Managing blood sugars, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and regular checkups are all important to your health, especially when you’re living with diabetes. But wait, isn’t there something missing from this list?
Indeed there is… it’s hygiene! Hygiene is often overlooked when we think of health management but maintaining good personal hygiene is vital when it comes to your overall well-being.
Some common hygiene concerns for people with diabetes include:¹
● Tooth loss
● Gum disease
● Foot infections
● Skin infections
● Susceptibility to infection
But, don’t fret! It’s possible to lower your risk of experiencing these problems by practicing good personal hygiene. Yes, managing your blood sugar every day is a critical part of diabetes management. But, personal hygiene can also reduce the risk of complications.
There are many small and simple things you can incorporate into your daily routine that will make a big difference in the long run. Here are some top tips to help you maintain good personal hygiene.
Handwashing is Essential to Preventing Infection
Here’s the deal when it comes to handwashing. People with diabetes are immune compromised, which means they are at greater risk of getting infections.² One of the best (and easiest!) ways to prevent the spread of infection is by practicing good hygiene behaviors like hand washing. Some studies have shown that handwashing rates are lower in people with diabetes.³ Uh-oh!
Why is handwashing so important? Let us break it down.
Handwashing can help prevent the spread of infections from one person to another. Germs can be easily spread from other surfaces or people when you:⁴
● Touch an object or surface that is contaminated
● Touch your mouth, eyes, or nose with unwashed hands
● Sneeze, cough, or blow your nose and then touch other objects or people ● Eat or prepare food and drinks without washing your hands
Washing your hands is key when it comes to staying healthy and preventing infections. Here’s exactly when you should be getting soapy:
● Before you eat food
● Before, during, and after you prepare food
● After using the restroom
● After you handle pet treats or food
● After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
● Before and after treating wounds or cuts
● After you touch trash
● After touching animals
● Before and after taking care of someone else who’s sick
● After changing a diaper or helping a child use the toilet
Along with preventing infection, washing your hands before you check your blood sugar or inject insulin is important too. Washing your hands is actually recommended to make sure you get accurate results and prevent site infections.⁵
Cleansing and Moisturizing Feet
Many people with diabetes experience dry skin on their feet. Because diabetes may cause nerve damage, it also increases the risk of foot problems.⁶ Even small sores, blisters, or cuts can turn into serious infections.
Make time for daily foot care. Wash, dry, and examine the bottoms and tops of your feet. Use a gentle soap that won’t dry out your skin. Look for any blisters, cracked skin, cuts, or changes to your feet.
Don’t forget to moisturize! Use a lotion or cream designed to prevent your skin from losing moisture.
Caring for your feet daily allows you to catch small problems before they become serious. Foot care is also a great self-care method! Rubbing cream into your feet and taking the time to care for them can feel soooo luxurious after a long day.
Make foot care part of your daily routine!
Good Hygiene for Skin Care
Skin problems like dry skin, skin infections, and itchy skin can affect anyone. But these issues can be particularly problematic for people with diabetes. This is because people with diabetes can have poor blood flow and a hard time fighting off infections.⁷
Don’t panic! Skin problems can be prevented by practicing good hygiene. Here are some simple steps you can incorporate into your daily routine to practice good skincare:
● Showering or bathing regularly
● Using warm water instead of hot water
● Cleansing skin with a gentle, moisturizing cleanser
● Patting skin dry instead of rubbing
● Ensure that areas where water collects (i.e., under the arms, between the legs, between the toes, under the breasts) are fully dry
● Inspecting skin for sores, red spots, or dry areas
● Moisturize skin with a cream or lotion after showering or washing hands
● Treat any cuts or sores right away
Dental Hygiene Practices
People with diabetes are at greater risk of experiencing oral health problems, such as gum disease. Gum disease can make it harder to manage your blood sugar too! Other potential dental problems include; poor healing, burning mouth, and dry mouth.⁸
Daily dental hygiene practices can help reduce the risk of oral health problems. Along with making sure you visit your dentist at least twice a year, be sure to also practice the following dental hygiene steps:
● Brush your teeth after every meal
● Floss at least once a day
● Clean your dentures daily if you wear them
Managing blood sugar levels is essential, also when it comes to your oral health. Maintaining blood sugar in target range helps the body fight infections in the mouth and can also reduce problems with dry mouth.
All information in this article is based on the following sources:
1. Web MD, 2011. Diabetes: 5 Steps to Total Body Care. [webpage] Available at: https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/steps-total-body-care [Accessed 18/01/21].
2. Altun, İ., Erkek, Y., Demirhan, Y., Peker, A., Çetinarslan, B., 2014. Hygiene behavior in persons with type 2 diabetes. Letter to the Editor, [online] Available at: https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(14)00183-7/fulltext
3. Hahn, M.A., 2019. Hand Hygiene Practices Among Adults with Diabetes Living in Communities: The 2015 Korea Community Health Survey. Int J Environ Res Public Health, [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6480019/.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020. When and How to Wash Your Hands. [webpage] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html [Accessed 18/01/2021].
5. NCIB, 2010. WHO Best Practices for Injections and Related Procedures Toolkit. [webpage] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK138495/ [Accessed 19/01/2021]
6. Mayo Clinic, 2020. Diabetic neuropathy. [webpage] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371580 [Accessed 08/02/2021]
7. Cleveland Clinic, 2011. Diabetes: Skin Conditions. [webpage] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/12176-diabetes-skin-conditions [Accessed 18/01/21].
8. Mount Healthy, 2021. Diabetes and Your Smile. [webpage] Available at: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/diabetes [Accessed 18/01/2021].
The mySugr website does not provide medical or legal advice. mySugr blog articles are not scientific articles, but intended for informational purposes only.
Medical or nutritional information on the mySugr website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a physician or health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
