Diabetes. We all know the name, we all know it’s something to do with blood sugar, and we all know it’s not very pleasant. But do we really know the full extent of its symptoms and how it can truly affect those living with diabetes – particularly the many working in industries where safety is critical?
Foot health is our passion and our area of expertise, and we want to share both with you, so while we’ll illustrate some eye-opening facts about this condition, we’ll also make a series of footwear recommendations that could aid or support those who are facing the symptoms and challenges that diabetes pose. Because while it’s a chronic ailment that needs to be taken very seriously, with the right knowledge, footwear and accessories, diabetes doesn’t need to compromise safety or productivity.
Diabetes is a chronic (life-long) condition that occurs when your blood glucose level is too high, so your body doesn't produce enough insulin, which is needed to aid the body in bringing down potentially harmful blood sugar levels.
Diabetes can lead to a range of health issues including:
Diabetes has far greater implications for feet than many might know. In fact, tingling and numbness are often the less serious symptoms. Diabetes can also cause:
If someone living with diabetes has a foot that is cut by an object or rubbed by rough material or seams, numbness in the foot means the individual might not feel it. This can lead to undetected blood loss, untreated foot sores, blisters or ulcers. Now, this is a problem in itself, but because of the elevated blood sugars that diabetes cause, the normal rate of healing of damaged tissue is much slower - and slow healing wounds can lead to infection and festering, and in more serious cases, amputation.
In other words, a simple mark or nick caused by a rubbing stitch or seam can very easily – and very quickly – cause a string of extremely serious health risks. And if you're still not convinced, have a read of these statistics from Diabetes UK:
So, when it comes to feet and diabetes, it’s vital to have the right footwear solutions. And given the long-term damage that injured or blistered feet can do to a diabetic, it is particularly important if they are working in a safety critical industry for their footwear to deliver maximum protection and comfort.
Below, we identify some key foot health concerns for those with diabetes and offer some footwear and accessory recommendations that might aid and support these issues.
Sweaty feet can increase the risk of a foot infection through sores or blisters because moisture makes the skin softer and more vulnerable to chaffing or rubbing.
VSOK4S Fawn Work Socks. This luxury comfort work sock features a soft stay-up top band and no-rub toe seam, so feet are protected against irritation or chaffing.
The V12 Sports range. This set of safety hikers and trainers feature mesh microfibre uppers, which provide excellent breathability. This ensures feet stay cool, which is vital for someone with diabetes given the importance of avoiding moisture around the feet.
Pictured: The V1940 Torque IGS - part of the V12 sports range featuring breathable and lightweight uppers
Most insoles achieve their anti-static properties by having a line of raised stitching which sits under the ball of the foot. This can itch, rub or irritate the skin.
Dynamic ArchTM insoles. We’ve designed these insoles with the anti-static properties within the material itself rather than in the stitching, which means no irritation - just comfort.
When feet get wet, the skin gets softer, which makes it easier for the tissue to get cut if rubbing, scratching or an accident occurs.
The V-Dri is our most advanced and breathable waterproof membrane. It keeps water out but provides moisture management and climate control through its breathable moisture wicking top fabric, giving the wearer cool and comfortable feet.
Find out more about the V-Dri by exploring the Lynx – our first safety boot range to feature the V-Dri waterproof lining.
Firstly, if boots are not wide enough, feet can get pressed and pushed against the sides of the footwear, leading all too easily to calluses, blisters or cuts. Secondly, the hard toecaps on safety footwear can easily rub diabetic feet, so it is important there is plenty of width in your boot to contain this vital safety feature and give your feet sufficient room.
Our wearers often say our safety boots feel wider than other boots available - this is because our last is designed based on the European population’s foot shape, making them naturally wider.
This results in a roomier and more comfortable fit and ensures that safety specifications like toecaps and midsoles have enough room to perform and protect.
Want to learn more about safety footwear sizing? Head to our blog here.
Because of the nerve and circulation issues that diabetes can cause, it’s important that extreme heat and cold are avoided.
Safety boots with a composite toecap can be a significant benefit for a wearer with diabetes because:
Interested in this topic? Read our blog on the advantages of composite toecaps here.
So many of our boots are based on the wide-fitting V12 last and feature lightweight composite toecaps for comfort and strength, we recommend that you head to the website and explore all our styles and see which one is right for you.
Whether these recommendations provide short or long-term health advantages, we're confident they’ll help show that diabetes doesn't need to stop people being productive and safe at work.
IDEAL (Insights for Diabetes Excellence and Learning) have developed an Education Centre 'Act Now' to help people recognise the symptoms of diabetes sooner and halve amputation rates in the next 5 years. Click here to explore this fantastic resource.
Are you interested in finding out more about how good foot health leads to wellbeing? Head to our blog below.