Get to know the best shoes for diabetic feet.
When you have diabetes, your feet require a little extra special attention and care. It’s important that you provide your feet with what they need to protect against ulcers, calluses, and nerve damage. One simple way to better support and cushion your feet is with special diabetic-friendly footwear. Suppose you have questions about diabetes and specialized footwear. In that case, our Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Niceville, FL, podiatrists Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel can provide patients with recommendations and advice to make shoe shopping a little easier.
What foot problems can diabetes cause?
- Diabetic feet are prone to redness, blisters, swelling, nerve damage, ulcers, corns, and calluses. It’s important that you inspect your feet every day to check for these issues. Even if they seem minor, they could quickly turn into an infection. Other common problems include,
- Tendon imbalances
- Poor circulation
- Increased susceptibility to fungal and skin infections
- Hammertoes and other deformities
If you notice any of these problems and have been diagnosed with diabetes, you should always call our Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Niceville, FL, team. We can prevent severe infections that could otherwise lead to amputation by catching and treating these problems early.
What should I look for in shoes if I have diabetes?
If you have diabetes, you’ll want to look for several things when shopping for shoes. Some helpful tips include,
- Find shoes that offer support but with softer arches that will provide comfort and reduce aches and pains.
- Stay away from high heels, flat shoes, or flip-flops, as they don’t distribute pressure evenly, which can lead to corns, calluses, redness, and other problems.
- Look for a wide, deep toe box in a good pair of shoes to prevent the shoes from rubbing against the skin and causing blisters.
- Shoes with soft insoles will be ideal because they provide ample comfort, cushioning, and support for your feet.
- Look for shoes made from leather, suede, or other breathable materials that allow for ample circulation of air.
- If your shoes need a little extra cushioning or weight distribution, talk with our team about custom orthotics (aka shoe inserts)
- Make sure to pair your perfect shoes with the right socks—extra cushiony that go above the ankle and are made from moisture-wicking material.
Emerald Coast Podiatry provides individualized, caring foot and ankle care to those with diabetes. To schedule an appointment with our Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Niceville, FL, team, call our office today. Call for more information at (850) 862-4119 for the office in Fort Walton Beach, FL, and (850) 682-6522 for the office in Crestview, FL.