Rheumatoid,
the arches in both of my feet fell. I had 69 joints flaring at the same time, I didn't even notice the pain in my feet. The physiotherapists who came over to do my monthly check-up and exercises were amazed I could walk. Hey, ya get used to it. At other times they do really hurt though. And it ain't Diabetes. Get yourself checked by a Rheumy please. Rheumatoid is an auto-immune Disease like Diabetes Type 1 and does attack the heart if it is not under control. :( My feet underneath are a pink colour. But I still have Rheumatoid. Diabetes-wise my feet are fine.

[Dode]

Didn't mention that the amputation was what caused her death, as the stress and a blood clot from the surgery was more than she could handle.

[HeatherP]

Dode, I'm so sorry about how your mother died.

Bad doctors are the absolute WORST!

[Dode]

Thanks HeatherP, At times I still feel guilty about not learning more about diabetes before this happened to her. I have certainly learned alot since then and I know I will still learn more in the days to come. ;)