How nail pros can support diabetic clients
By Chloe Randall | 03 November 2023 | Expert Advice, Feature
According to charity, Diabetes UK, approximately 6% of the UK population suffer from diabetes. Learning about the condition and how to take extra care with clients who have it is key to making diabetic clients feel safe and able to enjoy their salon experience.
With World Diabetes Day honoured on 14 November, get in the know about what to look out for with diabetic clients, how it can affect their hands and feet, and how you can go above and beyond as their nail and beauty pro.
Scratch chats to the experts about what you need to know…
Why & how does it affect feet?
“If the diabetes is poorly controlled, this can lead to long periods of time with high blood sugar levels which can cause macro and micro vascular changes,” reveals Scarlet Lewis, pharmacist at Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. “This affects your extremities as the peripheral vascular disease results from narrowing of blood vessels increasing the risk for reduced or lack of blood flow in the legs.”
As a result of this, people with diabetes can experience problems with their feet and according to Diabetes UK, if people with diabetes experience any of the below problems, they need to see their diabetes specialist or GP.
- Tingling sensation or pins and needles (like numbness)
- Pain (burning sensation)
- A dull ache
- Shiny, smooth skin on your feet
- Hair loss on your legs and feet
- Loss of feeling in your feet or legs
- Swollen feet
- Your feet don’t sweat
- Wounds or sores that don’t heal
- Cramp in your calves when resting or walking
- Foul smell coming from an open wound
- Blisters and cuts that you can see but can’t feel
“Nail and beauty pros should remember that if client has a loss of sensation in their feet, they should be cautious with the water temperature, massage pressure and take extra care with cutting and filing as people with diabetes are more prone to infection,” comments Gareth Hicks, Duet Diabetes educator.
“It is also important not to undertake nail work or a treatment if the client has a nail and/or skin infection (whether bacterial or fungal), as there is a risk of spreading it to other areas as well as the contamination of equipment.
“Once the infection has been resolved, the client can then be encouraged to return for the original treatment. Softly explain to the client why you can’t carry out the service and refer them to a GP.”
Expand your knowledge
Louella Belle and DUET Diabetes have teamed up to launch the Evergreen Diabetic Foot Awareness workshop, available to view virtually in the student’s own time. After completion and passing the course and exam, the course is then certified.
This workshop covers:
- What diabetes is and associated signs and symptoms
- A brief overview of the short/long term effects (complications) of diabetes
- What is a foot ulcer?
- The observable risk factors leading to foot problems
- Suitable and unsuitable footwear for people with diabetes
- The causes of neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
- The appropriate action to take and advice to give clients
The session is pre-recorded by an experienced podiatrist from DUET Diabetes, and there are lots of downloadable resources and content to help the student take the information on board in to their job. Click here to sign up.
#NailingDiabetes 2023
To help raise awareness for World Diabetes Day on 14 November, Diabetes UK has set the challenge of encouraging people to paint their nails blue.
Simply paint nails with a blue polish and share your photo on social media using the hashtag #NailingDiabetes to help raise awareness.