How to Choose Diabetes Shoes
What You Need to Know About Diabetic Shoes
Many people with diabetes benefit by using
specially-crafted diabetes shoes, especially if they suffer from a loss
of sensation in their feet. Diabetes shoes are designed to be soft,
comfortable, and custom fitted to the feet, which many diabetics may not feel after they lose foot sensation.
Many diabetics develop a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
When someone has peripheral neuropathy, they lose feeling in their
extremities, including their feet, legs, and even hands. Because they
suffer from a loss of feeling in these extremities, they can be unaware
when their shoes rub, cut, or squeeze their feet. In such a situation,
the diabetic person may unknowingly be injured by ill-fitting shoes.
A diabetes shoe tends to provide more room for the foot and for
orthotic inserts than a normal shoe. Diabetes shoes tend to be wider
and deeper than most other shoes and can be fitted with comfortable
insoles.
In most cases, diabetics will have shoes custom made in order to
ensure that the shoe distributes weight properly and fits the foot
perfectly. Having a custom-made shoe can prevent rubbing, chafing, and
loss of circulation to the foot that a person with diabetes may not notice because
of the loss of sensation in the foot.
In addition to being specialty-crafted for the diabetic individual, diabetes shoes also tend to be manufactured with breathable fibers,
such as fabric or netting, so that the foot has healthy air
circulation. Good air circulation allows the skin to breathe, which
helps to prevent pressure ulcers and increases blood circulation.
- Look for fabrics that “breathe,” such as canvas or even sandals.
Breathable fibers will prevent your foot from sweating, swelling, and
chafing.
- The shoes should be deep enough to accommodate an orthotic insert and wide enough to prevent pinching.
- Avoid shoes that have interior seams, which may rub against the skin and cause chafing.
- The toe box in the front of the shoe needs to be roomy enough so that you can wiggle your toes.
- Elastic in the shoes may also help to prevent the shoe from sliding around on the foot while holding it comfortably in place.
For the Finest Selection of Comfortable and Fashionable Diabetes Shoes
Women’s Dress Shoe Men’s Casual Shoe
Click Here For the Complete Assortment
Diabetes Care – Giving Your Feet a Hand
People with diabetes are more prone to foot pain due to an increased risk of damage to nerves and blood vessels. You can help prevent these problems with the following tips:
- Wash your feet in warm water with mild soap every day, but don‘t soak them. Dry them well, especially between your toes.
- Check your feet every day for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or any other problem. Call your doctor if
healing doesn’t start after one day.
- If your skin is dry, rub lotion on your feet after you wash and dry them. Do not put lotion between your toes.
- Gently file corns and calluses with an emery board or pumice stone (move it in only one direction). Do this after your bath or shower, when the skin is soft.
- Trim your toenails once a week or when needed.
Cut them with a nail clipper straight across, then smooth the edges
with an emery board. If you can’t see or reach them, ask a family
member or your health care team for help.
- Always wear slippers or shoes to protect your feet from injuries. Don’t wear sandals and don’t walk barefoot, even around the house.
- Always wear socks or stockings to avoid blisters. Choose a pair that fits your feet well and has soft elastic.
- Wear shoes that fit well. Shop for shoes at the
end of the day when your feet are bigger. Break in shoes slowly. Wear
them 1 to 2 hours each day for the first few weeks.
If you’re starting a walking program (see Type Free eNewsletter #3), get off on the right foot by buying a pair of walking shoes that fit properly. Here’s how:
- Bring your walking socks when you shop for shoes.
- Look for shoes that are wide enough that your toes can move
freely. There should be about a half inch between your toes and the end
of the shoe. Your heel should not slip, and the shoe should not pinch
or bind, especially across the arch or ball of your foot.
- Walking shoes should have a relatively flat heel and should be flexible enough that you can bend and twist them.
- Pick a shoe that is lightweight and breathable.
- Make sure shoes feel great when you put them on. Walking shoes shouldn’t have to be worn in.
NDEP
Here is a podcast offering tips on foot care to prevent complications, such as foot ulcers and amputation: Healthy Feet are Happy Feet.
This podcast is 2 minutes and 23 seconds long. It’s brought to you
compliments of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the
National Diabetes Education Program.
