Care and pampering have always been fanaticizing people who have been struggling and occupied with managing their health for a long. Especially for diabetics, who remain occupied with self-management. Foot complications are some of the most common ailments that occur with diabetes. How? The American Diabetes Association estimates about 20% doctors (seeing diabetic patients) are encountered foot concerns. Diabetes can trigger nerve damage that reduces the sensation and you may not feel injuries on your feet.
Besides, if a pedicure for diabetics is performed not properly, it can reduce sensations and a minor foot injury can convert into a life-threatening disease. There could be many stories that you may have come across stating that a diabetic individual required a foot amputation due to an injury that got infected and was not healed. A systematic review published in 2017 authenticates that 19 studies show 75% of the lower extremity amputation procedures performed on someone who is diabetic.
LEA- Lower extremity amputation is no joke as it can be done on anything from your toe to your legs (both). To lower the expected risks, diabetics should be more cautious and take extreme care of their feet. When it comes to taking care of feet, a pedicure would be one of a few factors to talk about.
Is Pedicure for Diabetics Patients safe?
People have a conception that diabetics cannot cut their nails or have a pedicure. It can be true to some extent. Diabetic patients can have pedicure treatment at a nail salon only if their diabetes is well controlled. Once you decide to go to the spa for a pedicure or treatment associated with your feet, talk to your doctor prior to making your booking.
Even if you plan to have a pedicure at your home by yourself or by calling a professional at home, make sure that your blood sugar levels are normal. Another thing is that you have to ensure that there would be no nail cuts skin trims, the place is hygienic, and the equipment supposed to be used is not sharp.
Why it is unsafe to get a Pedicure for Diabetes Patients?
Diabetes is undoubtedly an enduring disease that is linked with a range of complications including the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and circulatory system. While pedicuring, if the following factors are not taken into consideration, the risks of infections to diabetics can increase. They are;
- Poor circulation – If you’re having pedicure treatment and your sugar level is not controlled, then your blood flow may be already decreased with reduces blood circulation. This means that poor circulation of blood elevates the chances of infections. If the pedicure specialist nicks the cuticles roughly and do harsh exfoliation, then you’ll likely get a wound that will take a long time to heal and sue to slow blood circulation, it can also be dangerous.
- Ingrown nails – Another risk of a pedicure to diabetes patients is ingrown nails. Pedicures often lead to developing ingrown toenails if the nails are cut too deep. To a diabetic person who is exposed to diabetic nephrology, who has uncontrolled blood sugar levels or is not well managed, an ingrown toenail or damaged skin on the foot can lead to infections, which again can be threatening.
- Reduced pain sensation – Pedicure for diabetes patients needs to be performed with extra care. Apart from cuts and nicks, a small sharp object can harm the skin which eventually leads to infection. Since diabetics are associated with nerve damage risks, they would have little to no sensation of a cut or nicks that they may expose to.
- Unsterile environment – Fungal infections often occur when a pedicure is performed either in an unsterile environment or with unsterilized equipment that would get challenging to get rid of.
What Precautions should be there while getting a Pedicure with Diabetes?
When you have diabetes, you have to be careful about everything you do to your body – including getting a pedicure. That’s because diabetes can cause changes in your feet that make them more susceptible to infection. That’s why it’s important to take some basic precautions when getting a pedicure, especially if you have diabetes.
Here are a few tips to help you stay safe:
- Make sure the salon uses sterilized tools
- Avoid salon chairs that have whirlpools or jets
- Don’t shave your legs before getting a pedicure
- Dry your feet thoroughly after the pedicure
- Check your feet frequently for signs of scars and infection
What Other Risks are there if you get a Pedicure having Diabetes?
After all, diabetes can cause problems with your feet, so you’ll want to be sure that you’re taking care of them in the best way possible.
There are a few others risks a well to consider before getting a pedicure if you have diabetes. You may be at risk of developing foot ulcers. Foot ulcers are open wounds that can become infected, and they can be difficult to heal. Also, you may be at risk for poor blood circulation in your feet. This can lead to serious problems, like slow healing of wounds and infection. Therefore, it’s important to talk to your doctor before getting a pedicure if your diabetes is uncontrolled and other health complications are triggered already.
However, pedicures are generally safe for people with diabetes, as long as you take a few precautions. For instance, be sure to choose a salon that uses sterile instruments and cleans the foot bath between each use. You should also avoid getting a pedicure if you have open wounds or cuts on your feet.
What Precautions you should consider while doing a Pedicure at Home?
A pedicure can also be done at home with the right tools and products.
There are two ways to do a pedicure: the traditional method, which involves soaking the feet in warm water, exfoliating the skin, trimming the nails, and applying polish; and the fish spa method, which uses fish to eat dead skin cells. But things get a bit simple and smooth when someone has diabetes. The steps you should consider to get a pedicure at home while dealing with the disease involve;
- Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes to soften the skin and pat dry them
- Cut your nails carefully
- Exfoliate your feet with a foot scrub or pumice carefully so that they do not tear your skin be gentle
- Apply moisturizers to avoid dryness. Avoid applying the moisturizers between your toes as the skin there would become prone to get bacteria buildup.
Should you consult a Doctor after a Pedicure?
If you have any questions or concerns about your health, it’s always best to consult a doctor. This is especially true when you have diabetes or if you just had any sort of medical procedure.
While pedicures are generally safe, there is always a risk of infection, particularly if the tools used are not sterilized properly. If you experience any redness, swelling, or pain after a pedicure, be sure to consult a doctor right away.
In addition, it’s important to consult a doctor if you have any medical conditions that could be affected by a pedicure. For example, if you have diabetes, you may be at risk for developing an infection. So, it’s always best to consult with a doctor before getting a pedicure if you have any health concerns.
However, if you experience any of the complications from the following after a pedicure, you should consult your doctor:
- Severe pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pus or fluid discharge
- A feeling of warmth
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea or vomiting
It’s also important to contact your doctor if you expose to medical conditions that could put you at risk for complications after a pedicure, such as immune system disorders, circulatory problems, etc.
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