Can a diabetic go for a pedicure? Part 1

Well, the answer to this question deserves some explanation but in general the answer is NO.

Most people ignore their feet. Individuals brush their teeth, comb their hair, take care of their pimples, wash their back side after pooping; but when it comes to their feet most individuals just could not care less. Feet may not be attractive, but if you are a diabetic, feet are a blessing. Hundreds of diabetics develop severe and life-threatening infections from minor skin trauma in the toes or foot and end up getting leg amputation.

For diabetics, taking care of their feet should be the highest priority. Once an amputation of even the small toe has taken place, your lifestyle is forever altered (most diabetics who end up losing one toe, usually lose more in the future). Diabetics have two major problems. One is that the blood supply gradually decreases due to atherosclerosis. In this scenario, the blood vessels narrow and after 10-20 years of diabetes, there is no blood supply to the foot. Some diabetics have excellent blood supply to their feet but they develop severe damage to their nerves (neuropathy). These individuals are unable to sense any trauma.  In both cases, any breaks in the skin, even an ingrown toenail can develop into a major infection. 

Before you rush off for a pedicure, go and see your health care provider. Let the doctor first assess your feet to ensure that you have no acute infection, reduced sensation, broken skin, nail infection or decreased blood supply. If any of these conditions exist then it is best not to go to a pedicurist.  The other person a diabetic should never see is a podiatrist. These healthcare professionals are clueless about the importance of blood supply to the leg and almost never examine the pulses. There are countless lawsuits against podiatrists for gross negligence in managing diabetic feet.

Podiatrists are not bona fide surgeons and have little or no training in vascular surgery. One should never let a podiatrist cut or excise any part of your toe or foot without a prior clearance from a vascular surgeon- this advice may sound drastic but it can be limb saving. Cyberspace is full of such cases where podiatrists have done more harm than good and there have been many litigations against podiatrists.