A Guide to Diabetes and Your Feet 

Diabetes can affect you all the way from your head down to your toes. That’s right – we’re talking about your feet! When uncontrolled, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves and blood vessels, leading to foot issues ranging from dry, cracked skin to infections. But don’t worry—understanding and addressing these risks through a foot and skincare routine can put you on the path towards better health. Let’s dive into the details of diabetes and foot care, and how Flexitol may help. 

Understanding diabetes and its impact on skin health 

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects insulin, a hormone essential to regulating blood sugar levels. With diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it properly, leading to high blood sugar levels that can harm your health. 

When left unmanaged, high blood sugar levels for prolonged periods can damage the nerves and blood vessels throughout your body, particularly in your skin. Let’s review some common skin problems that can happen with diabetes: 

Common skin issues associated with diabetes: 

• Dryness. When sugar levels are too high, the body pulls fluids from its cells to make more urine to remove this excess sugar. As a result, you can get very dry skin. 
• Cracked heels. Dryness can become particularly troublesome when it comes to your feet. Your heels may get dry, causing tiny cracks throughout. 
• Diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy refers to nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels. It manifests as numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in different parts of the body, including the feet.  
• Skin infections. Bacteria and fungi thrive in high-sugar environments. Thus, because diabetes increases your blood sugar levels, your skin is more prone to infections by these pathogens.  

Importance of foot care for individuals with diabetes 

In addition to impacting your skin, diabetes can also affect your feet. Diabetes can harm the feet in two main ways: impaired circulation and nerve damage. 

Increased blood sugar levels can harden and narrow the arteries, making it hard for blood to pass through and causing a lack of blood flow. Thus, diabetes can impair circulation, meaning the blood doesn’t flow freely to different parts of the body. As a result, it can take longer for cuts and wounds to heal. 

In addition, you can also experience nerve damage in your feet. With numbness and diminished sensation, you may not notice things like blisters and cuts. When left unmanaged, you may experience ulcers and infection. 

Thankfully there are several things you can do to lessen the impact of diabetes on your feet. These include: 

• Checking your feet daily for cuts, blisters, swelling, or redness 
• Washing your feet every day, making sure to dry off in between your toes 
• Getting your feet checked by a podiatrist or doctor at minimum once yearly 
• Maintaining a proper skincare routine, including moisturizing dry skin, specifically cracked heels 

Introduction to Flexitol’s foot care products 

Though diabetes can undoubtedly affect your skin and feet, have no fear! Implementing an effective skincare routine can help prevent long-term complications. At Flexitol, we have always been committed to the goal of helping people and treating their skin concerns with products that work. Thus, we’ve created two diabetes-friendly products: Heel Magic and Heel Balm. 

What exactly are these products, and what’s the difference? Well, dermatologists recommend these two skincare solutions to support happy feet! They deliver moisture deep into the skin, hydrating and nourishing the feet to treat and prevent rough, dry, and cracked heels. See the table below for the key differences between Heel Magic and Heel Balm for cracked heels. 

Benefits of Flexitol’s foot care products for individuals with diabetes 

Are you curious about Heel Magic and Heel Balm by Flexitol? Let’s dive a bit deeper into the benefits of these products: 

• Diabetes-friendly. Are you suffering from cracked heels and feet because of your diabetes? Don’t worry, our foot care products are suitable for daily skincare for those with diabetes, helping to prevent complications such as ulcers and infections. 
• Unique formulation. Our products are free from parabens and formulated with a unique blend of moisturizing and exfoliating ingredients that penetrate deep for optimal hydration and repair. 
• Instant results. You won’t have to wait weeks on end to start seeing improvements to your skin. Depending on the product, you can begin seeing visible results in as little as 1-3 days. 
• Clinically tested. Efficacy is one of our values, so Flexitol’s Heel Balm for cracked heels is backed by scientific research with proven results. In two clinical studies, participants applied Heel Balm twice daily over several weeks. At the end of both studies, the Heel Balm by Flexitol significantly increased moisture and hydration, demonstrating its potential in repairing dry heels and feet. 

Tips for incorporating Flexitol’s products into a foot care routine 

Ready to start using our foot care range for better skin? Here are some practical tips for incorporating our Heel Balm and Heel Magic into your routine: 

1. Start with clean, dry feet – Begin by washing with warm water and mild soap and then thoroughly drying your feet 
2. Apply a generous amount of Heel Balm or Heel Magic to any rough areas 
3. For best results, use Flexitol Products twice daily: morning and night 
4. Reach for Flexitol Heel Magic, a stick applicator, for easy maintenance, travel, and quick applications 

Conclusion 

In summary, diabetes and uncontrolled blood sugar levels can harm your health, specifically the health of your feet and skin. Thus, foot care is paramount for any person with diabetes hoping to maintain their wellness. You can take control of your diabetes by managing your blood sugar levels, having regular doctor’s visits, and prioritizing self-care through a thorough skincare routine. 

Flexitol Heel Balm and Heel Magic are the perfect additions to any diabetic foot routine. Packed with a unique formulation of nourishing ingredients, they can help restore dry, cracked skin. Easy to use and affordable, start using these products today to improve your foot health and quality of life! 

References 

Diabetes and your Skin

Diabetes Foot Care