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January 4, 2004

Type 2

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Question from Mobile, Alabama, USA:

My husband has type 2 diabetes and has problems with his legs. He has lost the big toe on his left foot due to the disease. His daughter-in-law told him it’s bad for him to sleep under an electric blanket, and that it could cause him to have a blood clot. Is this true? Is the heat from the blanket harmful to him?

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

I doubt the heat from the electric blanket put him at risk for toe amputations or blood clots. Individuals with diabetes that have amputations develop those problems because of a combination of poor blood supply and an inability to feel pain and reverse something that is causing damage to the tissues. As a result of the diabetes, they may have problems fighting off the infection once a serious one occurs. If blood supply is limited, it is also difficult to get antibiotics into the infected areas. What should be avoided with the electric blanket is any situation where the skin is in direct contact with the heating elements that would cause a burn to the tissues. This can be avoided by testing the blanket with the hands or having another person test it. Obviously, any condition where the heating blanket would burn the skin needs to be avoided.

JTL