Our feet go through a lot on a daily basis. With each step we take, the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments in our feet are hard at work. “One in three people over the age of 65 have foot pain, stiffness or aching feet.” This issue can become severe when problems with your feet significantly impact your quality of life, and lead to further health concerns. However, practicing proper foot care techniques will ease discomfort and bring positive results regardless of age or current health status.
Healthy foot care extends beyond appearances or a fresh coat of nail polish, and taking care of your feet should be a year-round effort. The health of your feet can be an indicator of your general health,1 so a good foot care routine should be a part of your overall plan for health and wellness. You risk falling if foot issues persist. Walking awkwardly to avoid that pain sets you off-balance and heightens your risk of hurting yourself further.
As a matter of fact, your feet should be checked regularly even before there is a problem. Comprised of over 50 bones, 200 muscles, 60 joints, tendons and ligaments, feet are really a true marvel of engineering.
Poor foot health can impede work performance and even result in lost time from work. And with poor foot health, you’re less likely to engage in physical activity. The result is a higher risk of disease, such as heart disease and diabetes, reduced endurance and loss of muscle mass. And if you already have a chronic condition like diabetes, you’ll want to check with your doctor to be certain that you’re doing everything possible to keep your feet healthy. Preventative foot care keeps you on your toes and also helps lessen the need for foot surgery.
Common foot problems
Athlete’s foot
Itchy, stinging, and burning feet and toes may be signs of athlete’s foot. This contagious condition appears after you make contact with fungus, usually in wet environments such as locker rooms, public showers, and swimming pools.
You may also experience foot blisters, crumbly toenails, and cracked, dry, and raw skin on your feet.
The condition can sometimes be difficult to treat. Start with an over-the-counter (OTC) product. You may need a doctor’s prescription to clear up severe athlete’s foot.
Blisters
Raised pockets of fluid on your feet are known as blisters. This painful condition can be caused by walking or standing for long periods of time, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or having sweaty feet.
Generally, blisters aren’t a serious condition and can be treated at home. Try to let the blister heal naturally and give yourself relief by applying a bandage over it for comfort. Only drain the blister yourself when necessary and do it with the proper sterile equipment. If you choose to drain a blister, make sure to keep it covered with a bandage and antibiotic ointment as it heals.
Bunions
A bump on the side of your big toe may be a bunion. This condition, in which your big toe bends toward your other toes, can make it painful to walk. It may cause inflammation and irritation on your big toe and second toe.
Bunions may be the result of the foot structure you inherited, and tight- or ill-fitting shoes or standing too long may aggravate them. Proper-fitting shoes and OTC pain relievers may be a simple solution to help bunions, or you may need the advice and treatment of your doctor.
Corns
Round circles of thickened skin on your toes or the sole of your foot could be corns. Your body forms corns to prevent blistering on your feet, and they’re usually not painful right away.
Hammer toe, bunions, or poor-fitting shoes may be the cause of corns. Over time, corns may become irritated and should be treated.
OTC treatments like corn plasters may help relieve pressure on a corn and allow it to heal, or your doctor may recommend surgery to remove it.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis can cause pain in the bottom of your heel or in the lower part of your middle foot. This happens when the plantar fascia ligament becomes strained because of soft-soled footwear with poor arch support, frequent standing, long-distance running, weight gain, or other foot conditions.
It can develop over time, and pain can range from dull to sharp. You may experience more pain when your feet have been resting for prolonged periods. Home-based treatments for the condition include applying ice, taking anti-inflammatory medications, and stretching the foot daily. Your doctor may be able to ease pain with corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, orthotics, or surgery.
Heel spur
Pain, inflammation, or even a bony protrusion at the front of the heel may be symptoms of a heel spur. Heel spurs occur because of a calcium deposit that grows between your heel and arch.
Heel spurs may be diagnosed through the pain you feel in your heel or as a result of another foot condition altogether, such as plantar fasciitis. It may be difficult to diagnose this condition yourself.
You should rest your feet, evaluate your footwear, and see your doctor if you experience heel pain. Heel spurs can be treated with cold compresses, medications, physical therapy, and possibly surgery.
Claw toe
Claw toe is also known as claw foot. This occurs when your first toe joint points up and the second joint points down.
Claw toe can occur suddenly or may be apparent at birth. The condition may or may not cause pain and discomfort, and it can be a sign of a more serious medical condition like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or cerebral palsy.
You may never know what causes claw toe, but it’s important for your doctor to diagnose and treat the condition. Treatments include proper shoes, splints, toe exercises, medications, and surgery.
To know more: https://www.murarihealthcare.com/why-take-care-of-your-feet/
