The people who suffer from the diabetes disease have to be careful about what they use and what they do not use when they are diabetic. Because diabetes is a complicated condition leading to a host of complications in the body and one such condition is diabetic foot problems. In this article, we shall analyze and understand whether or not a diabetics should use Epsom salt which is generally put in water and used for soaking of the feet in that water.

So, come and join in for the article “Can Diabetics Use Epsom Salt?”

What is Epsom Salt?

The other name for the Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate and the same is sometimes used by people to get rid of sore muscles, bruises, as well as other problems. The most common way of using Epsom salt is to soak the same in your baths.

Reasons for Use of Epsom Salt

Most of the people use the salt for the following multiple reasons:

• To get rid of swelling and sore muscles
• To remove the splinters
• The salt is also known to provide relief from sunburn
• The body absorbs the magnesium from the Epsom salt through the skin. Hence, the salt is sometimes used as a replacement for the mineral

Benefits of Epsom Salt for Diabetes Patients

The following are some of the benefits that Epsom salt can have on those who suffer from diabetes:

• The effectiveness of the hormone Insulin improves in the body when Epsom salt reaches the body
• The same also helps in regulating the desired levels of blood sugar or glucose
• When you soak your feet in Epsom salt, you tend to feel fresh and stress-free. These are important for effectively managing diabetes
• Finally, if you are deficient in magnesium, soaking water in Epsom salt is an effective way through which the element can reach your body

Thus, the salt does have some benefits for those who suffer from diabetes. Having said that, it is important to consider the following risks and taking adequate recommendations from your doctor about the use of Epsom salt in diabetes.

Why Can’t Diabetics Use Epsom Salt?

Well, irrespective of a lot of benefits that this chemical has on the individuals, a person with diabetes should not use the salt unless his or her medical doctor so advises. There are not any studies to support the theory of Epsom salt benefits in diabetes. The most important reason is the common complication of foot problems that diabetes can cause in the patient.

Foot Problems Faced by the Diabetics

When you are a diabetes patient, you not only face the following foot problems but also these lead to infections in the patients:

• Blisters
• Hammertoe
• Fungal infections
• Dry skin around the foot area so much so that the skin starts cracking
• Bunions
• Ingrown toenails
• Athlete’s foot
• Redness and pus on the skin
• Delayed healing of the various foot problems
• Other foot-related deformities

Diabetes not only leads to the above conditions but if the foot problems are not looked after in an adequate manner, diabetes will cause another complication in the patients which is known as gangrene. Gangrene is a stage in the foot problem where the surrounding tissues cease to function causing a blackish color which eventually leads to a foul smell.

The reasons for these type of foot problems is that when you have diabetes, you often tend to suffer from what is known as peripheral artery disease. When you have this condition, the circulation of blood in different parts of the body become poor. The condition leads to the blood vessels carrying the blood to the feet getting narrowed and damaged. Hence, this, in turn, leads to various foot-related problems.

As a result of all the above-mentioned conditions, the people who suffer from diabetes should avoid soaking their feet in Epsom salt:

• The feet tend to become all the drier when you do soak the same in Epsom salt
• When you soak your feet for a long time in Epsom salt, the cracks on the surface of your foot tend to open up. This then becomes a safe passage for infection-causing germs to seep in
• People often argue that when you have diabetes, your body may not have the required amount of magnesium and thus, soaking your feet in Epsom salt helps with the same. However, to build up the required levels of magnesium, you should rather go for oral replacements of magnesium and not Epsom salt

Some Tips to take Care of Your Foot When You are Diabetic

The following are a few basic tips that will help you avoid diabetes-related foot issues:

• You should check your feet on a regular basis for dry skin and cracks
• You should keep your feet clean and wash the same daily
• Your toenails should not be allowed to grow too long. If they happen to grow long, they can peer into the skin which is not very healthy.
• Check your shoes before putting on the same. Try to remove any unwanted objects that can hurt your feet
• You should also take the necessary steps to improve the circulation of blood in and around the area. Some tips include:
• Do not sit in one place continuously for a long period of time
• Exercise regularly
• Always try to keep your feet up while you sit

By keeping in mind some of the above tips, you can keep your foot problems at bay.

Thus, we hope that the above article has been helpful in improving your understanding of the relationship between diabetes and Epsom salt. Epsom salt, otherwise considered healthy, should not be used by a person suffering from diabetes. You should consult your doctor for the same and unless he otherwise prescribes, the use of Epsom salt should be prevented!