1. Diabetic Neuropathy and Foot Risks
One of the most common complications of diabetes is ‘diabetic peripheral neuropathy.’ This refers to nerve damage, especially in the feet, which are the farthest part of the body, due to prolonged high blood sugar.
When nerves are damaged, the ability to feel pain, temperature, and pressure gradually dulls. This can lead to a very dangerous situation where you may not notice a cut or burn on your foot in time.
2. The Danger of Hot Water
Checking the temperature of hot bathwater with feet that have reduced sensation is a very dangerous act. Even if you feel the temperature is just right, it could actually be hot enough to burn the skin on your feet. For a person with diabetes, once a foot is injured or burned, it does not heal well due to concurrent circulation problems and can progress to a serious ulcer or infection.
3. Safe Methods for Checking Temperature
Therefore, when taking a bath or footbath, a person with diabetes must check the water temperature using safe methods like the following:
– Use Hands or Elbows: Check the temperature by dipping your hands or elbows, which have more normal sensation than your feet, into the water.
– Use a Thermometer: The safest and most ideal method is to use a water thermometer to ensure a lukewarm temperature of around 37-38°C (98-100°F).
Summary: ‘Burn prevention’ is crucial in diabetic foot care. To protect feet with dulled sensation, you must make it a habit to check the bathwater temperature with your hands or a thermometer, never with your feet.
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