Diabetes AND pedicures
This is a very confusing subject for diabetics and those who are not. As a diabetic, who works on nails, I can tell you that pedicures are okay….when measures are taken. We hear so many different stories that can scare that cause of to believe that we shouldn’t get them.
Some doctors say those who are diabetic shouldn't have a pedicure because of the underlying conditions. I’ve never had a doctor tell me me this. Most people will make their own decisions on what's best for them in the end. However, if the diabetes is under control, it will not hurt to receive a pedicure.
To be a successful nail technician you need to be able to give the client the best service you can give them with the condition they are struggling with. One thing to consider is, pedicure thrones do have a weight capacity, and if a person is over the limit, you may not be able the soak your feet, be sure to inquire before your service so you aren’t disappointed.
Often, I hear people say there is a risk when soaking a person's foot when they are a diabetic. Let me just say, THERE IS NO DANGER of SOAKING THE FEET OF A DIABETIC CLIENT!! People who have diabetes go swimming, take showers and bathe. The danger of a pedicure comes into place when a client doesn’t tell the nail technician, they are a diabetic. Allowing the technician to know this allows them to take different steps during the pedicure.
People who are not diabetic or trained to work on a diabetic often don’t understand what happens to the skin especially when their diabetes is uncontrolled. Diabetes can lead to dry skin and cracked heels on the feet, and there could be calluses that are possibly hiding an underlying condition. I have seen clients' feet where the skin is so tight and dry that the right amount of pressure could cause a crack in the skin to split and cause a fissure. Fissures can get sore and can get infected if not taken care of.
If your technician is using Epsom salt in the water to soak the feet, they will need to replace the moisture with lotion or a light oil at the end of your pedicure. Those who have little to no feeling in their feet may not know if the water is too hot. So you need to tell your technician so he/she can adjust the temperature of the water. Another issue some technicians make is trying to remove a callus completely. This is dangerous for a diabetic. Why may you ask? Sometimes a callus can have a sore under it and it’s not noticeable until that callus is removed. Never let anyone take a razor to your feet.
I will say, that, there is no such thing as a diabetic pedicure and if a salon is claiming to have one, it possibly is a scam. Let me explain why so you have a better understanding. Some claim they will rehydrate your feet during their “diabetic” pedicure. A pedicure consists of taking care of the dead, dry skin, and cuticles, nail trimming, and foot exfoliation. When the feet are exfoliated with a scrub this should have some type of oil in it. The massage at the end of the service should include lotion. Both moisturize the feet to help replace any lost moisture. So, when someone advertises that their Diabetic pedicure puts moisture back into your feet. You should ask, “is this not what a regular pedicure does?) If the answer you get sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
Now, can a pedicure cost more for a specialty service…. yes!! This is because some technicians have experience and will take extra time to ensure they are not rushed. Your foot health is the most important part.
If you are taking care of your feet at home. Here are a few tips. Start by using warm water, not hot.
If your feet are dry, you will need to apply some form of lotion or essential oil to the feet after soaking.
Inspecting your feet on a daily basis to make sure you don’t have an injury to the skin/foot that could become problematic. Many who have no feeling cannot tell when there is an injury to the foot. Then the foot becomes infected.
Leaving your shoes and socks on all the time can cause moisture to accumulate in your shoes, creating the same concerns as soaking your feet too long. You don’t want your skin to split.
If you have fissures, cracks in the heels, you will want to apply the Fissure Cream to any splits on your heels to get them to heal quickly. If there are fissures, the heel will not heal any dirt or bacterial into the skin. This product will lift away deeply embedded material and allow the skin to heal.
My hope for those who receive pedicures is to be educated on what to know and expect when they receive a service. Ultimately, it is the client’s responsibility to inform the salon of any health conditions so that the proper steps can be taken to ensure the safety of the client and technician.
If you haven’t gotten a pedicure lately, please come see me!!
Best,
Trina Russell