For many patients with diabetes, skin care of the foot can be a primary concern. Neglecting skin conditions as simple as dry or cracked skin can lead to minor wounds or even ulceration.
For practitioners, the simplest of preventative measures may be the key to combating diabetic skin conditions.
In his experience, Thomas Barlis, DPM has found topical creams to be the best skin care treatment and preventative option for people with diabetes. Among the most unique of these preventative measures is DiabetiDerm Foot Rejuvenating Cream, according to Dr. Barlis.
“Diabetics are compliant with DiabetiDerm,” emphasizes Dr. Barlis, who is in private practice in Astoria, N.Y. He says he has been using DiabetiDerm in his practice for three to four years and adds that nearly half of the patients in his practice have diabetes.

Why L-Arginine HCL Is A Key Ingredient
Daily application of DiabetiDerm Foot Rejuvenating Cream rejuvenates and rehydrates the skin and stimulates the feet, according to Health Care Products, the manufacturer of the cream.
The company notes that DiabetiDerm is one of the only foot creams to include the ingredient L-Arginine HCL. A recent pilot study, published in Diabetes Care, found that L-Arginine increases blood flow and temperature in the feet. The study cites that patients with diabetes have irregularly low levels of L-Arginine, which results in impeded circulation of blood flow.
The study showed that the 12 patients who completed the study achieved improved blood flow at the metatarsal and Achilles area over two weeks.
Dr. Barlis has seen this effect in his compliant patients during their one month follow-up visit. Chris Dagrossa, DPM, who is in private practice in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has not observed these clinical effects for the year he has been using DiabetiDerm.
“I have not seen clinically increased perfusion but I do not use DiabetiDerm for this purpose,” says Dr. Dagrossa, who estimates that 30 percent of his patients have diabetes. “I use it to reverse dry skin, cracks and fissures and preventatively for wounds.”

Other Key Points To Consider
DiabetiDerm Foot Rejuvenating Cream also contains tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, and other natural botanicals. According to the manufacturer, these ingredients enhance the cream’s ability to moisturize severely cracked skin as well as soften calluses for long periods of time.
Given that DiabetiDerm has been designed specifically to aid patients with diabetes, Dr. Barlis says the product achieves better patient compliance in comparison to other topical creams.
Both Drs. Barlis and Dagrossa are in agreement that DiabetiDerm is an effective option as a preventative measure.
Dr. Barlis insists that when it comes to preventative care, a proactive approach using DiabetiDerm yields positive results. Dr. Dagrossa concurs.
“I try to educate my patients to take care of their skin to prevent irritations, cracking and wounds,” notes Dr. Dagrossa. “I have seen no drawbacks and think DiabetiDerm is an excellent product.”

For related articles, see “A Guide To Skin Conditions Of The Diabetic Foot” in the September 2004 issue of Podiatry Today. Also check out the archives at www.podiatrytoday.com.