Wear socks in bed if your feet are cold at night. Do not use a hot water bottle or heating pad on your feet. Always check your shoes before you put them on. Look and feel inside them for anything that could cause discomfort or injury, such as pebbles, a torn lining, or rough spots.
Keeping Your Foot Protected Matters
Always wear socks and shoes, even indoors, to prevent injury.
To avoid hurting your skin, don't use a nail file, nail clipper or scissors on calluses, corns or warts. Don't use chemical wart removers. See your provider or foot specialist (podiatrist) to remove any of these issues. Cut your toenails carefully.
Sleeping in socks can have some drawbacks, as it can cause the feet to sweat and create an environment for bacteria and fungus to grow, which can lead to bad odor, itching and even skin infections.
Most people with diabetes can prevent serious foot problems.
Wash your feet every day in warm (not hot) water and dry them well. Never go barefoot, even inside. Wear shoes that fit well and always wear socks. Trim your toenails straight across and smooth out sharp edges with a nail file.
Several over-the-counter (OTC) supplements may help relieve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Taking vitamin B12, vitamin D, or magnesium may help if your levels are low. There's also some evidence that alpha-lipoic-acid and coenzyme Q10 supplements may help.
For some people with neuropathy, the touch of sheets and covers can make pain worse. If your feet get painful at night, try wearing soft socks. Dr. Farhad also recommends diabetic socks, which are available in most drugstores.
It can cause circulation problems
Socks that are too tight could reduce blood flow to your legs and feet. That could make you uncomfortable and disrupt your sleep. For example, if your socks put too much pressure on your nerves, your feet might fall asleep, which could, counterintuitively, wake you up.
"Dirty socks can accumulate bacteria that have the potential to spread in your bed, possibly posing health risks," she says. "That's true even if you only keep your socks on while wearing shoes: "Your socks can still accumulate dirt and bacteria.
The cause of the dawn phenomenon isn't clear. Some researchers believe the overnight release of certain hormones that happens naturally increases insulin resistance. That causes blood sugar to rise. The hormones are called counter-regulatory hormones because they have an effect that opposes the effect of insulin.
Because a wound can go undetected due to diabetic nerve damage, it may not be noticed right away, putting you at risk for infection. Diabetes also makes wounds slower to heal or not heal at all which can lead to serious complications.
Life expectancy is known as the number of years a person is expected to live. At age 50, life expectancy is 6 years shorter for people with type 2 diabetes than for people without diabetes. By meeting type 2 diabetes treatment goals, life expectancy can increase by 3 years, or for some, as much as 10 years.
Wearing them all day can also help reduce fluid buildup as the day goes on. Remove your compression socks before you go to sleep unless your healthcare provider tells you to sleep with them on.
The Bottom Line. Bananas are a delicious, nutritious and affordable food for everyone, including those with diabetes. Eating this healthy fruit can help stabilize blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity and improve heart health.
What is the first rule of diabetic foot care? The first rule is to inspect your feet daily for any cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling. Is Vaseline a good moisturizer for diabetic feet? Yes, Vaseline can be a good moisturizer, but it should be used properly to avoid trapping moisture.
Sleeping with socks on may not be for you if you have circulatory issues, swelling of the feet, or other issues that could potentially increase the likelihood of socks restricting blood flow to your legs and feet. As always, make sure to talk to your doctor about if sleeping with socks on is right for you.
Possibly the biggest possibility with sleeping with your feet covered is the risk of developing Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis is caused by stress to the fascia muscles that span the underside of the arch of your foot.
Water should be a staple in any diet, and even more so for those looking to reduce nerve pain. It's critical to stay hydrated throughout the day to reduce inflammation and avoid triggering pain receptors. Aim to drink eight 8-oz. of water each day.
Temperature. As the temperature decreases at night, your peripheral nerves may experience heightened tingling, and you may feel a sharper or burning pain. Additionally, your heart rate may slow down when you're exposed to cold, which can slow down blood flow and intensify painful sensations. Fewer distractions.
Lidocaine or capsaicin may help ease neuropathic pain. You can apply these creams, ointments or patches directly to the affected areas. Nerve blocks. These injections can provide temporary pain relief.
Drinking enough water is important for everyone, but it's especially important for people with diabetes. Aim for at least eight cups of water per day and try to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is present in foods such as lentils, beans, and bananas. NAC may protect the neurological system from inflammation and damage, which may help prevent or treat neuropathy.
Drinking water and staying hydrated is important for managing blood sugar, also known as blood glucose. “Water helps your kidneys filter out excess sugar through urine,” says Khan. “So, the more hydrated you are, the more urine production you'll have, which flushes out sugar in the body.”