Footwear and Hosiery Advice for Diabetics: by Julia Franklin
FOOTWEAR
Shoes that fit well can help prevent many foot problems. Ill-fitting shoes cause corns, callouses, ulcers and nail problems – all of which it is so important to avoid when you have diabetes.
Therefore, choose footwear with:-
- soft leather uppers without seams that will mould to your feet and let them ‘breathe’
- wide toe boxes with depth that will allow room for your toes to wiggle
- soft insoles and linings with no wrinkles or seams
Try to get into the habit, every time you put your shoes on, of checking that there are no pieces of grit or other objects in your shoe. Remember that if you have nerve damage to your feet from the diabetes, you may not be able to feel these things with your feet once you have your shoes on.
HOSIERY
Hosiery can be just as damaging as poor footwear, so avoid stockings, tights or socks that are too tight as they may restrict the circulation – but also avoid hosiery that is too loose as this can wrinkle and irritate the skin.
There are socks currently on the market that are specially designed for diabetic people. These are usually seam-free to avoid that uncomfortable rubbing of the seams against your shoes and also don’t have tight elastic tops which could restrict the circulation, plus some of them have thermal regulation properties – helping to keep your feet at a nice even temperature.
Never wear elastic garters as they may seriously restrict the circulation.
