What Are Diabetic Shoes?

The high blood sugar levels of diabetes cause many different problems throughout your body, including with your feet.

At Chicagoland Foot and Ankle, our board-certified podiatrists understand the impact diabetes can have on podiatric health, which is why we offer diabetic foot care for our patients in and around Chicago, Illinois. 

If you’re struggling with foot problems, diabetic shoes may be a good option. Here’s more about what they are and how they can help.

The diabetes-foot connection

People with diabetes are at increased risk of foot problems, as well as complications due to those problems. 

Peripheral neuropathy, the most common form of neuropathy, occurs when persistently high blood sugar damages the nerves in your extremities, most commonly in your feet.

Neuropathy causes pain, tingling, and/or numbness. Because you can’t feel if you’ve developed a cut or blister, these minor injuries can lead to serious complications, including:

• Infection, due to a weakened immune system and inflammation
• Slow-healing wounds because damaged blood vessels reduce blood flow in your feet
• Complications from infections that can spread to other areas of your body and/or lead to gangrene, requiring limb amputation

Foot and toe ulcers (slow-healing open sores) are some of the most common types of foot problems for people with diabetes. About 15% of diabetics develop a foot or toe ulcer.

Examples of other problematic foot and toe conditions include:

• Cuts, burns, and blisters
• Dry, cracked skin
• Corns and calluses
• Fungal infections, like athlete’s foot and toenail fungus
• Ingrown toenails
• Bunions
• Hammertoes

Because of the potential for serious complications, managing your blood sugar and taking extra care of your feet are extremely important.

How do I prevent diabetes-related foot complications?

Inspect your feet twice a day, looking for cuts, corns, blisters, or places where your shoes are rubbing against your skin. That way, you’ll be able to catch any problems early, when they’re more easily treatable.

Wash your feet every day, too, using lukewarm water to avoid scalding your skin, and blot your feet dry with a soft towel; don’t rub. Make sure you dry between the toes.

Look for socks that don’t have irritating seams, that extend above the ankle, and that don’t have tight elastic around the tops. Tight elastic can further decrease blood flow to your extremities. 

If you sweat a lot, have a clean, dry pair of socks you can change into to prevent fungal infections.

Cut your nails straight across, not curved, to prevent them from becoming ingrown. Cut them to the tip of your toe, not any shorter.

Inspect the inside of your shoes before you put them on. There may be a small pebble or other item you won’t feel that can damage your feet.

Don’t wear thong sandals, flip-flops, pointed-toe and open-toe shoes, and very high heels, all of which can irritate or squeeze your feet. It’s best to wear diabetic shoes.

What are diabetic shoes?

Diabetic shoes are specially made for people dealing with peripheral neuropathy. They’re well-padded and offer arch and heel support, they don’t have irritating seams, and they provide a wide toe box, so they don’t squeeze your toes together.

Diabetic shoes are also made of breathable materials, such as leather, suede, or canvas. Many synthetic or plastic materials cause your feet to sweat, potentially leading to fungal infections.

You can also ask us about custom orthotics. These are specially designed shoe inserts that support your feet where they need it and take the pressure off sensitive areas, so there’s no chafing.

Do you want to learn more about taking care of your diabetic feet? Schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified foot and ankle specialists. 

Give us a call at any of our locations (Mount Greenwood and Portage Park areas of Chicago, as well as Orland Park, Bartlett, Niles, and New Lenox, Illinois), or book online today.