Summertime and Diabetes

We can all tell that this summer is going to be a very hot one again. For individuals with diabetes, these steps are important to protect yourself and prevent complications.

Foot Care

• Check and wash your feet every day. Look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling and blisters. If you cannot see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.
• Wear shoes and socks at all times. Never walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet. Check inside your shoes before wearing them. Make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.
• Protect your feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Don’t put your feet into hot water. Test water before putting your feet in it just as you would before bathing a baby.

Hydrate with Water

There has been a lot of focus on eating a healthy diet, but many people don’t consider the health effects of what they drink. Water is better than sugary drinks for everyone, not only for people with diabetes.

Bored with water? For a refreshing summer beverage, try infused water. It’s simple to make. Just fill a pitcher with water and add sliced fruit, herbs or a combination of the two. Put the pitcher in the refrigerator for a few hours and you’ll have a crisp, refreshing drink! Try sliced oranges, lemons, strawberries, basil leaves, cucumbers, limes, honeydew melon, peaches and/or mint!

Summer Skin Protection

• Choose the right sunscreen. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which will block both UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of at least 30.
• Maximize coverage. The point of sunscreen is to cover your entire body—not just the parts you can easily reach. The average adult needs to apply at least a shot glass of sunscreen for full protection. Some often-overlooked areas: tops of the ears, bottoms of the feet, under arms, between toes, on the scalp where the hair parts, and over the scalp for those with thinning hair (consider spray sunscreen for easy application).
• Reapply often. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and any time that you emerge from water. Wearing a sensor or insulin pump? Use baby oil around the edges of an infusion set or sensor adhesive pad to loosen it from sunburned or irritated skin.
• Shade your eyes. Harmful UV rays can damage your eyesight, so wearing sunglasses is a must, especially if you have retinopathy or cataracts. Look for labels that say the lenses protect against 99-100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
• Tend to wounds. If you have foot ulcers or other wounds on your skin, don’t cover them with sunscreen. Instead, ensure the wounds are clean and cover them with a bandage. In addition to blocking harmful rays, the bandage will keep bacteria from entering the wound.
• Mind your meds. Certain antibiotics, heart medications, anti-inflammatories and some blood pressure drugs may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Many sulfonylureas, used to treat type 2 diabetes, also increase sun sensitivity.
• Treat sunburns immediately. If the skin is peeling, it’s always good to keep lotions on it so it doesn’t crack and open up a spot for infections. For pain relief, take an anti-inflammatory medication, then slather aloe over the burn.

Following these tips can help you enjoy your summer without worrying about diabetes-related health complications.