All About Sandals (For Diabetics)
When diagnosed with diabetes, one of the problems you might encounter is what footwear to purchase during those hot, muggy summer months. Sandals are the obvious choice for breathability and comfort, but many things to consider when shopping for diabetic feet.
One of the conditions that may pop up with diabetes is peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy refers to the many conditions that involve damage to the peripheral nervous system. This vast communication network sends signals between the central nervous system and all other parts of the body.1
This condition (applied to your foot health) means that you may have the inability to feel pain from a foot injury such as a cut or laceration. This creates problems when shopping for sandals. Due to the open toes and ankles, you could get a sore or open wound and never even feel it. That open wound can then potentially get infected.
If you haven't been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy but have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is still crucial to pick out the right pair of sandals!
"If your diabetes is under control and you're not struggling with weakness, numbness, or pain in your feet from nerve damage (aka neuropathy), you're probably okay to wear most sandals," Richard H. Graves, of Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Longwood, says. "But if you do have neuropathy, you're going to need a different type of sandal," he says.
Doctors recommend looking for these features in a sandal:
- A thicker, more rigid sole.
- Good arch support.
- A heel strap.
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References:
1. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Peripheral-Neuropathy-Fact-Sheet