Foot Care – Something we don’t often think about but should?

Foot Care is Important but not often thought about:

Every day we are walking, running, and moving around.  We get around by using our feet, and yes, they were made for walking.  Although we always assume that they will be firmly planted on the ground, we hardly ever take the time to think about how important foot care is.  Functional and complex, our feet make up a quarter of the body’s bones, more than a fifth of the body’s joints and a twentieth of the body’s muscles.  It’s no secret that our feet take a beating as they walk through life. There is one very important question that we should be asking ourselves.  Is foot care important and if so, why?

Since our feet support our bodies, we can’t tiptoe around the fact that it is of vital importance that we keep our feet healthy. Having problems and complications with the feet, could have a negative impact on the rest of the body.  It could lead to health complications down the line, and in severe cases, loss of mobility.

Here are a few health issues that we can be aware of to help ensure good foot health.

Problems with toenails

Although these problems are not life-threatening, having problems with toenails can cause great discomfort.  Ingrown toenails can result in surgery, financial loss, and a great amount of pain.  The symptoms of an ingrown toenail often include swelling, redness and infection around the nail, and pain along both sides of the nail.  In case of an ingrown toenail, it is important to see a podiatrist.  Toenails can bring other issues too, such as fungal nail infections.  Toenails that suffer from these infections often become thick and discoloured.  They could also become brittle leading to them cracking and breaking easily.  The good news is that there are anti fungal creams available that can help treat fungal nail infections.

Joint and nerve issues around the toes

Pain and numbness around the toes could indicate a health issue.  These could possibly include hammertoe, bunions, or a pinched nerve in the toe, called a neuroma.  It is important to see your podiatrist if you are experiencing pain or numbness around your toes or in the soles of your feet.

Skin conditions of the feet

It is not uncommon to develop skin conditions on your feet.  These conditions, however, could cause great discomfort and should be treated.  These conditions include: Athlete’s foot, warts, and psoriasis. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection.  It causes itchy, burning and sometimes flaky skin.  It usually starts between the toes and can easily spread if left untreated.  Fortunately, an over-the-counter tropic antifungal cream will help to treat Athlete’s foot.  Plantar warts are found on the soles of the feet.  They can be quite tender.  The most effective way of treating plantar warts seem to be with use of liquid nitrogen.  If you are suffering from plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist about treatment.  Psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, including the feet.  The condition causes sensitive, red, and dry patches.  If left untreated, it can worsen to the point where the skin might crack open, and bleeding can occur.  This will lead to great pain and difficulty walking.

Injuring the foot

You run happily on the beach and your ankle gives way.  The swelling starts almost instantly.  This has happened to most of us, and it is something that in most cases can’t be avoided. A foot or ankle sprain, fracture or strain can be extremely painful and great care needs to be taken to ensure that it will heal well.  Muscles and tendons can be injured unexpectedly, too.  This can make it very uncomfortable to move around and it can result in restricted movement.  If you have injured your foot or ankle, it’s best to see a podiatrist.

Arthritis

Arthritis can be very painful and in extreme cases, it can lead to immobility, especially if it is in the feet.  It is important that we are aware of the symptoms of Arthritis.  They include painful, swollen, stiff, and red joints.  Difficulty moving a joint and sudden changes to the skin can also be symptoms of Arthritis.  People who show signs of Arthritis should consult with a podiatrist to discuss treatment options.

Diabetes

Since diabetes can cause raised blood glucose, diabetes can have a great impact on foot health.  Raised blood sugar can damage the sensations, as well affecting the circulation in the feet.  This can lead to less blood supply in the feet.  Diabetes can also cause nerve damage in the feet.  This is called diabetic neuropathy.  It can lead to a loss of feeling in the feet.  This could be extremely problematic since there won’t be any tell tale signs of harm being done to the foot. People who are suffering from diabetic neuropathy to the point where they don’t have any feeling in their feet, won’t feel a sharp rock inside of their shoe for example. Diabetic neuropathy is a very serious condition that in extreme cases can lead to amputation.  People who suffer from this should consult their podiatrist.  This is also a reason why Well Heeled’s own Shaped Up Diabetic Socks can also help some people.

Diabetic socks are generally less restrictive than ‘normal’ socks, helping circulation.  In some countries, there are also further regulated compression socks, such as in the USA those that are FDA regulated and included gradient compression, that can aid other leg and foot problems and support venous compression for enhanced blood circulation.

Conclusion on the importance of Foot Care

Foot care is very important to ensure overall body health.  Happy feet are the stepping stones to a healthier life. It is a fantastic idea to visit your podiatrist regularly for routine check-ups.  Good hygiene is also beneficial for our entire bodies, including our feet.  Investing in well-made and practical shoes and socks usually go a long way and make for a more comfortable walking experience.  Make sure that your shoes and socks fit you properly.  It is also a good idea to wear shoes that offer support as much as possible.  Our feet benefit much more from them versus a pair flip flops for example.  A healthy diet and exercise is key to a healthy pair of feet, too.  After all, our feet do carry around a lot of weight from day to day.  Check your feet daily for cuts, scraps, and bruises.  Start your journey of good foot health today.  After all, every step counts.

Disclaimer and Important Note from Well Heeled

The information contained in all our blog posts, messages and information on all platforms is not to be used as diagnosis material or as professional advice.  We love writing our posts and information but you should always seek proper professional advice if you experience any negative health and well being problems.  We try to keep our information as accurate as possible but we do not intend to take the place of official, professional advice and information that you can find from you appropriate GP, medial services and other professional bodies that can give appropriate medical guidance and support.

Here are some great external links for you too seek that proper and appropriate foot, diabetes and health care guidance and support:

NHS Diabetes Support and Care

NHS Foot Care

Royal College of Podiatry

Mental Health Advice, Information and Support