7 Products to Always Keep in Your Diabetic Foot Care Toolbox

It’s an all too familiar scene for diabetic foot pain sufferers. You’ve reached the end of the day, and your feet have absorbed every second of it: the strain of your weight, the stress of walking around, not to mention the build-up of less than pleasant sweat, scent, and bacteria. You search through your cabinets for something—anything—that might relieve your aches and pains. Unfortunately, you can’t seem to find what you need, and there’s no way you’re heading back to the store at this hour!

To avoid this end of the day dilemma, foot doctors recommend developing and maintaining a diabetic foot care toolbox filled with the most essential foot care items. Here’s a list of 7 products you should always have on hand to keep your feet clean and healthy.

1. Epsom Salts

These inexpensive foot soak salts are great for disinfecting your feet and relieving pain, swelling, and tension. They also come in soothing aromatic varieties such as lavender, eucalyptus, and mint.

2. Pumice Stone

These light volcanic stones help to open your pores and remove dead skin, preventing corns and calluses.

3. Foot Brush

Foot brushes are especially helpful for cleaning the rough-skinned bottoms of your feet.

4. Foot Spa

Foot spas are a wonderful tool for alleviating foot pain while you sit and relax after a long day.

5. Lotion

After cleansing your feet, massage a quarter-sized dollop of moisturizing cream or lotion into your skin. This will help prevent dryness and cracking.

6. Foot Powder

Foot powder provides an extra layer of anti fungal and antibacterial protection for your feet, absorbing sweat and reducing odor.

7. Diabetic Socks

Diabetic socks—or compression socks—are specially designed to prevent bunching, sliding, and rubbing against your skin. They feature flat, smooth seams to reduce irritation and extra padding to enhance the comfort of your feet.

If you are experiencing foot discomfort related to diabetes, we highly recommend that you consult our board certified podiatrists, Andrew Shapiro, DPM and Michael Barkin, DPM. We can recommend additional treatments and therapies that will help to alleviate your diabetic foot pain. Our practice is conveniently located on West Merrick Road in Valley Stream to accommodate all of your foot care needs. Call (516) 825-3860 or book an appointment online today!