Few people love their feet, and yet really, we should – those little guys carry us round day in day out, and they deserve a bit of TLC.
Unfortunately, our hard-working feet are prone to problems which many people delay treating due to embarrassment or because they’re just too plain busy. Issues including bunions, calluses and corns, verrucas, toenail problems, athletes foot and flat feet are extremely common, and yet few of us know what to do when they occur.
That’s why we spoke to podiatrist Dina Gohil to find out the most common complaints her clients have, how to prevent them and what you should do if you’re a sufferer yourself.
Bunions
‘A bunion is a bony growth or misaligned bone at the base of the big toe, or sometimes on the small toe (which is known as a Tailor’s bunion).
‘The main sign of a bunion is the big toe pointing towards the other toes on the same foot, forcing the foot bone attached to it (aka the first metatarsal) to stick outwards.
‘Anyone can develop a bunion, but the exact cause is unknown. Research shows that it tends to run in families and is more common in women than men, suggesting a link to ill-fitting shoes. In fact, bunions are rarely found in populations that don’t wear shoes.
‘Non-surgical treatments can help to reduce pain of bunions including painkillers, insoles and bunion pads. Surgery should only be considered if symptoms are so severe that non-surgical treatments are failing to relieve pain, and should be discussed with your podiatrist.
‘To prevent bunions, wear shoes that fit properly by making sure your shoes are the correct size, have midfoot support and that there's plenty of room to move your toes freely.
‘Shoes with pointy toes or high heels can force your toes together, putting pressure on the first metatarsal joint (where the bunion is).’
Calluses and corns
‘Corns and calluses are areas of hard, thickened skin that develop when the skin is exposed to excessive pressure or friction. They commonly occur on the feet and can cause pain and discomfort when you walk.
‘Often caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes that place excessive pressure on an area of the foot, or where there is a little protective cushioning on the bony parts of the feet. It is then no surprise that they are often found as a symptom of a bunion or hammer toe.
‘Repetitive activities such as running or walking can cause rubbing of the feet within shoes or barefoot, and make athletes particularly susceptible to corns and calluses.
‘If you have a corn or callus on your foot its best to see a podiatrist, who can advise treatment. They won't get better on their own unless the cause of the friction is removed.
‘Speak to a pharmacist before trying over-the-counter treatments, as these won’t treat the root cause and may affect the surrounding skin.’
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Verrucas
‘Verrucas are warts caused by a virus that invades the skin through tiny cuts or scrapes. The pressure from normal standing and walking can force the warts into the skin and can even make them more painful.
‘Verrucas are contagious and most commonly spread in communal areas such as gyms, swimming pools, showers or even your own home. The virus often takes a few weeks to present as a verruca and so when or where you caught it won’t be obvious.
‘It’s best to take precautions to prevent catching it by wearing flip-flops in communal areas, paying keen attention to foot hygiene and not sharing socks or shoes with others.
‘There are treatments available over the counter and most involve removing the dead skin. But there is danger of spreading the verruca for those less experienced, as often scratching or itching may spread the infection to other areas of the body. Therefore, it is best to see your podiatrist, who will be able to treat the area effectively.’
Toenail problems
‘One of the most common complaints I see are issues related to the toenail, especially ingrown toenails and toenail fungus.
‘Ingrown toenails happen when the toenail grows into the sides of the surrounding skin, where the nail curves and often ends up digging into the skin, causing the area to become inflamed and tender to the touch.
‘Consult your GP or podiatrist if you experience severe inflammation, bleeding or pus, which can all be a sign of infection. This is especially important for those with diabetes, as this could affect the healing process.
‘Ingrown toenails can be prevented by cutting toenails straight across and not too short, wearing shoes with plenty of room for the toes to move freely and allowing your feet to breath, preventing them becoming too sweaty.
‘The symptoms of fungal nail on the other hand, include yellow, brittle or crumbling nails. The infection can often spread through contact with a sufferer; even the cleanest places in the home have some traces of fungus, including the washing machine, bath mat, bedsheets and even clean laundry that has not been washed at 60 degrees. Shockingly, these items have the potential to spread the infection to other healthy nails and even family members.
‘The best way to prevent a fungal nail infection is to ensure a high level of foot hygiene, by washing feet regularly and ensuring that you are drying your feet properly. Wear clean socks daily that have been washed at no less than 60 degrees and wear shoes in communal areas to avoid picking up the infection from others.
‘A fungal nail infection won’t go away on its own and will need to be treated. There are over the counter treatments available, such as Canespro Fungal Nail Treatment Set, that can get to work in as fast as 2-3 weeks. Treatments should be used in conjunction with an antifungal and you’ll need to ensure that all items that have come into contact with your feet are thoroughly cleaned to prevent a recurrent infection.’
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Athletes foot
‘Symptoms of athlete's foot include dry, scaly and itchy small blisters that is mostly found to affect the skin between the toes and the bottoms of the feet. If left untreated, the fungus can progress to a fungal toenail infection, which is more difficult to treat and so best caught early.
‘The fungus that causes athlete’s foot thrives in moist and warm environments, making communal areas such as swimming pools and gyms prime breeding grounds (hence the name ‘athlete’s foot’).
‘To prevent catching the fungus, you need to avoid coming into contact with infected surfaces, so wear flip-flops in communal areas such as swimming pools. Keep feet as clean and dry as possible by wearing shoes and socks that allow them to breathe and don’t share towels, socks or shoes with others.
‘It’s unlikely to get better on its own and so it’s best to talk to a pharmacist who can recommend the best antifungal treatment, which works by stopping the growth of fungus.’
Flat feet
‘Fallen arches, more commonly known as flat feet is where the arches of the feet are very low meaning the foot is pressed almost flat on the ground. Most often this will have an effect on someone’s gait, meaning that their shoes will wear down quicker than normal.
‘Most people inherit fallen arches from their parents, but on occasion this can be caused by joint hypermobility, loose connective tissue or even due to unsupportive footwear, an injury, increasing age, rheumatoid arthritis or obesity.
‘Having flat feet is not something to worry about, unless it is causing unbearable pain that’s having an impact on your quality of life. Those with flat feet can often experience pain in their back, hips, lower limbs, knees, ankles and feet. If you experience any of these issues, it’s best to speak to a podiatrist who can assess your feet and the movement of your body, to recommend the most suitable treatment.
‘Non-surgical treatments include wearing supportive shoes, bespoke-made insoles, painkillers for pain, a weight-loss programme if you are overweight and stretching exercises for the muscles and connective tissues in the lower legs. Should none of these treatments work, you will be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon to discuss options for surgery.’
(Images: Getty)
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