What You Need to Know About Diabetic Shoes

Many Diabetics benefit by using specially-crafted Diabetic shoes, especially if they suffer from a loss of sensation in their feet. Diabetic shoes are designed to be soft, comfortable, and custom fitted to the feet. These special shoes are designed to prevent injuries, such as blisters and cuts, which many Diabetics may not feel after they lose foot sensation.

Many Diabetics develop a condition called peripheral neuropathy. When someone has peripheral neuropathy, they lose feeling in their extremities, including their feet, legs, and even hands. Because they suffer from a loss of feeling in these extremities, they can be unaware when their shoes rub, cut, or squeeze their feet. In such a situation, the Diabetic may unknowingly be injured by ill-fitting shoes.

A Diabetic shoe tends to provide more room for the foot and for orthotic inserts than a normal shoe. Diabetic shoes tend to be wider and deeper than most other shoes and can be fitted with comfortable insoles.

In most cases, Diabetics will have shoes custom made in order to ensure that the shoe distributes weight properly and fits the foot perfectly. Having a custom-made shoe can prevent rubbing, chafing, and loss of circulation to the foot that a Diabetic may not notice because of the loss of sensation in the foot.

In addition to being specialty-crafted for the Diabetic individual, Diabetic shoes also tend to be manufactured with breathable fibers, such as fabric or netting, so that the foot has healthy air circulation. Good air circulation allows the skin to breathe, which helps to prevent pressure ulcers and increases blood circulation.

• Look for fabrics that "breathe," such as canvas or even sandals. Breathable fibers will prevent your foot from sweating, swelling, and chafing.

• The shoes should be deep enough to accommodate an orthotic insert and wide enough to prevent pinching.

• Avoid shoes that have interior seams, which may rub against the skin and cause chafing.

• The toe box in the front of the shoe needs to be roomy enough so that you can wiggle your toes.

• Elastic in the shoes may also help to prevent the shoe from sliding around on the foot while holding it comfortably in place.

Be sure to check out our store for foot care products, such as Diabetic socks that will help increase circulation and prevent injury to your feet. Ask your doctor where you might find a Diabetic shoe manufacturer in your area.