Mineralesque Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Hello, my grandmother is diabetic and her feet are extremely try and raw. They won't heal. She is in so much pain and can barely walk on them. Is there any lotion that I could make or even buy to help her?Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavenScentU Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Oh my gosh, I feel so sorry for your grandmother. I would think you could ask a pharmacist to see what they recommend over the counter lotions. There seems to be alot out their that are diabetic safe. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mineralesque Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 Thank you. I will do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Oh my gosh, I feel so sorry for your grandmother. I would think you could ask a pharmacist to see what they recommend over the counter lotions. There seems to be alot out their that are diabetic safe. Good luck.I agree. It's especially important with diabetics because the risk of infectin if the feet is so high, and those infections are so incredibly difficult to heal. I know we make our lotions under the best conditions we can, and preserve them properly, but this is one of the areas I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. For example, although AK shea butter is quite healing (IME), we know it's not processed under ideal conditions (far from sterile!). Emu might be a better choice but I don't know anything about how that is rendered or handled so wouldn't risk that either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mineralesque Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 Thank you Carebear. I just spoke to my grandmother and she said that they are just reallllllly dry and have calluses(not sure if I spelled right). My aunt said that her feet were raw (she may have been exaggerating a bit). My grandmother did not say that to me. Anyway, I am going to see what they have at the pharmacy and maybe some lanolin would help with the dryness too. I have to send these to Puerto Rico.Thank you again for the responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donita Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 My soon to be husband, is a diabetic and we go through this. The best thing I have found is to always put a thick cream on his feet and socks. If it starts to look raw I use neosporin.....we use Dr. Scholls cream for cracked and dry skin. What you have to be careful of is bed sores...if there is a break down of skin it is very dangerous. We just healed two spots last week using a product like new skin....(expensive clear patches)......there are two companies who make them....ask the pharmist.....I also found that Band Aid makes clear strips for fingertips....there are no pads and you just put these on a cut and leave it on.....it absorbs any liquid so there is no need for the pad and they are waterproof. When using any of these strips there can't be lotion or they won't stick. The worst thing that can happen is amputation if a tiny little sore isn't caught in time. A friend of ours had to have his food amputated below the knee and part of the other foot because he didn't pay attention. This is very scary. We even have problems with his elbow because he is always reaching over to the night stand and rubbing on the sheet. I lotion his entire body daily. I went to the health food store yesterday to buy Alba lotion.....they are no longer carrying that. They recently found that it has an ingredient in it that causes tumors. (It starts with a letter "P") So....go to the health food store and get lotions that they know to be safe. I bought Giovanni Hydrate body lotion yesterday.......bamboo birch...smells great. Donita Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beloved Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 I am type 2 diabetic. If they have Podiatest I think i spelled that wrong but I call Him my foot Dr. Most of them have cream and such in the office. Would be better to get from them. I have a cream from mine that has good stuff in it. She needs a foot file for her heals and only heals to get rid of the calouss[mp]. But she needs to be carful not to take of to much dead skin. Tell her not to put any lotion or cream between toes. It can bring a danger of to much moisture being traped between toes and can get infection. So says my Dr. He really harps on that point. Hope she gets better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mineralesque Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 Great..I will go to the health food store too and check out the lotions they have. She called my aunt crying this morning because she didn't know what to do. She went back to the doctor and they gave her a patch to put on the caluses. Hope they work. But, in the mean time I am going to try to find something really good for her. I wish that she was close to me so that could take care of her. But, she wants to stay in PR. Great tips..thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donita Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Do some research and learn as much as possible. Here is one link you might find interesting. Good luck. Donita Louisehttp://www.footsmart.com/Diabetic-Foot-Creams.