Dry cracked and peeling skin on your feet and heals is often because of two main causative factors. A daily examination and foot care routine therefore is a basic "must do" to prevent the build-up of complications which can easily lead to major problems for any diabetic.
Why Do My Feet And Heels Become So Dry
PRESSURE SORES STAGES
There is two main reasons how most feet problems begin for a diabetic in the early stages. The first reason is because of the reduction or limited amount of blood flow which is going to the extremities. Slow but consistent nerve damage to the extremities reduces the amount of nourishment from your blood which is getting to the affected area.
Your blood is the carrier of all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients which circulates throughout your body. When you cut off or restrict this flow to any area, it does result in a gradual loss of health to that particular area.
Next, because your feet are now receiving reduced blood flow, the combination of walking and standing continually makes your skin expand and contract just from the pressure changes all day long. This continuous stretching of the already weakened skin (it is hardening, dry, usually cracked and possibly showing open wounds), has become less pliable which leads to actual open sores. On the heels, these are called heel fissures. Without care, pain, bleeding and then infection will be your final result.
Suggestions For Daily Foot Care
Preventing cracked skin and heel fissures is much easier than trying to heal them. Try the following techniques during your daily foot care routine to keep your feet in good condition:
exercise your feet regularly because this keeps the blood flowing to this area. You don't even have to get out of a chair for this one. Just dance your feet on the floor, pick up your leg and do feet circles and stretches. Any movement of your foot and ankles is called exercise. wash and completely dry your feet daily, spot clean them as needed. Avoid going barefoot, especially if you already have cracked skin apply a moisturizer all over both feet daily gently exfoliate with a soft bristle brush and scrub lightly as needed never use hot water for a foot bath. Alternate between warm and cool water for soothing relief to your feet. Be sure to dry well when your foot bath is finished.
Tips For Soothing Relief
Keeping your skin moisturized daily is the #1 factor in avoiding many foot problems. The easiest way to do this - while you sleep!
Pick a good quality oil (cooking oils are good moisturizers also.) Almond oil or olive oil and a clean pair of all cotton white socks are the only equipment you need. Apply the oil liberally to the entire foot, slide on the sock and go to bed and get your 7-8 hours of sleep. Follow this routine daily and you will solve more than one-half the battle of maintaining good soft supple skin. Alternatively, you can use lanolin, cocoa butter (doesn't that sound great - smear yourself with chocolate), or pure coconut oil. Do not use baby oil or vaseline types of products. These do not soak into the skin, they just stay on the top of the skin until you wash it off. A milk and honey foot soak is a hand-me-down recipe from former generations. Add two cups of milk to one cup of honey into a foot basin and gently massage this mixture into your skin for 15 minutes daily. Add your hands, elbows, dry patches on your face or skin also for a continuous beauty regimen. Rinse each are off with warm water and dry. Soak your feet in lemon juice for 10 minutes daily. Mash up two over-ripe bananas and apply to the affected areas daily for a 10 minute session. Rinse your foot clean with warm water and dry. This one can be done daily or only as needed.
So although some of these may sound a little dumb or weird, each of the remedies do have the nutritional qualities your feet are losing because of the lack of blood flow circulating to your feet. So with time and attention given daily to your feet, preventing the complications of diabetes can effectively be a whole lot easier and a lot more cost effective to your future health.
Diabetic Foot Care - Soothe and Heal Dry Cracked Skin PRESSURE SORES STAGES
No comments:
Post a Comment