Why must one be use extreme caution when clipping a diabetic person finger or toe nails?

I just recently became aqquainted with someone who has type 1 diabetes and, I've been a C.N.A for some time, and I am a new R.N student so I know that alot of times at work I am cautioned about the patients who have diabetes as far as clipping their nails I haven't gone far enough in my studies to learn why this is, and the question hasn't been answered adequately by any of my co- workers, but why is it that the pediatrist is the only one who can clip nails with diabeticsWhy must one be use extreme caution when clipping a diabetic person finger or toe nails?
There are several reasons one should use caution when working with a diabetic person's nails.


First of all, diabetics are prone to disorders of the feet due to nerve damage. You may cut a diabetics toenails into the quick and they may not tell you that it hurts because they can't feel anything.


Secondly, diabetics are very prone to have slower healing time. A simple snip could take weeks or months to heal.


Thirdly, diabetics are more likely to get infections due to the higher level of glucose in the bloodstream.





These are only 3 reasons that I can think of. There are probably hundreds more out there or more specifics that can be offered for these reasons at hand.





Good luck and best wishes...Why must one be use extreme caution when clipping a diabetic person finger or toe nails?
If you are diabetic you should take care to keep your feet clean and insure they are neither too moist or too dry. Do not cut your toenails. Instead, file them to be even with the end of your toe, or see a podiatrist for nail care.





With diabetics, any minor trauma can result in a problem in the foot. Even something as seemingly minor as cutting toenails or stubbing a toe can result in an infection.





This is because many diabetics have Peripheral Vascular Disease, a reduction in blood flow to the lower extremities caused by blockage in the arteries. It usually affects the lower extremities, because they are the farthest from the heart. http://www.medlaw1.com/aug_news5_02.asp
Because diabetics often don't heal well or quickly. They are at great risk of having to have their toes and/or feet amputated if they get an injury and then infection in the foot.
A fellow nursing student! Hi!





ESPECIALLY if the diabetic is one of your patients, do not clip their nails. If they are injured because of it, you are legally liable. Too big a risk! (BTW, that's the same reason we don't clip baby's nails either. Too big a chance of hurting them, and too big a liability.)





Diabetics heal slowly because of their decreased perfusion secondary to vascular disease (caused by the diabetes). They become infected easily, and cannot fight it off very well. There is a risk of them loosing their digits.
Well, I am a type 1 Diabetic and I am almost 15 years old (I had it since I was 4 years old) Just what everybody else said, but I don't have a problem like that. I think stuff like that only happens when you start to have complications from diabetes from not taking proper care of yourself.
Possible infection is the reason only Podiatrists cut the Diabetic Patient's nails. If you accidentally cut the patient, he or she could end up losing a toe or possibly the entire foot from infection. Diabetics don't heal well, or quickly.