Diabetic Foot Treatment While Hiking

It is always important to pay attention to diabetic foot treatment, especially when out walking or hiking. To make our feet able to withstand the mechanical stress and weight of walking, jogging or during movement, we need continuous coverage of soft and supple skin, good blood circulation and the ability to quickly recover from injured, dry or worn- out skin.

The diabetic population tends to suffer from poor blood flow that delays healing of wounds. Typically, untreated injuries and infections can develop into slow healhng ulcers, partially because of the decrease in the body's ability to resist infection.

Here are some tips for diabetic foot treatment, prevention, care and protection during hiking. The tips are intended for the general population, and especially for those suffering from diabetes.

Washing your foot every day is essential to prevent accumulation of dirt which can lead to infections.

Be sure to dry the foot completely - especially between the toes, which are sensitive to the accumulation of bacterial and fungal infections. You can use talcum powder containing anti-fungal ingredients sprinkling it on the foot and toes.

Prevent your foot from becoming dry or cracked by using lubricant ointments. There are preparations offering a variety of concentrations: for dry skin; very dry skin, and cracked skin.

For walking you should use shoes that are flexible, soft and airy in order to give the foot full support and protect it from external injuries or blisters caused from friction.

It is recommended to use cotton or special synthetic socks that prevent the absorption of natural sweat so as to prevent the development dampness and fungi on the foot and shoe.

Avoid tight socks that leave a mark on the leg and can disrupt normal blood flow.

It is possible sprinkle anti-fungal talc in the shoe to prevent the growth of fungus and bacteria.

Regularly cutting the nails (once a week) and professional treatment can prevent infections and warts. The nails have to be cut straight across and not rotnded to avoid ingrown toenails. Any itching or redness suspected as fungal should be treated immediately.

Among the significant risks of diabetes is the development of infection. The recommended treatment would be to use antiseptic foot wash soap, sprinkling talcum powder containing anti-fungal agents and applying anti-fungal medication.

Currently, a variety of over the counter anti-fungal diabetic foot treatment preparations are available. Some of them contain natural ingredients such as Australian tea tree oil. These drugs help to calm the skin, reduce redness and cure the fungus; therefore, they are excellent for diabetic foot treatment.

Avoid walking without shoes to prevent foot injury. All wounds should be treated immediately with daily monitoring until completely healthy.

It is recommended to remove shoes to air the foot during the breaks while hiking.

Foot sole thickening due to dryness may create cracks or deep grooves (especially in the heel). This dryness constitutes a substantial risk in developing foot infection which is a typical phenomenon when walking for long periods.

Today, diabetic foot treatment is based on innovative developments that are based on advanced technology which combines melatonin (a natural ingredient), an antioxidant (that accelerates the rehabilitation of the skin) and then combined with vitamins that are specific for diabetics. This combination helps in preventing and treating skin damage in the feet and reduces the risk of infection.

For those interested in the traditional treatment, you can always use old fashioned remedies that can be performed even during a trip: soak the foot for several minutes in a tub of lukewarm water and dry it while rubbing with a towel to remove dead skin.

For a diabetic in particular, the risk of eczema (an infection that may be created by scraping the skin and causing an open wound) is to be prevented. It is recommended to wash the foot with antiseptic foot soap and air dry.

Chaim Golz Is a retired Electronic and Computer Engineer. Most of his free time he is writing articles for his many websites. On his free time he is active on Nordic Walking http://www.walkingisraelis.com/ and Ham Radio with call sign 4x1cg.