Diabetes and Pedicures what you should know..

The Truth About Pedicures

 

It’s a simple act of bliss: sinking into a a relaxing chair and surrendering to an adept technician who rubs away tension, kneading lotion into thirsty skin. In fact, the process of getting a pedicure often has less to do with perfectly polished nails and more to do with taking time out of your day to relax (preferably in the company of a tasty gossip magazine). If you have diabetes, the need to pamper yourself—and forget for a few moments about the hard work of managing your condition—is all the more crucial.
But before you kick off your shoes, Remember,. “People with diabetes are at risk for a number of complications. Foot infections are common. If they develop a break in the skin, it can be a life-threatening complication , I would caution individuals with diabetesneed to be very careful! because of the sanitary conditions of the salon, the skills of the individual performing the pedicure, and the cleanliness of the instruments used.”
Still, women (and, yes, even men) with diabetes are heading to salons and spas. The reason? Aside from being an indulgent way to spend an afternoon, pedicures can ensure that feet are clean and hydrated, which is important when you are managing diabetes. Here are some tips..

Know When to Skip It

If you are healthy and complication-free, getting a pedicure doesn’t pose a threat the way it does for people with the foot complications of diabetes. But if you have an infection, ulcer, cut, or neuropathy, don’t book an appointment. An open wound is an open door for any bacteria that may be in the foot basin’s water, and nerve damage will make it hard for you to tell if you’ve been cut or if the bath’s water is too hot.

Stake Out the Salon

Scheduling a pedicure at just any old nail salon is a bad idea. “The most important thing is that wherever people go, they need to make sure they’re using clean practices.  Look into the place’s sanitation practices, the technician’s training—make sure she’s licensed—and how the tools are cleaned. If a woman is going to seek out this service, it is important she address these issues
If the salon looks clean but you’re still unsure about the sanitization process, don’t be afraid to ask. “Ask them how they clean their things. We get asked all the time, and I’m happy to answer.”  after each service, foot baths should be cleaned with a hospital-grade, EPA-registered disinfectant made specifically for pedicure chairs. There are so many things you can catch. Fungus is the number one thing you see.”

Examine the Foot Bath
Sure, sinking your feet into a pool of warm, bubbly water is relaxing. But did you know that bacteria may be introduced into your bath thanks to the pipes that carry the water? Avoid soaking in someone else’s bacteria by being picky about your foot bath. We  opt for easy-to-clean individual buckets or bowls. Before you book your service, ask the spa which type of basin it uses. And remember, regardless of basin type, the technicians should still clean between each client.

Take the Right Steps

You should wash and inspect your feet daily. Turn the chore into a treat.

1. Wash. Clean feet are healthy, so perform this task daily—not just for a pedicure.
2. Exfoliate. Get rid of the dry skin that prevents full moisture absorption with a pumice stone.
3. Moisturize. Rub a thick moisturizer into feet, avoiding the area between toes.
4. Clip. Cut toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails.
5. Soften. Stop cuticles from cracking by rubbing them with a soothing oil. 6 Polish. Go ahead, have fun.

Inspect the Tools

Before you let a pedicurist touch your feet, find out how her tools are sanitized. Like foot baths, imple­ments should be cleaned between each use. But, be warned: Just because tools were pulled from a sterilization pouch or drawn from a jar of blue liquid doesn’t mean they’re safe, Dirty instruments used on past customers may soak in unchanged fluid or open containers. those wooden sticks used to push back cuticles. If emery boards and nail buffers are used, they should be thrown out after each client to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Some people even tote their own tools as an extra precaution. But then cleanliness becomes your responsibility: You have to, as an individual, make sure you wash your tools. You can infect yourself. As long as you go home and wash them really good … that’s a great solution.”

Give Instructions

If you have diabetes You should let us know The massage should be gentler.” Though you may feel nervous saying something, nail technicians actually want you to speak up. Tell your  pedicurist, ‘You know, I can’t have [the water] too hot,’”
Request that the technician not clip your cuticles or file your heels or calluses. Make sure the basin’s water is warm, not hot, and that your toenails are cut straight across. Ensure that moisturizing lotions are thoroughly massaged into your feet to prevent excess lotion collecting between the toes. And insist that the pedicurist avoid a credo blade—that’s the one that looks like a razor—on your feet. The tool is illegal in many states.

Plan Ahead

As lovely as freshly shaven legs are, in this case they can do more harm than good. Stop shaving your legs two days before your scheduled pedicure to prevent skin from getting irritated or bacteria from entering any tiny nicks or cuts.

Use Your Judgment

These measures may seem extreme, but consider the alternative: Unsterilized instruments can pass bacteria and infections between clients. So, what do you do if you suspect a salon isn’t practicing safe sanitization? “I would say get up and leave,” . “You’re risking a lot for a pedicure. If you’re not sure, and you’re not comfortable, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”