What could be more relaxing than a foot soak and a pedicure? But for people with diabetes, precautions should be taken to avoid scratching or cutting the skin during a spa or facial, which will not only provide greater peace of mind, but also reduce the risk of infection.
“Even a small superficial cut can cause infection because of reduced blood flow,” said Chuck Collins, a 66-year-old type 2 diabetic from Atlanta. The fact that he has the disease doesn’t stop Collins from getting a pedicure every 2 weeks at a nail salon.
To be safe, Collins bought his own set of nail care tools, such as a file and an exfoliator, just for his manicure.
He said, “The salon doesn’t use my tools to give other customers pedicures. When I come into the store, I insist that the manicurist sterilize the footbath bucket.” He also added that the manicurist knew he had diabetes.
Looking for a clean place and explaining that he has diabetes
Fred Williams, a clinical endocrinologist in Louisville, Kentucky, said that in general, it’s safe to get a manicure or pedicure at a spa or nail salon if your diabetes is well-controlled, but that you should choose your spa or nail salon carefully.
Fred said, “In general, salons or spas have different advantages and disadvantages. Ask friends who have been to a particular spa or salon. Make sure the business has good hygiene practices, changes soaks often and sterilizes tools before each use. If the salon doesn’t look right or doesn’t look clean, don’t go.”
Be sure to tell your nail technician or any spa provider that you have diabetes. Dr. Brent Bauer, medical director of the International SPA Association (ISPA), says nail technicians take extra care when providing treatments, even if they don’t feel any discomfort.
“People with diabetes also often have specific health problems other than diabetes, such as heart disease, poor circulation or nerve damage. So a diabetic with nerve damage in the foot may not feel pain during a pedicure and therefore may not be able to provide feedback to the nail technician,” Brent said.
Be wary of dangerous scratches and cuts that can cause infection
Because diabetes can cause poor blood flow to the extremities, it can be difficult for white blood cells to reach small wounds, making them difficult to heal. If a nail technician rubs too hard when removing dead skin or cleaning the heel, small wounds can appear on the skin, which can cause serious infections, Fred said.
Toenails that are embedded inward can also cause foot infections, so keep your finger (toe) nails trimmed and cleaned up neatly. Be careful when trimming your nails if you have poor blood sugar control or nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy). Tell your nail technician to be careful before he or she performs a manicure or pedicure.
Fred says, “If you cut your nails too short or cut off the soft tissue around the nail, this can open the door to infection for people who have complications such as diabetic comorbid neuropathy. Beware when using scissors, nail clippers or any tool that can cut or nick the skin.”
Fred said to visit a podiatrist if you feel uncomfortable during a manicure or while patronizing a salon or spa.
Collins, who works at a furniture retail and design store, said he wouldn’t get a pedicure if he found any cuts, scrapes or punctures on his feet. “I have to stand all day, and my doctor told me to be very careful so I don’t contaminate or cut my foot. If there is anything wrong, I will go to the doctor.”
Safely getting a spa treatment, these tips can help
Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when going to a salon or spa.
Tell the spa, salon owner or esthetician that you have diabetes before starting any treatment. Discuss your concerns or the precautions you need to take with your staff.
- Dead skin on the heel can be safely removed using a pumice stone or scrubbing tool, etc., but be gentle. Avoid using metal scrapers.
- If you have corns or calluses on your feet, tell your nail technician to gently buff or trim the skin, do not remove the tissue, and do not use any liquid callus remover.
- Make sure the water you soak in is not too hot to avoid burns, and diabetics may not feel the water temperature. The water temperature should be between 32 and 35°C. Ask your manicurist to test the water temperature before soaking your feet.
- Tell the manicurist to trim the nail with a trimming tool and then file it with a nail file to smooth it out.
- Ask the business if they clean and sanitize the footbath tub and tools after each use. If the salon or spa doesn’t look clean, don’t go.
- Tell the manicurist not to cut into the corners of the toenails, which can lead to ingrown nails and infections.
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