Diabetes: Is it true that I should avoid electric blankets?

Why do electric blankets have warning labels that say people with diabetes shouldn't use them? What is the danger?

- Donna / Illinois

Answer

Many people with diabetes have some type of nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), which can lead to a loss of feeling, usually in your legs and sometimes your arms. As a result, you may not be able to sense if an electric blanket or heating pad is too hot and inadvertently burn yourself.

If you would like to use an electric blanket, it is safest to use it to warm up your bed before you get in, but then turn it off or remove it before you climb in.

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