Diabetic feet may be at greater risk on holiday

If you have a reduced ability to feel,"loss of protective sensation", your feet  may be at increased risk of damage and injury during holiday times and care is required.  

Dangers to beware on holidays

Holidays may be considered a carefree time when you can abandon rules.  Holidays may also mean that you wear different or new footwear and you walk further  and perhaps carrying more weight than usual.  High  pressure points may form blisters or callus which make your feet more vulnerable to damage and ulceration.  

For diabetics it is important that your normal foot care and vigilance be maintained

Safety Rules for diabetic patients on holidays

• Avoid sunburn
• No brand new shoes
• Wear socks
• Use emollient on dry skin
• Check feet for redness from pressure or lesions

Dangers at the beach

• Cuts from shells, rocks or broken glass
• Abrasion from putting on shoes with sand in
• Puncture wounds
• Burns from hot sand
• Not drying feet properly, especially between the toes
• Insect bites and stings
• Sunburn

Wear plastic sandals at the beach or in the sea to reduce the risk of injury.  

Shoes with out backs such as scuffs or jandals increase the likelihood of hard skin and fissuring appearing around your heels.  If you have hard dry skin around your heels it should be removed by a podiatrist to reduce the risk of fissuring and possible infection.

 It is important if you continue to wear your closed in shoes and insoles (if they have been supplied) while on holiday.  If you must wear different shoes reduce the time you are in them and especially avoid them for walking.   

• Be vigilant and if you have a problem seek medical help

• Most importantly continue with your regular diabetic regime to control your diabetes  

Check out other holiday advice from Diabetes New Zealand  

 

 

Travelling with Type I Diabetes

Travelling with Type II Diabetes

Footcare

Diabetic Feet

 

References

Edmonds, M. E., Foster, A. V., & Sanders, L. J. (2008). A practical manual of diabetic foot care. Oxford, England: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.