When
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the beginning of the year I
felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster. Angry at myself for
not making changes to my health and lifestyle before especially
knowing that I was at risk thanks to PCOS, high BMI and gestational
diabetes in one pregnancy. Upset and tearful about living with type 2
diabetes. Worried about how this chronic illness would affect my
health.
One
of the health implications of diabetes that I was very worried about
was its impact on my feet. From the basic knowledge I had of diabetes
was that if not controlled, proper foot care not followed and medical
treatment not accessed for foot problems that some diabetics end up
having to have their feet or legs amputated. Fear of loosing my feet
or legs overwhelmed me.
Shockingly
Diabetes.org state that there are more than 20 leg, foot or toe
amputations each day due to diabetes, with four out of five of these
amputations being preventable.
At
my first annual foot check fortunately all was well and I was given
lots of advice on how to care for my feet especially on improving the
dry skin I have on the heels of my feet.
Compared
to life prediabetes diagnosis when foot care was not very important
to me; simply washing them,cutting toenails and painting my nails,
looking after my feet is now vital. I must admit I have a slight
dislike to feet and really struggle to give them much attention. But
I have to change that attitude and embrace caring for my feet.
Having
healthy feet and giving them TLC on a daily basis is as important to
me as taking my diabetic medication regularly as prescribed, watching
what I eat, trying to lose weight and exercising more.
Getting
my blood sugars under control, eating a healthy diet and being more
active are positive steps I have been able to adopt which will
hopefully prevent foot problems. Checking my feet daily, being
careful when cutting my nails, ensuring my footwear fits correctly
and knowing the importance of seeking medical advice for foot
problems have seen me take positive steps in looking after my feet.
The
only thing I have found difficult is that knowing which foot creams
to use. It is a minefield knowing which foot care products are good
for diabetic feet, effective yet gentle on ensuring feet are free
from dry, hard skin as well as help keep feet healthy.
Thankfully
Dr Anders and her luxury professional foot care products are here to
help keep my feet happy and healthy.
Dr
Anders
Dr
Judith Anders is a renowned podiatrist with over 20 years experience
in the field of podiatry with vast experience dealing with diabetic
foot health as a specialist diabetes podiatrist. Even after 20 years
working as a podiatrist she says she continues “to be inspired by
how incredible our feet are”. Fascinated by how they function she
is also aware and humbled by the impact foot problems can have on
people’s lives.
During
her career in the NHS she developed a keen interest in treating
people with diabetes and worked as a team treating people with
serious foot problems. Passionate about promoting change and a
greater understanding of the challenges people with diabetes face her
PhD was entitled “Understanding Perceptions of Foot Health in
Diabetes”. Aware of diabetes related foot problems such as nerve
damage caused by unstable blood sugars and reduced response to
infections, she is on a mission to educate people on the importance
of foot health for diabetics.
She
highlights the fact that many of us don’t take foot health as
serious as we should especially as our feet work hard for us every
day and foot problems are common. In her belief if we looked after
our feet a little better many foot problems could be prevented.
“My
mission is to help you understand how foot problems occur and enable
you to take better care of your feet. If you feel them, check them,
connect with them you may start to nurture them a little more, surely
they deserve that!” - Dr Judith Anders
Simply
put if you feel your feet you will get to know them well and notice
any problems including diabetes-related issues earlier which will
help the chances of getting medical treatment sooner and prevent
serious complications.
Feel
Your Feet
In
her desire to help educate people about the importance of foot care
and provide people a portal to share their foot related stories Dr
Anders created the Feel Your Feet online foot health community.
Dedicated to driving awareness of preventable foot problems the
innovative Feel Your Feet website is also a supportive community
where people can discuss concerns they have and share how foot
problems have impacted on their life. Hopefully the groundbreaking
Feel Your Feet community will break down stigmas surrounding foot
problems so that people can feel confident about looking after their
feet and no embarrassment about seeking help and medical treatment
for foot problems before dire complications arise.
Dr
Anders Podiatrist Professional range of foot care products
As
Dr Anders believes that foot care should be a pleasure not a chore
she spent years developing her Dr Anders range of clinically
effective, unisex, indulgent and luxury foot care products.
Using
her scientific knowledge and podiatry experience she selected the
purest naturally derived ingredients for her products to ensure that
they were safe, gentle, non-irritant, free from harmful toxic
chemicals and suitable for all skin types. Made in the UK her
products are also cruelty free as they are not tested on animals. The
ingredients used to create her 3 ethical foot care products offer
exceptional benefits to feet by replenishing, soothing, moisturising
and softening in a gentle way whilst also leaving your feet feel and
smell fabulous.
