Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation

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Skin shedding on feet

Hi everyone, I'm prediabetic and know the importance of noting any changes in my feet. Recently large areas of skin has begun peeling off the soles of my feet. I have been using Dermol500 on my very dry legs with success. Should I be concerned about this skin shedding or should I continue with the Dermol500 by adding it to my feet as well?

13 Replies

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Hi,

This could be hard, dead heel skin and coming off in white, silvery flakes? Exfoliate with pumice stone🤔?

Could be Psoriasis which means sufferers have a huge turnover of dead skin that rises to the surface from other layers? Or some people have very fast skin cell cycles?

If you do a lot of walking our heels take a lot of rubbing, pressure etc and this part of the foot produces lots of calluses more so than other parts of the feet.

Moisturise frequently with eg Dermatonics, Flextitol, Vaseline, Dermol 500 etc.

Many questions IDK but I’m just wondering?

Thanks for your suggestions Sue- petal. The skin is only flaky on my legs and The Dermol500 is helping. My concern is the skin coming off my feet in sheets is on the soft part of my feet so I don't think it's psoriasis. I've never had this problem before and being prediabetic, I'm a bit worried. I'll continue moisturizing as you say and see what happens.

Do you mind telling me what your HbA1c result is? I too am pre D. (result 44) have been attending podiatry with peeling toe nails and infected toe . Toe better but nails still peeling. Podiatry don't seem overly concerned but have told me not to use moisturiser on feet. Of course we're all different and maybe you need to moisturise!!!

Thanks for your reply. I have been using Dermol500 on my legs but have started using on my feet too. That's interesting information, not to use moisturizer on your feet. I know we have to keep our feet dry, but Doctor or nurse didn't say anything about this. I think I'll ring my chemist and see what they say. Thanks for replying.

Hi, I forgot to mention I don't know anything about these figures. What are these what do they mean?

They are the average of the past 3 months glucose levels...done in blood test

Thanks foxglove. Have you ever tried special skin shedding boots? I see them on line and wonder if they would help.

We will be covering foot care in an upcoming podcast, we will let you know when it's live on the website. Previous editions are here drwf.org.uk/content/podcasts The advice from the podiatrists is to use a cream such as Flexitol on a daily basis. Have a look at their website flexitol.co.uk for more info. Avoid putting it between your toes.

Oh great. I could use some advice as I'm prediabetic. Most information is for diabetics and I'm a little worried.

Inspect your feet every day and use cream twice a day if you can to keep the skin hydrated.

Thanks for the advice.

Hi,

Please note that the terms, “pre-diabetic “ “ borderline diabetic”, “near-diabetic” etc etc can be confusing and demoralising.

Medics use them interchangeably which makes these terms even more difficult to understand.🤔😢.

Unhelpful?

Foxglove above asks a most important question, HbA1c level?

This is a good three month average as to how your body copes with BLOOD SUGAR (BG) control.

A spot fingerprick test which one can do for oneself with a BG monitor just gives you a single reading which will be variable according to whether you test pre-meal or post-meal.

According to WHO guidelines normal, non-diabetics give consistent readings between 4.5 to around 7.5 mmol/litre.

Your feet skin condition may turn out NOT to be related to diabetes?

It could be something else and not actually a diabetic foot condition but...?🤔 eg a rare skin condition that only a specialist dermatologist would know about?

Let’s all be positive and optimistic!

Thanks for taking the time to respond so clearly.