With the holidays rapidly approaching and the colder temperatures settling in, are you thinking about how to keep your feet healthy this winter? Let’s discuss which features and ingredients to look for in a diabetic foot cream that will keep you on your feet this holiday season.

What Do You Need From Your Foot Cream?

Trying to decide which cream is best for your feet can be overwhelming. The number of options available in stores and online can be difficult to navigate, and you may be hesitant to spend money on a product that might not work as well as you’d hoped. Narrowing down your search based on your skin-care needs will make this process easier.

The most common foot complications experienced by people with diabetes are dry skin, cracked skin, and pain caused by neuropathy. The first step in choosing a foot cream is determining which problem you want to solve.

#1 Dry Skin

Many people with diabetes experience problematic dry skin that is itchy and irritating, especially during the coldest months of the year. Leaving dryness untreated is uncomfortable and can make the skin fragile and more prone to cuts and cracks. Look for creams containing these ingredients if you want to manage your dry skin:

• Urea: A naturally occurring substance in the body. When applied in a cream, urea helps retain moisture in the top layer of skin. Lotions with higher concentrations of urea (>10%) can also reduce dead skin buildup.
• Aloe: Naturally moisturizing and has anti-inflammatory properties.

#2 Cracked Skin

If you have diabetes, your doctor has probably warned you of the dangers of open wounds on your feet. Cracked skin can introduce harmful bacteria into the body and cause an infection.

Dryness can be hard to manage in the winter season, and you may need additional protection if your skin becomes cracked.

Creams with these ingredients protect small areas of -open skin by forming a water-resistant barrier that locks in moisture and prevents bacteria from entering:

• Petroleum Jelly or White Petrolatum
• Dimethicone

If you have large wounds on your feet, it is best to seek the guidance of a podiatrist or wound-care nurse for treatment. They will provide you with a personalized care plan and supplies to heal your feet safely.

#3 Pain Relief

Tingling and shooting pain in the feet is a symptom of diabetic neuropathy. This pain can disrupt your daily activities and make falling asleep difficult.

There are a few products on the market that can help relieve neuropathic pain, and they typically contain one of these ingredients:

• Lidocaine: A medication that numbs the nerves near the skin’s surface. Over-the-counter concentrations are available up to 4%.
• Capsaicin: A naturally occurring substance found in hot peppers. When applied to the skin, it creates a warming sensation that may be soothing for some people. Others may find capsaicin irritating, so it is best to test this cream on a small area of skin first.

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Foot Care Tips

• Choose a fragrance-free cream. Added scents and perfumes can irritate sensitive skin and cause dryness.
• Do not apply creams between your toes. Although keeping skin moisturized is good for your foot health, too much moisture in the wrong places can lead to infections. Only apply creams to the tops and bottoms of your feet, and keep the spaces between your toes dry.
• Protect your skin from the sun. Some of the ingredients found in foot creams can make your skin more sensitive to harmful UV rays. If your feet are exposed to sunlight for more than 15 minutes, be sure to apply sunscreen with SPF to any exposed skin.  

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Recommended Diabetic Foot Creams

The team at Siren knows how busy this time of year is, and we know that you might not have the time to read the ingredients on the back of every lotion bottle.

We have compiled a list of 5 Diabetic Foot Creams and their best uses to help make your search a little easier.

      Gold Bond Diabetics' Dry Skin Relief Lotion

• Use for Dry skin or skin Protection

       CeraVe Diabetics Moisturizing Body Cream for Dry Skin

• Use for Dry skin

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       Aspercreme Lidocaine Diabetic Foot Creme

• Use for Pain Relief

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       Neoteric Diabetic Skin Care Advanced Healing Cream

• Use for skin Protection
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       Equate Beauty Diabetic Lotion Dry Skin Therapy

• Most Affordable
• Use for Dry Skin or Skin Protection

Sources:

American Podiatric Medical Association. Winter Foot Care. n.d.

Baylor College of Medicine. Using aloe vera has multiple benefits. Published March 21st, 2018.

Celleno, L. Topical urea in skincare: A review. Dermatologic Therapy. Published October 30th, 2018.

Intermountain Healthcare. Diabetic Foot Problems. Updated 2018.

WebMD. White Petrolatum-Mineral Oil-Uses, Side Effects, and More. n.d.