Conditioning
nail treatment
The
Dr Anders Conditioning Nail Treatment is designed to strengthen the
nails, condition and improve brittleness. It contains sodium
thiosulphate to help combat hardness, antimicrobial Dermosoft® (a
natural antimicrobial ingredient which improves the appearance of the
nails) and a blend of castor, grapeseed and sunflower oil to
condition and improve brittleness. Regular use of the nail treatment
is improves the appearance of the nails, reduces the thickness and
makes them softer and easier to manage and cut which in turns helps
prevent ingrown toenails.
As
I can attest to the fact that my toenails especially my big toe nails
are so tough and difficult to cut which has caused me worry now that
I am diabetic and have to be careful when cutting toenails I was keen
to see if this conditioning nail treatment would really make them
softer and easier to manage.
Using
the handy brush the conditioning nail treatment is very easy to
apply, a little goes a long way and the creamy product is quickly
absorbed. I have used the nail treatment for a few weeks and I am
delighted with the results. The nails are softer to cut yet feel and
healthier and stronger. My nails look better than they have in many,
many years. Being a diabetic and worrying about cutting my nails I
will most definitely continue to use the Dr Anders Conditioning Nail
Treatment to make cutting nails easier and help improve the overall
health of my toenails.
Intensive
Rescue Balm
The
Dr Anders Intensive Rescue Balm is designed to safely and effectively
tackle problematic hard skin, hydrate, restore suppleness and
moisturise. It contains Urea to nourish and break down hardened,
callused skin and eliminate cracks and fissures. It is enriched with
a blend of olus oil, colloidal oat and nourishing vitamin E which
helps soothe inflammation. Dermosoft ® decalact a natural
antimicrobial ingredient and Thuja occidentalis extract known to have
antifungal and antiviral activity improves the condition of the skin
and protects against infection.
For
effective results you apply the balm twice a day to dry, thickened
and rough skin. The cream feels silky and creamy and the light,
non-greasy formula absorbs quickly into the skin providing intense
hydration. It smells lovely with a fresh, natural fragrance. The
fragrance highlights the fact that it is made with natural, pure
ingredients and it is refreshing to have a moisturising balm that is
not an artificial perfume scent.
As
I am heavy on my feet and have built up years of hardened skin not
helped by my love of walking barefoot whenever and wherever I can
which have not been shifted by any other foot product before I was
not expecting much if any positive results. But my doubts were
unfounded and I have been proven wrong. After a few days my feet felt
smoother and after a couple of weeks I have had astonishing results
with the hardened skin gone and my feet looking healthier, hydrated
and feeling silky smooth. It is astonishing the results the product
has provided with natural ingredients and I love that it has helped
overhaul my feet to make them look and feel healthier in a gentle yet
very effective way. I think this product is amazing if your feet need
intense care. As I now realise foot care is a long term job I will
continue to regularly use the balm to keep my feet in tip top
condition and give them some luxurious pampering.
Nourishing
Daily Therapy
The Dr Anders Nourishing Daily Therapy is designed to nourish and restore
dry problem skin. It contains an unique blend of rejuvenating organic
coconut, olus and tamanu oils to effectively hydrate and promote
healthy, soft and supple skin, whilst helping to reduce redness and
irritation.
For
nourishing daily therapy you spray a light mist of the oil
formulation all over your feet, paying particular attention to dry,
hardened skin (hardened, thickened skin comprising the skin’s
ability to get moisture from the deep layers of skin) and then
massage into the skin.
The
lightweight oil feels velvety-soft and absorbs well into the skin
when massaging. Whilst I did not find the nourishing daily therapy to
be a luxuriously pampering as the intensive rescue balm it has helped
my feet feel hydrated and after a long day on my feet it has helped
soothe my ache feet by leaving them feel cooled and soothed. I did
not notice much difference to my feet at the beginning which I think
was down to the fact that I had such hard skin on my feet but once
the intensive rescue balm worked its magic the benefits of this
product has started to shine through with my feet looking hydrated
and nourished.
Future
foot care routine
As
I have had such positive results from all of the products they will
continue to be part of my future foot care routine. Not only do I
love them due to the fact that they have been so effective but
because they are gentle and use natural ingredients. Using the
products to give my feet some TLC and a little relaxing massage is a
great excuse and reminder to look at my feet to check their condition
for any damage or problem areas and overall health which helps me
ensure my daily routine of feel my feet is done. Hopefully by
following the feel your feet campaign and using these high, quality
foot care products which are ideal for diabetics I will be able to
keep my feet health, prevent foot problems and reduce my risk of
developing serious foot complications.
Put
your best foot forward today and Feel Your Feet!
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