For those with type 2 diabetes, foot, leg, overall body care
is especially important
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot properly
produce insulin, or cannot use the insulin that it does produce.
Insulin is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into
energy. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly, sometimes
over years, and include:
- Being overweight
- Increased thirst and the need for frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Increased appetite, but weight loss
- Repeated or hard-to-heal infections of the skin
- Blurred vision
- Tingling or loss of feeling in the hands or feet
- Dry, itchy skin
- Skin care for the body, including legs and feet
Those with diabetes may develop skin and foot problems. Here's
what you can do to help protect your skin:
- Wash daily to help prevent skin infections.
- Wear clean socks and comfortable shoes.
- Take care of your body. Plan for rest and relaxation.
- Moisturize. Those with diabetes can develop dry skin on their
legs and feet. Severely dry skin can lead to fissures, which are
small cracks in the skin. Fissures can allow entry for bacteria
and infections to develop. For this reason, those with diabetes
should moisturize their skin daily, especially their legs and
feet. Lanolin-based creams are good for maintaining moisture in
the skin.
- Protect your legs and feet. With diabetes, blood
circulation to and from the feet can decrease, which slows
the healing process for leg and foot injuries. Untreated injuries
can become infected or ulcerated. Check your legs and feet often
for injuries and notify your doctor if an injury occurs. Your
physician can treat injuries before they become infected.
If you have questions about diabetes and leg and body care, talk
to your physician.
Leg, foot and body care treatments right at your fingertips
For a variety of leg, foot and body care treatment products like
leg cushions, see our product
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