Many people do not realise how important it is to maintain good foot health to stay active. Here at Foot Solutions, we see many people with foot problems that cause them pain and can even be debilitating, and our experienced team can often suggest simple solutions that transform their lives.
Here, we’ll take a look at the five most common foot problems and what you can do to avoid them. All of these conditions can be helped or even resolved by changing the way you think about your footcare routine and the shoes and socks you wear. Read on for our tops tips and to find out more about protecting your foot health.
Taking care of your feet means taking a look at your daily routine and building in better awareness of the way you treat your feet. We will discuss the impact of conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, ingrown toenails, Athlete’s Foot, corns and calluses, on your feet. We’ll also look at ways that you can prevent these with improved foot care and footwear choices.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition affecting the band of tissue known as the Plantar Fascia that connects the toes and the heel. When this tissue becomes torn or inflamed, it causes a severe pain in the heel and around the arch of the foot. This is a very common condition that affects runners, especially those running on hard surfaces such as roadways, and people who are overweight as this places extra strain on the heel. High impact activities put the feet under extreme pressure, and this can lead to damage to the plantar fascia.
If you think you have developed plantar fasciitis, it is very important to rest the injured area initially and allow it to recover. After an initial period of rest, during which you can also use ice to relieve pain and reduce swelling in the affected area, you will find that rehabilitation exercises will help to resolve the injury. Rolling a ball under your foot, for instance, can help to massage and stretch the plantar fascia, which can improve circulation and relieve pain. Talk to us at Foot Solutions to find out more about the specific exercises which can help to resolve plantar fasciitis.
A doctor may advise medication or steroid injections in severe cases, but the most helpful treatment option can involve taking a look at your footwear. Supportive shoes, especially those that have plenty of cushioning around the arch of the foot, can transform the way your feet feel and enable the injured area to heal, as well as preventing further problems with plantar fasciitis in the future. Changing your running shoes every few months, or after you have run 300-500 miles in them, is recommended to ensure that your shoes can support your feet correctly.
For more on the role of high-quality shoes and custom-made orthotics https://footsolutions.co.uk/the-role-of-high-quality-shoes-and-orthotics-in-alleviating-plantar-fasciitis/ check out our dedicated blog.
Bunions
Bunions are bony growths that develop on the side of the foot, usually next to the joint of the big toe. Bunions are permanent once they develop, although there are many ways to resolve the pain and make it easier to live with this condition. However, it is possible to take preventative steps to stop bunions from developing in the first place, and these may also prevent the condition from worsening.
Bunions often develop as a result of wearing shoes that are too tight or that do not support the feet properly. For instance, wearing high heeled shoes can squash the toes together and push them out of alignment, making the structural damage that causes bunions much more likely. You can help to prevent bunions from developing by ensuring that the shoes you wear are comfortable and spacious, allowing the toes to spread and providing cushioning around the foot for extra support.
Many people believe that a tendency towards bunions may be genetic, so developing them may be inevitable if you have a family history of the condition. However, there are many ways to reduce the risks, including wearing toe separators or custom orthotics to support the foot correctly within your shoes, and wearing toe splints at night to improve alignment. If you have a bunion that is not causing you pain, measures such as these may help to prevent it from worsening. However, surgery is the only corrective option for debilitating or painful bunions.
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail may seem like a very minor problem, but it can be extremely painful and can make walking difficult. Ingrown toenails on the big toe are the most common, but it is possible for them to develop on any of the toes and they may appear swollen and red, or you may be able to see the toenail curving into the toe. In some cases, an ingrown toenail can lead to an infection, and you may notice pus coming from the area or feel feverish.
To treat an ingrown toenail, you can soak your foot in warm, salty water to soften the skin around the toe and reduce the chances of infection. You will need to dry your feet carefully and wear comfortable shoes that allow your toes to spread. You may wish to take painkillers to reduce the pain, but you should not attempt to cut or pick at the affected toenail as this is likely to increase the risk of infection.
If you do not notice any improvement in the toenail after soaking the foot, or if you think you have developed an infection, you should seek medical assistance. You can avoid ingrown toenails in the future by cutting your toenails straight across and not cutting them too short, and by keeping your feet clean and dry and wearing comfortable shoes that fit you well.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that often develops between the toes and can cause sore, flaky patches on the feet. Occasionally, the sides and soles of the feet can be affected and fluid filled blisters may appear. There is a risk of the infection spreading and this may cause a fungal nail infection in the affected area. Athlete’s foot will worsen in damp, dark conditions that encourage the growth of bacteria, so it is very important to maintain good foot hygiene and consider your footwear choices.
You should wash your feet well every day and dry them carefully afterwards, especially between the toes, changing your socks at least once per day. Alternating your footwear can be a good idea to give shoes a chance to air out between wears, and ensuring that you do not have damp feet, socks or shoes will help to prevent Athlete’s foot. If you have already developed the condition, you can use anti-fungal creams, sprays or powders to treat the infection, and you should talk to your pharmacist about this.
If you have Athlete’s foot, you should take care to avoid sharing towels, socks or shoes with others and ensure that you do not walk around public areas such as showers and changing rooms with bare feet.
Corns & Calluses
Corns and calluses on the feet are hard or thick areas of skin, and although they are not serious, they can be very painful. Calluses are usually larger patches of rough, thickened skin, while corns usually appear as small lumps. These sometimes appear when the feet rub against the shoes and wearing wide, comfortable shoes and thick socks can help to relieve the pressure and prevent corns and calluses or help them to heal.
If you have corns or calluses, you can soak your feet to soften them and use a file or pumice stone to remove areas of hard skin. You may find that moisturising your feet regularly is helpful, and soft insoles or corn plasters can help to cushion the affected area while it heals. If you have diabetes, circulation problems or heart disease, you should see your GP or a foot specialist for individual advice.
Come and see us at Foot Solutions today
Here at Foot Solutions, we understand common foot problems and we will help you to find the best options to relieve your symptoms and get your feet in great shape. Visit us to find supportive, comfortable footwear, as well as advice that will transform your foot health.
