A work boot for Diabetics is essential. If you are a man with diabetes, wide work boots for men with a steel-capped toe are crucial when working outdoors, any severe knock or abrasion to your feet can cause damage.
If you have sugar in your bloodstream, poorly controlled blood sugar, healing will be slow. Wearing a steel toe cap boot will protect your toes from any damage if you have a minor workplace accident.
Healthy feet are of the utmost concern to all people with diabetes, and a lifetime of wearing the proper footwear will be beneficial to your feet.
WHO ARE DIABETICS AND WHAT CAUSES DIABETES
TYPE 1 DIABETES
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas ceases to produce insulin.
It often occurs in adolescence and is a lifelong illness where daily insulin injections are required because they are usually diagnosed in young people.
Extensive training and education on how to best manage their condition are given. The young person is required to adhere to a strict diet to balance the blood sugars.
For some, it is a constant struggle, especially during times of rapid growth.
TYPE 2 DIABETES
Type two diabetes is often caused by lifestyle factors like being overweight and becoming insulin resistant.
This group, often over 50s, requires daily medication and diet to control their blood sugars and is usually told to lose weight.
In many cases, weight loss and sensible eating can return the blood sugars to normal.
HOW DOES BEING DIABETIC IMPACT THE FEET?
A person with diabetes needs to maintain good circulation in their feet and care for the skin and toenails.
Most type 1 diabetics are advised to attend a podiatrist regularly, and if you have poor sight, it is a good idea to get your nails cut by the podiatrist.
This is because if a person with diabetes cuts their toenails too short, it can lead to infection and slow healing of the area.
If you have diabetes, the right work boot for people with diabetes is essential.
Your care team at the Hospital will make some suggestions about where you go for help in getting the right boot fitted.
If you are a diabetic,
* Never go barefoot, even at the beach, wear some kind of rubber shoe.
* Test the temperature of your bath water before getting into it.
* Consult a podiatrist every three months.
CONTROLLING BLOOD SUGARS
When you have diabetes controlling your blood sugars is essential to a healthy body and healthy feet. So test your blood sugars frequently, as advised by your specialist.
If you can control your blood sugars through diet and insulin, it will make diabetic footcare so much easier for you to manage.
When you buy your work boot for diabetics, it will be much easier to get the right fit if you don’t have any additional foot problems.
HOW CAN THE DIABETIC SHOE HELP?
Footwear for the diabetic patient can be tricky, so nothing too flat or high heel as the diabetic person requires shoes to distribute foot pressure evenly.
Look for a style that has soft insoles. Both leather and canvas allow the air to circulate through the shoe.
Your health insurance may require that your boots are specially prescribed and fitted by an Orthotic fitter.
If you need therapeutic shoes or inserts, they might be claimable under your insurance cover.
Poorly controlled blood sugar not only damages the body but can damage the nerves in the feet, making a work boot for people with diabetes to wear every day essential.
WHAT FEATURES MUST A GOOD DIABETIC SHOE HAVE?
If you have neuropathy or damaged nerves in your feet, you will require something like an excellent orthotic shoe with orthotic insoles to get the support and cushioning you need.
In many cases where you have well-controlled diabetes, you may be able to go out and buy a shoe that is well-fitting without help.
Don’t forget you will need a shoe that is roomy, well-cushioned, and protective. No shoe must ever be tight, as this can further damage your feet.
Some people with diabetes experience edema or swelling in their feet. This is caused by fluid gathering in the feet due to poor venous return.
These people should wear a slip-on shoe, with a velcro adjustment, so that the shoe won’t be tight.
If you are buying a walking shoe, it needs to have stability and cushioning. A shoe that also allows your feet to breathe while offering protection.
All diabetic shoes, when fitted, should allow a bit of room to spare, as you don’t want any part of your foot to be touching or rubbing; it should also have extra depth in the toe area.
It is also essential to wear the right socks, and they shouldn’t be tight and leave a ring around your ankle.
People with diabetes should not only avoid high-heels but shoes with a narrow toe. The plan is to allow adequate space everywhere for your feet to move.
When you are at home at night and winter is coming, buy some Ugg Boots; they may look strange but are a good move for a person with diabetes as they are lined inside with sheepskin.
Sometimes the person with diabetes finds it hard to keep their feet warm, but this will do the trick.
If you live in North America, you may need to purchase some possum socks, wool with a percentage of possum fur incorporated to give your feet optimal warmth in Winter.
They are not cheap but are so much warmer for people with diabetes and those with decreased circulation.
CONCLUSION
The right work boot for people with diabetes is essential in managing diabetes and associated conditions.
With Autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, staying healthy and strong is a constant battle, and you deserve all the help you can get to maintain the best health outcomes.
If you have any doubts about the proper footwear for you, consult your specialist doctor, as he/she will know where you can get help.
