Answer to Readers Question: It is very important that when you go shoe shopping and you have diabetes to consider how “they feel” versus “how they look”. Do not be concerned about fashion a fashion statement at this time.

Diabetes causes high levels of glucose (blood sugar), which can damage the nerves leading to the feel and also reduce the supply of blood. This condition is known as neuropath, a diabetic may not be able to feel abrasions and other foot injuries. The poor blood flow can set the stage for infections and slow healing injuries.

Wearing shoes that do not fit well can cause a blister and often turns into a deeper wound in normal circumstances, but when you have diabetes, you may not even feel the injury and this can lead to a serious infection that if not treated could require an amputation.

Diabetic shoe shopping is really simple:

• It is recommended that you visit a shoe store and ask the staff member to measure your foot and to find the shoe that fits your properly.
• Check with your doctor and ask for a recommendation as to the type of shoe you should purchase.
• Go for comfort and make sure the shoe feels good when you try them on.
• Choose a rounded toe because it will give you plenty of room and not cram you feet into a shoe that is too small.
• The shoe should have a thick sole that offers good shock abortion. Make sure that the soles are not too flimsy.
• There are shoe make especially for people with diabetes. The shoe lack seams on the inside that could rub your feet and can be fitted with special insoles that better distribute pressure on the sole of your foot.
• When you first get your new shoes, take them off often and thoroughly inspect your feet to ensure that your are not developing blisters or red spots on your feet. You diabetes could prevent you from feeling these injuries.
• If you have insurance or are covered by Medicare, find out if you are covered for a pair of diabetic shoes.

Witch Hazel is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps tighten pores and reduce swelling. Witch Hazel has been supposed to owe its utility to an action on the muscular fiber of veins. The distilled extract from the fresh leaves and young twigs forms an excellent remedy for internal or external uses, being beneficial for bleeding from the lungs and nose, as well as from other internal organs.

Witch hazel water contains a trace of essential oil consisting of eugenol, carvacrol, and probably similar compounds. However, as it is a steam distillate, it does not contain tannins.

Witch Hazel can be used to soothe down the pain of sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy blisters, windburn, sprained muscles, etc. Witch hazel has long been used to treat hemorrhoids. Both European and American herbalists use witch hazel both as an internal and topical remedy.

Witch hazel, the famous astringent herb, is full of tannins, gallic acids, and essential oils. While you can take it internally as tea, it is best to make a strong decoction for use as a compress. Witch Hazel provided early pioneers with medicine and cosmetics. Millions of gallons of extract from the plant’s leaves are sold yearly. Witch Hazel has been rubbed on piles, skin disorders, and joints, and has been consumed for sore throat, bronchial discharges, diarrhea, and uterine hemorrhages. It has also been used to “soothe” the nerves and “tone” the system.

Witch-hazel was subsequently used by the early European settlers in similar ways. A tea of the leaves was employed for a variety of medicinal purposes. Witch-Hazel may have a single trunk up to 1′ across, or there may be several ascending branches at its base. The trunk and/or larger branches are grey, relatively smooth, and slightly wrinkled.

I have personally used witch hazel as a cotton eye compress and found it very smoothing and relaxing.

Whether you’re a traveler seeing the sights, or someone with a job that involves more or less constant walking, or standing on your feet all day, you’ll soon forego a “fashion” shoe in favor of a pair which does not result in painful feet.

This is not to say that a good pair of walking shoes must, of necessity be an ugly things you wouldn’t wear for anything else. In the United States, people don’t generally walk as much as people in other countries. Walking shoes today can actually border on being stylish, but with the benefit and value of true comfort.

Once you’ve returned from an outing of hiking around the hills or parks and find you need to soak your feet to relieve the pain of your afternoon’s enjoyment, you’ll be in the market for a pair of good, sensible walking shoes. So how can you know what to look for?

A soft leather, shaped like your foot is your best bet for the traveler who will be walking miles in the course of their vacation. A slipper style is best suited to this type of walking. This means that the shoe should have a firm construction and rounded toes with a proper fit in length.

If your requirements involve hiking over hill and dale out in the country, you’ll want walking shoes with a higher cuff to give the support you’ll need around your ankles. Depending upon how often you engage in this activity, the relative softness or stiffness should stand up to the wear you’ll give the shoes. If you’ll be trekking through the wilderness and camping in the snow, you’ll want a thicker leather with waterproofing material. This type of walking shoe may require that you break them in on short jaunts before subjecting your feet to miles of walking in a brand new pair of walking shoes.

If your profession requires that you be on your feet for a full eight hours every day, such as in the case of a nurse or waitress, there are shoes designed especially for the purpose. These styles of walking shoes tend to be more utilitarian and less fashionable. However, they are also carefully designed to give you the comfort you need to avoid foot problems over time. Again, soft leathers with firm support and toe sections which are rounded, just like your foot, are de rigueur. Besides, if you’re in one of these professions, its unlikely people are focusing on your shoe style quotient.

de rigueur – necessary according to etiquette, protocol or fashion.

Whatever your walking activities may entail, if you walk extensively, be sensible and look for an attractive and above all, comfortable pair of walking shoes. Your feet will thank you!