Diabetes and Pedicures

[solo-nails]

I have a client that wants me to do a pedicure on her mom who has diabetes.
Other than being cautious to not cut her or being too ambitious with the massage, is there any other suggestions anyone has to doing a pedicure with clients with diabetes?

 

[sukic]

The only other thing I can think of is double check the temperature of the water before soaking her feet, she may not feel if its too hot. hth

 

[eden_beauty]

To be honest i have always been told that as therapists we should not do pedicures on clients with diabetes - there are doctors that do this for diabetics as diabetics nails are very very hard to cut so they use special tools that we don't have (this is what one of my clients told me and she is diabetic) HTH - I'd be interested to know if this applies to type one and type two diabetes. Lisa

 

[LADY STARDUST]

I too was told not to carry out treatments on diabetics without a letter from the GP as insurance will not cover you...xXx

 

[footwoman]

As a Chiropodist/Podiatrist I can see no reason why you should not give a pedicure to a diabetic person provided that :-

a) you have been trained to do it
b) your insurance will cover you to do it
c) you know the contraindications for treatment and can recognise them
d) they have normal non-pathogenic nails

if you have any doubts at all refer on a an HPC registered Chiropodist/Podiatrist
www.hpc-uk.org you will be able to find one in your location by accessing www.feetforlife.org

Hope that helps.

 

[kate08]

I am a nail tech that has type 1 diabetes, on a personal level i think its unfair to say not to treat people with diabetes, if the person is healthy in themselves and looks after their feet then why not! Why should diabetics miss out!!

From a professional point of view..... i would check the feet first and explain that some aspects of the treatment, i.e. lots of heat, massage etc will be shortened, but make a fuss of the other aspects polishing, nail art etc! So they still feel they are getting a good service.

I think its going to be obvious if the client hasn't looked after their feet and if they are in a bad way then steer clear, but i would say that goes for anyone! We aren't miracle workers!!

 

[eden_beauty]

Thats true but again the issue of insurance is a big one as i don't think we can get cover to carry out treatment on diabetic people as its been policy that we don't.

I wouldn't risk it when another professional in the medical area can do it. It sucks for them i know but actually it shows professionalism on the therapist part to decline treatment as you can explain it because we are caring for their needs by not doing it.
There are contraindications to lots of treatments and when we see them we either avoid the localized area or stop treatment and in this case we would not do treatment.

I'm pretty sure it was one of the major no no contraindications when we all studied to become therapists and i don't think its changed?

 

[jenniferlouise]

i think i would get her to sign a waver (if thats the right word) form so you are not held responsible . obviously explaining that diabetes is a contra-indication xxx

 

[jenniferlouise]

diabetics do have terrible problems with feet legs bleeding numbness, (i know of one lady who had her leg amputated because of severe diabetes...,etc., etc., i think i would probably not do it. xxx

 

[pamper yourself]

I am a nail tech that has type 1 diabetes, on a personal level i think its unfair to say not to treat people with diabetes, if the person is healthy in themselves and looks after their feet then why not! Why should diabetics miss out!!

From a professional point of view..... i would check the feet first and explain that some aspects of the treatment, i.e. lots of heat, massage etc will be shortened, but make a fuss of the other aspects polishing, nail art etc! So they still feel they are getting a good service.

I think its going to be obvious if the client hasn't looked after their feet and if they are in a bad way then steer clear, but i would say that goes for anyone! We aren't miracle workers!!

Actually anyone who can answer this. What about exfoliation? Should it be avoided?