Some people with diabetes may experience neuropathy, or nerve damage, which occurs due to high blood glucose levels. With this symptom, the altered sensation may mean they cannot feel the actual heat level of an electric blanket, leading to overheating or skin burns.
Electric blankets are dangerous for patients with diabetes because of the direct heat that is being applied to the body. For a person with neuropathy, they often are in danger of not realizing that the heat is too high or that their skin is being injured. A burn can quickly develop into something much worse.
Heating pads, electric blankets, hot water bottles, or even extremely hot baths can all be relaxing and soothing, but for someone with diabetes, they can be dangerous. If you already have nerve cell damage, you may not be able to tell how hot a heating pad is, and you run the risk of burning your feet.
One of the potential risks of using electric blankets is inadvertently overheating the body. Electric bedding should never be used for an infant or someone who is immobile. Certain medical conditions, including diabetes, can result in neuropathy, which arises from damage to the peripheral nerves.
New electric blankets are a minimal safety risk, but old, damaged, or improperly used electric blankets can pose a risk for fire or burns. Electric blankets can be a factor in overheating for pregnant women, and many health organizations recommend discontinuing use during pregnancy.
In most cases, when used appropriately and to manufacture guidelines, electric blankets do not pose any significant health or safety risks. If used improperly, however, electric blankets can be unsafe and even dangerous. These risks can also go up if you have children or animals in the house.
Health Concerns
Diabetic people shouldn't sleep with an electric blanket on, due to the fact that diabetics can lose sensitivity to heat in their legs and feet, which can cause burns if the blanket is turned up too high.
Extreme heat with diabetes can be dangerous. High heat affects blood glucose levels. Recently, extreme heat has been reported in the United States and Europe. Heat and moderate to high activity can make you sweat profusely, and people with diabetes may become dehydrated, leading to a rise in glucose levels.
In general, soaking in hot water has not been recommended for diabetics. Hooper theorizes this is because hot water can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure. Patients in his study were assisted by an attendant when they exited the hot tub and seated until they could walk safely.
Myth: People with diabetes can't cut their own toenails
Not true: the general advice on toenail cutting applies to everyone. If you have diabetes you should keep your nails healthy by cutting them to the shape of the end of your toes.
How can Epsom salt be dangerous for those with diabetes? There are several potentials dangers of soaking in Epsom salt for those who have type 2 diabetes. One reason is that Epsom salt can cause a drying effect on the skin. This can therefore cause the skin to crack, and leave the broken skin vulnerable to infection.
Hot water immersion acutely increases postprandial glucose concentrations - PMC. The . gov means it's official.
Heat causes dehydration which leads to high blood glucose, which then tends to result in more frequent urination, causing further dehydration — a vicious cycle. Paired with physical activity, heat may cause dramatic fluctuations in your blood glucose because heat raises that level while physical activity lowers it.
Excessive sweating in diabetes is a common symptom that is often overlooked. If you are sweating during the day, after eating, or at night, you may want to take a closer look at your blood sugar levels and make changes to your treatment regimen.
How hot weather affects blood sugar levels. Sitting in the sun for long periods can affect your diabetes because you're not being very active, making blood sugar levels higher than usual.
Consider socks made specifically for patients living with diabetes. These socks have extra cushioning, do not have elastic tops, are higher than the ankle and are made from fibers that wick moisture away from the skin. Wear socks to bed. If your feet get cold at night, wear socks.
In addition, it increases circulation around your body, helping you stay more flexible. With electric blankets, your whole body is kept perfectly cosy, giving you a relaxing and contented feeling and (if you use your blanket overnight) stopping you from feeling stiff in a morning.
Sleeping with a heated blanket can boost your mood because warmth naturally calms your body and mind. Your body uses a lot of energy to stay warm and, as a result, you may feel stressed or anxious on cold nights. Heated blankets help lower the amount of energy the body needs to keep a consistent temperature.
Rapid heartbeats occurred in 2 percent of the patients given blankets, compared with 8 percent of the others.
Take steps to stay cool (see sidebar) when it reaches 80°F in the shade with 40% humidity or above.
Diabetes can cause kidney and circulation issues that make you feel cold. Without proper treatment, diabetes can also cause nerve damage that makes you feel cold, particularly in your feet. Type 2 diabetes may involve milder symptoms than type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is also more likely to cause a cold feeling.
Swimming in cold water reduces risk of type 2 diabetes among males, study finds. Men who swim outdoors in the winter are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to those who swim in the summer, new research shows.
Drinking water regularly may rehydrate the blood, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes risk ( 20 , 21 ). Keep in mind that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best. Avoid sugar-sweetened options, as these can raise blood glucose, drive weight gain, and increase diabetes risk ( 22 , 23 ).