Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how the body processes blood sugar (glucose). Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications like diabetic neuropathy and peripheral artery disease. This nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation in the feet increases the risk of foot problems for people with diabetes. Feet may become dry and cracked, making them more prone to cuts, sores, blisters and infections. Finding the right moisturizing products is important to help prevent these issues.
Why is moisturizing important for diabetic feet?
There are a few key reasons why keeping the skin on your feet well moisturized is so important with diabetes:
- Dry, cracked skin is more prone to cuts, sores and infections – Moisturized skin acts as a protective barrier and helps prevent cracking that can allow bacteria in.
- Nerve damage can cause reduced sweat and oil production – This leads to dryness, so moisturizers help compensate for the lack of natural moisture.
- Thick calluses build up easier on dry, cracked heels and toes – Softening the skin through moisturizing helps prevent callus buildup.
- Improved blood circulation – Moisturizers help nourish the skin and improve blood flow to the feet.
Poor circulation in the feet, called peripheral arterial disease, is common in people with diabetes. This restricted blood flow makes it harder for skin injuries and infections to heal. Using moisturizers can aid circulation and speed healing.
Tips for moisturizing diabetic feet
Here are some tips for keeping your feet smooth and moisturized if you have diabetes:
- Inspect your feet daily – Check for any cuts, blisters, cracked skin or dryness and moisturize any problem areas.
- Wash with mild soap and lukewarm water – Avoid very hot water which can dry out the skin.
- Gently exfoliate – Use a soft foot file or pumice stone to gently remove thickened, dead skin. Don’t scrub too hard.
- Apply moisturizer liberally – Spread thickly over heels, soles, toes and tops of feet. Reapply after swimming or washing feet.
- Wear clean, dry socks – Choose breathable cotton or wool socks.
- See a podiatrist regularly – Have them check for any pre-ulcers or signs of infection.
consistency is key. Developing a daily moisturizing routine can help prevent many foot problems before they start.
What to look for in a diabetic foot cream
When selecting a foot cream or lotion for diabetes, look for these key features:
- Hydrating – Contains ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, oils that soak in to moisturize skin.
- Soothing – Calms irritation, itching and inflammation with aloe vera, vitamin E, colloidal oatmeal.
- Healing – Stimulates skin cell repair and regeneration with alpha hydroxy acids, retinol, vitamin C.
- Antifungal – Fights fungal infections like athlete’s foot with tea tree oil, tolnaftate, clotrimazole.
- Smoothing – Softens thick, hardened skin with urea, lactic acid, salicylic acid.
Many foot creams for diabetes also contain circulation-boosting ingredients like menthol, capsicum, and camphor. Always do a patch test before applying anything with new active ingredients to be sure your skin tolerates it. Stop using any products that cause irritation or discomfort.
6 Best lotions for diabetic feet
Here are 6 top-rated lotions to keep diabetic feet healthy:
1. Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Foot Cream
- 7 moisturizers like aloe vera and shea butter
- Antifungal and antibacterial
- Heals cracked heels and dry skin
- Fast-absorbing formula
Gold Bond’s foot cream contains a mix of rich moisturizers like aloe, shea butter and vitamin E. The formula is clinically proven to heal even severely cracked feet within a week. Salicylic acid exfoliates and smooths rough skin. It also has antifungal properties to combat athlete’s foot.
2. Eucerin Intensive Repair Foot Creme
- 10% urea softens thick calluses
- Natural moisturizing factors replenish skin
- Exfoliates with alpha hydroxy acid
- Fragrance-free, dye-free
Eucerin’s repair creme contains urea to gently exfoliate and soften thick, scaly skin on the feet. It also hydrates with glycerin and other natural moisturizing factors found in healthy skin. Works to restore dry, rough diabetic feet by enhancing moisture retention.
3. CeraVe Diabetic Foot Cream
- 40% urea exfoliates calluses
- Hyaluronic acid binds moisture
- Antimicrobial to prevent infections
- Non-irritating, fragrance-free
CeraVe’s diabetic foot cream contains a very high urea concentration of 40% to soften and detach thick, built up layers of dead skin and calluses. Also has skin-strengthening ceramides and hyaluronic acid for powerful hydration.
