What You Need to Know About Diabetic Shoes

Many people with diabetes benefit by using specially-crafted diabetes shoes, especially if they suffer from a loss of sensation in their feet. Diabetes shoes are designed to be soft, comfortable, and custom fitted to the feet, which many diabetics may not feel after they lose foot sensation.

What Makes a Diabetes Shoe Different?

Diabetic footwear tends to provide more room for the foot and for orthotic inserts than a normal shoe. Diabetes shoes tend to be wider and deeper than most other shoes and can be fitted with comfortable insoles.

In most cases, diabetics will have shoes custom made in order to ensure that the shoe distributes weight properly and fits the foot perfectly. Having a custom-made shoe can prevent rubbing, chafing, and loss of circulation to the foot that a person with diabetes may not notice because of the loss of sensation in the foot.

In addition to being specialty-crafted for the diabetic individual, diabetes shoes and diabetic sandals also tend to be manufactured with breathable fibers, such as fabric or netting, so that the foot has healthy air circulation. Good air circulation allows the skin to breathe, which helps to prevent pressure ulcers and increases blood circulation.

How to Find a Good Pair of Diabetes Shoes

• Look for fabrics that “breathe,” such as canvas or even sandals. Breathable fibers will prevent your foot from sweating, swelling, and chafing.
• The shoes should be deep enough to accommodate an orthotic insert and wide enough to prevent pinching.
• Avoid shoes that have interior seams, which may rub against the skin and cause chafing.
• The toe box in the front of the shoe needs to be roomy enough so that you can wiggle your toes.
• Elastic in the shoes may also help to prevent the shoe from sliding around on the foot while holding it comfortably in place.

People with diabetes are more prone to foot pain due to an increased risk of damage to nerves and blood vessels. You can help prevent these problems with the following tips:

• Wash your feet in warm water with mild soap every day, but don’t soak them. Dry them well, especially between your toes.
• Check your feet every day for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or any other problem. Call your doctor if healing doesn’t start after one day.
• If your skin is dry, rub lotion on your feet after you wash and dry them. Do not put lotion between your toes.
• Gently file corns and calluses with an emery board or pumice stone (move it in only one direction). Do this after your bath or shower, when the skin is soft.
• Trim your toenails once a week or when needed. Cut them with a nail clipper straight across, then smooth the edges with an emery board. If you can’t see or reach them, ask a family member or your health care team for help.
• Always wear slippers or shoes to protect your feet from injuries. Don’t wear sandals and don’t walk barefoot, even around the house.
• Always wear socks or stockings to avoid blisters. Choose a pair that fits your feet well and has soft elastic.
• Wear shoes and socks for diabetics that fit well. Shop for shoes at the end of the day when your feet are bigger. Break in shoes slowly. Wear them 1 to 2 hours each day for the first few weeks.

Talk to your doctor for more information about how you can take care of your feet. Remember: taking good care of your feet will help to prevent long-term problems like amputation.

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