Monsoons can be problematic for diabetics. Keep these tips handy to stay safe

When it starts to rain outside, none of us can resist hot pakoras, kachoris, samosas, and certain street foods. However, for the people who are living with diabetes, the monsoon is the season in which they have to take utmost care. The monsoon season seems very pleasant, but brings with it a whole lot of germs, infections, and other health problems.

If you’re a diabetic, you must know how a minor mistake can hamper your diabetes management routine. During this season, diabetic patients are susceptible to various types of infections, which can attack their immune system. This can affect their overall health. Therefore, diabetic patients need to be more careful. 

Follow these tips to stay healthy during the monsoon:

1. Foot care

Diabetes can be dangerous for your feet. Even a small cut can cause serious consequences. High blood sugar contributes to poor blood circulation. And this can damage nerves in your feet. This is a condition called neuropathy. Therefore, people living with diabetes should take extra precautions such as: 

• Keep your feet clean and dry especially after the exposure to rain;
• Don’t use hard plastic footwear; make sure footwear is of a comfortable material;
• Do not walk barefoot; 
• You can also give your foot and toes massage; and
• Lastly, inspect your feet every day for cracks, wounds, and sores. 

2. Eat healthy foods

During this season, diabetic patients should be careful about what they eat and drink. Make sure you eat only home-cooked food. This way, you can be sure of the hygiene, quality, and nutritional value of your food. Eat foods that boost immunity. 

Make sure of these things:

• Avoid consuming raw foods and make sure to steam them before eating;
• Wash all fruits and veggies before you eat them;
• Cravings for deep-fried snacks should be ignored;
• Avoid street foods because this can lead to a risk of infection;
• Also, avoid overeating. 

3. Stay hydrated

The monsoon season is known for its humid weather, so keeping yourself hydrated is a must. Drinking plenty of water can do wonders for the health of a person diagnosed with diabetes. Drink warm water if you want to avoid any risk of water-borne diseases. And make sure you avoid bottled beverages. Instead, you can consume coconut water. 

Also, read: Experiencing a dry mouth? Then it can be one of the tell-tale signs of diabetes

4. Don’t give up on exercising

No excuses for exercise, people! However, due to the comfortable weather, you may feel like staying in your bed most of the time. Regular exercise can help improve insulin sensitivity, promote weight loss, improve blood sugar levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease— thus allowing you to manage diabetes at home. 

5. Treat cuts right away

In the monsoon, the chances of scrapes, bruises, and cuts increase. Use mild soap to clean them and antibiotic creams or ointments to help wounds heal quickly.

6. Eye care

Eye infections are inevitable during the monsoon season, especially if you’re suffering from any disease. Here are some simple eye care tips you can follow:

• Never touch your eyes with dirty hands;
• Wash your hands frequently to ensure soiled hands do not infect the eyes;
• Having a nutritious diet can keep infections at bay; and
• You should get an eye check-up, in case of any problem. 

Be careless during the monsoon can welcome a number of problems. So be careful!