How to properly care for athletes’ feet with diabetes?
Proper cleaning, deep moisturizing, and risk avoidance are important measures.
For those of us who love sports and face the additional challenge of living with diabetes, taking care of our feet becomes a task of utmost importance. We know that any complication in this area can affect our ability to continue enjoying our favorite activities.
That’s why understanding how to protect our feet is essential to keep us active and healthy. With that in mind, this time we have prepared a series of practical recommendations on how to prevent any problems before, during, and after engaging in your sports activities:
Control your blood sugar levels
Let’s start with the basics: blood sugar control. As you know, maintaining stable blood sugar levels is the cornerstone for preventing complications, including skin problems. Furthermore, stability in sugar levels benefits our overall health, helping us feel more energetic when exercising.
However, foot care related to diabetes also promotes better blood circulation, which is crucial to avoid neuropathy and retinopathy issues, two factors that increase the risk of infections caused by sports-related injuries.
Ensure proper daily hygiene
Daily foot washing is a practice that should not be overlooked. For this, it is ideal to avoid hot water at all costs and instead use warm water and mild soap to clean them gently.
Subsequently, you must ensure that they are completely and deeply dried, especially between the toes. You can even allocate some time to let them air out and dry naturally. Remember that moisture is the ideal environment for the development of fungi and bacteria, something we want to avoid.
Implement a comprehensive daily care routine
After your hygiene routine, it is important to properly and deeply moisturize your feet using specialized products such as diabetic foot cream, which contains natural ingredients to moisturize the skin of the feet that tend to become rough due to exercise.
Additionally, you can take this opportunity to inspect your feet daily, after your exercise routine, for any signs of injuries, inflammation, calluses, blisters, or changes in coloration. Early detection of problems is an opportunity to address them before they become serious complications.
Use proper and fitting footwear
Proper footwear is a crucial factor in foot care for diabetic athletes. Look for specific sports shoes for the physical activity you engage in, but also make sure they fit correctly and provide good support. We suggest considering the following measures:
Avoid internal seams that may cause friction and worn-out soles that do not provide the necessary support and may cause calluses or blisters. Check your footwear daily, before each use, to ensure that the inner part is smooth and soft, and discard any elements that may hurt you or cause friction and chafing.
Opt for comfortable socks
Do not underestimate the power of good socks. Choose those without seams that allow proper circulation and do not compress the foot, but also avoid loose garments that may cause friction. Investing in quality socks can make a difference in preventing blisters and skin injuries.
In this regard, it is advisable to prioritize those made of cotton, which allow proper ventilation to keep your feet as dry as possible. Similarly, you should aim to change them when you notice excessive moisture. This will prevent any annoying chafing or friction.
Constant hydration
Skin hydration is fundamental, especially for diabetic athletes. In this sense, it is recommended to monitor the amount of water you intake to prevent your skin from suffering the consequences of dehydration.
Furthermore, regularly apply a moisturizing cream on the top of your feet, avoiding the spaces between the toes. Seek products containing ingredients such as urea, shea butter, natural avocado oils, and mint, which penetrate deeply to moisturize and soften even the toughest skin.
Safe nail cutting
Nail cutting is another important aspect of foot care. Cut the nails straight and not too short; also, make sure to file the tips to avoid sharp edges that may cause injuries. If you have difficulty doing it yourself, do not hesitate to consult a podiatrist for professional help.
Adjust your exercise routine gradually
For diabetic athletes, increasing the intensity and duration of exercise should be a gradual process. Pay attention to any signs of pain or discomfort in your feet during exercise, and adjust your routine as needed. Listening to your body is essential to avoid injuries.
Additional recommendations
In addition to the above points, here are some additional measures to take care of your feet and avoid complications.
- Schedule regular foot check-ups with a specialist to detect and prevent problems.
- If you develop a blister, do not pop it. Cover it with a sterile dressing and seek medical attention if you see that it does not heal or becomes infected.
- Always choose dermatological products for the care and maintenance of your feet, such as urea cream for feet.
- Consider using custom insoles to resolve biomechanical problems and improve pressure distribution on the foot.
- Avoid walking barefoot, in the gym, or even at home, to protect your feet from injuries.
- Clean and cover any wound, no matter how small, and avoid using irritating products such as alcohol or iodine.
Conclusion
Taking care of your feet is essential for diabetic athletes. With a combination of daily attention, proper footwear, and constant vigilance, we can keep our feet healthy and continue enjoying our favorite activities. Remember that your feet are your foundation, so take good care of them and keep moving!
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