Why should diabetics not soak their feet for a long time?

In our daily life, a foot bath is a very common way to relax. But for people with diabetes, soaking your feet for long periods of time may not be a good idea. Why is this?

Why is it not advisable for people with diabetes to soak their feet for a long time?

Diabetes, a disease that seems to have nothing to do with foot bathing, is actually closely related to foot health. Due to the effects of diabetes, patients may have damage to their nerve endings, resulting in a loss of sensation in their feet. This prevents patients from accurately sensing temperature, pain, or other abnormalities in their feet.

Foot complications and diabetes:

Imagine that when a diabetic patient soaks their feet for a long time, the nerves in their feet may have been damaged and cannot accurately communicate temperature changes to the brain. This means they may not be able to sense the temperature of water that is too hot, resulting in burns. Also, because the nerves are damaged, the wound may not heal properly, increasing the risk of infection and complications. Soaking your feet for a long time will leave the skin of your feet in a moist environment, providing a breeding ground for bacteria to grow. For people with diabetes, their immunity may be relatively low and they may be more susceptible to infections. To make matters worse, poor blood circulation can also affect the speed of wound healing. It's like a vicious cycle: wounds are harder to heal and more susceptible to infection, which in turn increases blood sugar levels. Once the infection spreads, it may even lead to serious consequences such as amputation.

How should diabetics take care of their feet?

It is essential for people with diabetes to have their feet checked regularly. Because of nerve damage, patients may not be able to detect small cuts or cracks. Through regular inspections, these problems can be discovered and dealt with in time. Keeping your feet dry is also key. Using a desiccant or moisture absorbent can help keep your feet dry and reduce the chance of bacterial growth. While foot soaks are a form of relaxation for many people, for people with diabetes, prolonged foot soaks may pose unnecessary risks. With proper foot care and attention, people with diabetes can better protect their feet and reduce the risk of complications. Soaking your feet may sound like a common daily activity, but in fact, it can be an adventurous journey for people with diabetes. When our feet are soaked in water, the skin begins to become soft and smooth, but once the moisture of the water is removed, the skin will become dry and even crack. Imagine your feet are like walking in the desert, and every time you hit the ground, it's like grains of sand rubbing against your skin.

Wounds and dry skin:

This is especially true for some people who like to add bath salts or herbs to their foot baths. These ingredients may bring comfort to your feet in the short term, but they may worsen skin dryness in the long term. For patients with diabetes, the challenges they face are even more severe. Since the skin on their feet is drier than that of ordinary people, the water will evaporate after soaking the feet and the skin will become drier and more fragile. This excessive dryness will not only cause the skin to crack but also increase pain.

Even worse, when people with diabetes have peripheral neuropathy, they may lose feeling in their feet. It's like groping in the dark and you don't know when you're going to hit a sharp object or fall. In this case, even a small cut or blister can cause serious problems. Once bacteria enter the body through an open wound, inflammation and infection can occur. At the same time, high blood sugar levels can weaken the immune system, further weakening the body's ability to fight infection.

Prevention is always better than cure. For people with diabetes, daily foot care and blood sugar management are crucial. Seek medical help immediately if you notice any discomfort or injury in your feet. Also, using an emollient or lotion to moisturize your skin is an effective way to take care of it.

Understanding your own physical condition and taking appropriate measures to protect your feet is something that everyone should pay attention to. After all, our feet carry our dreams and hopes of traveling the world.

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Editor: kiki Jia

Date: January 5, 2024