4. Era Organics Foot Cream
- Manuka honey soothes skin
- Cocoa and shea butters deeply moisturize
- Antifungal and antibacterial
- Non-greasy feel
This organic foot cream provides intense moisture and healing benefits with manuka honey, cocoa butter, shea butter and oils like jojoba and olive. Contains added vitamins A, B, E along with potent antibacterial manuka honey from New Zealand.
5. O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Foot Cream
- Allantoin stimulates new skin cells
- Dimethicone creates moisture barrier
- Fast absorbing, non-greasy
- Unscented formula
O’Keeffe’s foot cream is designed to restore extremely dry, cracked feet and provide relief from pain and itching. Allantoin removes dead skin cells to promote healing. Creates a protective layer to prevent moisture loss.
6. AmLactin Foot Cream Therapy
- 12% lactic acid deeply exfoliates
- Ceramides replenish moisture
- Fast-absorbing, non-greasy
- Fragrance and dye-free
AmLactin foot cream contains 12% lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates dry, flaky skin and calluses. Helps improve moisture retention with added ceramides. Leaves skin smooth and soft.
Home remedies
In addition to commercial creams and ointments, there are also some easy home remedies that can be used to moisturize diabetic feet:
Coconut oil
Natural coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids that are easily absorbed into the skin to provide deep hydration. Can be used directly as a moisturizer or added to a foot bath. Has both antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a natural humectant that draws moisture into the skin and acts as a protective barrier. Mix with a little water and apply onto clean feet overnight with socks. Rinse in the morning.
Honey
Honey is naturally antibacterial and can help prevent infection in cracked skin. It is also an emollient to soften and moisturize skin. Apply a thin layer onto feet and put on socks overnight before rinsing.
Olive oil
Olive oil contains healthy fatty acids that nourish dry skin and form a protective layer to seal in moisture. Warm up a bit before massaging over feet and covering with socks.
Petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly like Vaseline traps moisture and forms an occlusive layer to prevent transepidermal water loss. Spread a thick layer over the feet, especially dry areas like the heels and toes.
Aloe vera
The cooling gel from the aloe vera plant is soothing and hydrating for itchy, inflamed skin. Cut open a leaf to extract the gel and apply onto clean feet.
Tips for preventing diabetic foot problems
Along with keeping feet moisturized, some other tips for preventing foot complications with diabetes include:
- Inspect feet daily – Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling.
- Wash feet in lukewarm water – Avoid very hot water.
- Keep nails trimmed – Cut straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.
- Never walk barefoot – Always wear shoes, sandals or slippers.
- Choose proper footwear – Look for good arch support and roomy toe area.
- Don’t sit with legs crossed – Can restrict blood flow.
- Elevate legs when sitting – Helps improve circulation.
- Get periodic podiatry check-ups – Have a specialist examine your feet.
- Quit smoking – Smoking impairs circulation.
- Control blood sugar – Prevent complications through diet, exercise, medication.
Catching foot problems early and taking preventative steps are important to avoid infections, ulcers and other complications that can lead to amputations.
See a doctor for severe dryness or cracking
While moisturizers can help with mild dryness, severely cracked or bleeding feet require medical attention. See a podiatrist or dermatologist if you have:
- Bleeding cracks or ulcers on feet
- Signs of infection like oozing, foul odor, increased swelling or redness
- Thick calluses that don’t improve with moisturizing
- Tingling, numbness or burning pain in the feet
The doctor can provide prescription strength creams and ointments. For recurring calluses, they may need to be surgically removed. Left untreated, foot ulcers can become infected and lead to serious complications in people with diabetes.
Conclusion
Keeping diabetic feet well moisturized is a crucial part of preventing foot complications. Look for lotions and creams specifically formulated for very dry, cracked skin and common foot issues like calluses and fungal infections. Many effective over-the-counter options are available, as well as home remedies like coconut oil and glycerin. Along with moisturizing, be sure to take preventive steps like daily foot checks and wearing proper shoes. See a doctor right away if you notice any signs of infection or non-healing ulcers. Consistent care can help those with diabetes keep their feet healthy.