If you have diabetes, you may well suffer from dry feet, causing the skin to peel and crack. Diabetes and dry feet commonly go hand-in-glove (or should that be foot-in-shoe?). Diabetes-related nerve damage can reduce sweating in your feet, leaving the skin dry and more prone to becoming hard or cracked.
There are several things that you can do to ensure and maintain healthy skin on your feet…
Wash And Dry Carefully
For individuals living with diabetes, the practice of washing feet daily plays a crucial role in preventing complications. It’s recommended to use a mild, neutral soap, which is gentle on the skin and less likely to cause irritation. This simple, yet effective diabetic foot care routine helps in maintaining the integrity of your skin, reducing the risk of infections.
The temperature of the water should be warm but not hot. Hot water can exacerbate skin dryness and may cause unnoticed burns due to diabetic neuropathy. Warm water, on the other hand, is soothing and effective in cleaning without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
When washing, pay special attention to the entire foot area, including the often-neglected regions such as the soles and the spaces between the toes. This thorough cleansing is crucial in diabetic foot hygiene, as it removes dirt and bacteria, reducing the risk of infections like athlete’s foot, which can have more severe implications for diabetic individuals.
After washing, it’s essential to dry your feet attentively, focusing on every area, especially between the toes. Moisture trapped in these areas can create a breeding ground for fungal infections. Use a soft, clean towel and pat your feet gently rather than rubbing vigorously.
Use A Moisturising Lotion
There are many moisturising lotions available for dry skin, and your podiatrist or healthcare team can advise you if you are unsure what is suitable. The lotion will help to keep your skin soft and moisturised. Don’t put the lotion between your toes, as extra moisture there can cause problems.
Apply moisturiser after washing and gently drying your feet. Regular application is important, particularly if your feet are persistently dry. Emollients can help keep the skin hydrated, and urea-based products can be particularly useful for dry or hardened skin.
While using a moisturising lotion, regularly monitor your feet for any changes, such as increased dryness, redness, cracks or broken skin. If your skin is getting worse rather than better, simply applying more moisturiser may not address the underlying problem.
Check Your Feet Every Day
If you have diabetes, checking your feet every day is one of the most important habits you can develop. Nerve damage can reduce sensation, which means you may not always feel a small injury, crack or blister when it develops.
Look at the tops and soles of your feet, your heels and between your toes. Pay attention to new areas of dry, flaky or peeling skin, cracks, blisters, redness, swelling, changes in colour or temperature, and any break in the skin. If you struggle to see the soles of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone to help.
What If The Skin On Your Feet Is Peeling?
Diabetes peeling feet and flaky skin are closely associated in search, but peeling skin does not automatically mean that diabetes itself is causing the problem.
Very dry skin can flake and peel, but persistent peeling can also have other causes. Athlete’s foot, for example, can cause flaky, peeling or cracked skin, particularly between the toes or across the soles of the feet.
If the peeling is persistent, itchy, sore, red, cracked or affecting the skin between your toes, get it assessed rather than assuming that moisturiser alone will fix it.
Think Carefully About Your Shoe Choices
People with diabetes are advised not to walk around barefoot, because small cuts and abrasions can lead to far more serious conditions. However, your feet won’t be happy spending all of their time stuffed into shoes. Choose footwear that protects your feet without rubbing or creating unnecessary pressure.
When choosing shoes, it’s essential for those with diabetes to look for options that combine comfort and protection. Ideally, footwear should have enough room around the toes and should not squeeze, rub or create pressure points.
Before putting your shoes on, check inside them for stones, damaged lining or anything else that could rub against the foot. New shoes should be worn for short periods initially so you can check that they remain comfortable and do not cause rubbing.
The right shoes are an important part of looking after diabetic feet, particularly if dry or cracked skin is already vulnerable to further damage.
Know When To Get Professional Help
If you have diabetes, you should have your feet assessed when diabetes is diagnosed and at least once a year afterwards as part of your diabetes care. If your assessment shows that you are at moderate or high risk of developing a diabetic foot problem, you may need more frequent specialist review based on your individual risk.
Routine podiatry can help with persistent dry or cracked skin, hard skin, pressure areas and other problems that you may struggle to manage safely yourself. At Northwich Foot Clinic, our podiatry and footcare service can also include checks of circulation and sensation for people with diabetes.
However, some changes should not simply wait for a routine podiatry appointment. A new wound, ulcer, infection, unexplained hot or swollen foot or significant change in colour can indicate an active diabetic foot problem and needs prompt medical assessment.
Cracked Heels And Diabetes: Why Dry Skin Can Split
Cracked heels can be uncomfortable at the best of times, but for people living with diabetes, they can present a more serious concern.
One reason cracked heels and diabetes are commonly linked is neuropathy. Nerve damage can reduce sweating in the feet, leaving the skin dry, hard and more likely to split. Reduced circulation can create an additional problem because wounds may then take longer to heal.
Pressure also matters. As dry skin around the heel becomes thicker and less flexible, pressure from standing and walking can encourage the skin to split. Ill-fitting shoes can create further rubbing or pressure on already vulnerable skin.
If you’ve noticed the skin on your heels becoming dry or splitting, it’s important to take action sooner rather than later. Moisturise regularly, avoid picking or cutting the hard skin yourself and check the cracks daily for any change.
A superficial crack and an open wound are not the same thing. If a crack becomes deeper, starts bleeding, develops redness, warmth, swelling or discharge, or turns into a wound that isn’t healing, seek prompt medical advice rather than simply continuing to treat it as dry skin.
Diabetes And Dry Feet? Here’s What You Shouldn’t Do…
If you’re suffering from diabetes and dry feet, and need further advice, it’s important to get professional insights. Removing dry skin on your feet often includes using harsh chemicals or metal files, and you may be tempted to do this yourself. If you have diabetes, or suspect that you might, you should avoid aggressive methods that risk cutting or damaging the skin.
Do not use blades to remove hard skin, and avoid corn plasters, creams or sprays designed to remove corns or verrucas. These products and methods can damage healthy skin as well as the area you are trying to treat.
Persistent dry skin can also lead to cracks and breaks in the skin, so always make sure that you raise concerns if the problem is not improving. Wider diabetic foot care includes knowing which changes you can safely manage yourself and which need professional assessment.
At Northwich Foot Clinic, our podiatrists can help with persistent dry skin, cracked heels and hard skin, as well as checking for other changes that may be affecting the health of your feet. If your dry feet are becoming difficult to manage, you can book an appointment online.