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mineralesque Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 Donita thank you so much for the link. I am checking it out right now.By the way love your work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Lea Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 I was just at Walmart and saw that they have a selection of foot lotions for diabetics. It was in the diabetic supply section. Probably worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mineralesque Posted February 15, 2007 Author Share Posted February 15, 2007 Thank you Erin Lea. I thought that I would have been able to get out yesterday but my kids are sick. Walmart is easier for me to get to. I will see what they have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasBrat Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 How about just straight cocoa butter or shea butter. I'm type 1 diabetic and you have to be concerned about infection when there is an open wound and if she doesn't have any then any type of lotion or butter is great. The key is consistency and to make sure she puts it on before bed and to wear socks. You can buy cocoa butter at Walmart and other various lotions, they don't have to be "diabetic" lotions. Make sure her circulation is good to, if you can massage her feet if you live near her and put the lotion on her. I hope her feet get better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mineralesque Posted February 15, 2007 Author Share Posted February 15, 2007 Great to know. I have both items. Thank you Texasbrat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triple_es_angel Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 I'm a diabetic and also have very dry skin and have found that using one of Leslie's aka shutterbugg loofah sponge soaps works wonders. I use it once a week with my weekly soak in the tub. Helps a lot with the calluses on my heels and gets rid of the flaking on my legs and arms. But as someone mentioned you want to be careful not to take to much off either. You don't have to be in a tub to use them I just find it easier then trying while in the shower. She could just do a foot soak also and use them that way specially since for older people it is harder to maneuver like they use to. Hope this helps in some way. :smiley2:Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Tex has it right, but make sure after the oil/cream is put on, the sox is put on and she keeps the soxs on all night. They should be white cotton also. Another idea is to make sure she is takng the right amount of insulin and her blood sugar is being tested at least 3 times a day. Sometimes when diabetics age they forget or don't care to keep as tight a check on blood sugar levels. If possible, have someone help and check her blood levels for a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mineralesque Posted February 17, 2007 Author Share Posted February 17, 2007 Thank you all for all your help and suggestions. I wish I was with her in Puerto Rico to make sure that she is doing all that she is supposed to. My aunt left from Florida to see how bad my grandmother was. We really would like for my grandparents to be in texas or in Florida so that they can be close to family but they are stubborn and just want to live and die in PR:waiting: . Anyway, we are all worried about her...maybe she will come to her senses and give in and live by one of us.Thanks again everybody you all are the best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fern-Marie Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Please, please, be careful with this and watch her very closely.My mother had a callous, it festered. Ran like wild fire and caused a massive infection. Then some jackass home health aide handled her foot without first washing, and no gloves!!! That passed on a staph infection.Amputations did not help. It was a 5 year nightmare.Mercifully, she passed away. But, she was only 64.If Gram has a podiatrist, that would be a good way to go as well. The callouses should be handled by a specialist - especially for a diabetic. She may have necrotic tissue that has to be removed or bacteria will grow.I would strive for a fragrance free cream, and yes, the socks are a good idea. I wish I had known about Emu - I would have probably tried it. I am so, so very sorry for her and the pain that she is in. I wish I could comfort her, and you, somehow. Stay vigilant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beau's mama Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 My Mom is an insulin dependant diabetic...and I am so adamant about her feet being taken care of properly. She's pretty much used Shea Butter for as far back as I can remember. But, I recently purchased some Emu Oil and thought we'd give it a try. She loves it...doesn't want Shea anything anymore! She says not only are her feet feeling softer, but the Emu seems to help with any pain she may be feeling. Now she wants Emu to slather on her whole body! I love her dearly, but this woman has no idea how expensive she's trying to become!She also started complaining that the socks hurt...no matter what type she wore. So, I decided to buy her the thick men's socks that I buy for DH (he's in construction and needs thick cushioned socks b/c of the boots). I got her a pair & cut the sides & she seems to like it like this. Just wish she'd wear one of the 50 pairs of slippers she has!Take care of Gram & I hope she feels better soon.Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mineralesque Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 Thank you. I may have to get some Emu oil and send her some. My aunt from Florida saw her this weekend and she said that grandma was doing better. She goes up and down. Hopefully she continues to take care of her feet. I am going to take care of mine. Thanks again, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fern-Marie Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 She also started complaining that the socks hurt...no matter what type she wore. So, I decided to buy her the thick men's socks that I buy for DH (he's in construction and needs thick cushioned socks b/c of the boots). I got her a pair & cut the sides & she seems to like it like this. Just wish she'd wear one of the 50 pairs of slippers she has!Take care of Gram & I hope she feels better soon.SharonSharon, My mom went through the same thing. Hard as I tried, I could not find comfortable socks for her, let alone women's white cotton knee socks! So, I got her the mens sport socks, over the calf. She loved them, and her podiatrist asked her where she found them. She confessed that they were men's socks. His wife was a specialist as well, and he said that he couldn't wait to tell her! lol Made my mom feel like she invented the things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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