Help clear my confusion please!

[ChooSoul]

Which type of patient is it okay to put lotion between toes?

I know diabetics are not recommended to put lotion between toes.

How about if a person has PVD - peripheral vascular disease-? Isnt the reason why diabetics are not recommended to put lotion between their toes because of the associated PVD from diabetes?

I'm so confused.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

because warm moist cervices can harbor/feed fungal infection that diabetics have a predisposition to develop.

[ChooSoul]

because warm moist cervices can harbor/feed fungal infection that diabetics have a predisposition to develop.

SO, if a patient has PVD you should tell them to put lotion on their feet especially in between the toes?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Foot Care Guidelines

Every day, examine your legs as well as the tops and bottoms of your feet and the areas between your toes. Look for any blisters, cuts, cracks, scratches or other sores. Also check for redness, increased warmth, ingrown toenails, corns and calluses. Use a mirror to view the leg or foot if necessary, or have a family member look at the area for you.

Once or twice a day, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to your legs and soles and top of your feet to prevent dry skin and cracking. Do not apply lotion between your toes or on areas where there is an open sore or cut. If the skin is extremely dry, use the moisturizing cream more often. Care for your toenails regularly. Cut your toenails after bathing, when they are soft. Cut toenails straight across and smooth with a nail file.

Google is your friend

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Quote from Esme12

because warm moist cervices can harbor/feed fungal infection that diabetics have a predisposition to develop.

SO, if a patient has PVD you should tell them to put lotion on their feet especially in between the toes?

Exactly backwards. You tell them NOT to put lotion between the toes. They need dry, intact skin, but not so dry that it cracks. No moisture between the toes; often we use soft little tufts of lamb's wool (not synthetic cotton balls) to promote evaporation.

[mevsmom]

Piggy backing off this question.

If you have a diabetic with crust build up between the toes of dead skin or whatever substance from what appears to be lack of care how do you get it out?

I used a wash cloth to gently floss it out and then dry between each toe after cleansing. I know you aren't supposed to get the toes wet like that but I couldn't possibly leave it there.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

They key is not to leave it wet when you are done. Of course we need some sort of solvent to loosen and remove toe jam and other detritus-- lotion, water, whatever isn't going to hurt or make things worse. Just be sure that when you're done flossing, you leave those toesies nice and dry, and surfaces separated with something light and soft to allow air to circulate.