all about feet
Feet are extremely important to our health and wellbeing. They help with balance, so we don’t fall, posture and mobility. Much of the following information is from medicalnewstoday.com regarding some common foot problems. We recommend consulting with a podiatrist or doctor for treatment when necessary.
General Feet Questions:
Is having hairy toes something to worry about?
Having some hair on your feet is a sign of good circulation and blood supply but having none is not a problem either. Hairy toes could be a genetic condition but if you have excessive hair on toes, you may want to check with your doctor in case you have a more serious condition.
Is having hairy toes something to worry about?
Having some hair on your feet is a sign of good circulation and blood supply but having none is not a problem either. Hairy toes could be a genetic condition but if you have excessive hair on toes, you may want to check with your doctor in case you have a more serious condition.
What causes smelly feet?
- Being pregnant
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes
- Poor shoe care
- Stress
- Spending long hours on your feet
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Taking certain medications
- Underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disease or diabetes
- Poor hygiene
How do I get rid of smelly feet?
- Wash and thoroughly dry feet daily
- Wear socks that absorb moisture
- Change socks daily
- Change between a couple pairs of shoes every other day
- Remove dead skin and trim toenails
- Apply antibacterial powder to the inside of your shoes
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is pain that occurs under the heel which can affect the inner or outer side of the heel and foot. It can also occur behind the heel and is called Achilles tendinitis.
This condition may occur due to an injury or from repetitive pounding of the heel. Flat footwear can make the problem worse since it stretches out the plantar fascia causing inflammation and swelling. If over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine is ineffective, then your doctor may prescribe steroid injections, custom-made orthotics to support the heel and/or physical therapy. There are also inexpensive generic inserts found online, such as this one from Amazon.
According to the British Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, as soon as you experience this kind of pain you should consider stretching the Achilles tendon and wearing a splint on your ankle at night if you experience morning pain so that the tendon does not tighten up. Night splints can be purchased through Amazon or other companies online. Stretching the foot well before and after physical activity during the day may also reduce pain. Another good way to help keep the plantar fascia loose is to roll a tennis ball or a frozen water bottle under the arch of your foot for 5-10 mins twice a day.
Hammertoe
A hammertoe has an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe. It usually occurs due to trauma from stubbing or breaking the toe, muscle imbalance or improper footwear.
To help alleviate pain, select low-heel footwear with ample room in the toe area and wear shoe inserts or pads. For serious hammertoe, surgery may be required.
A hammertoe has an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe. It usually occurs due to trauma from stubbing or breaking the toe, muscle imbalance or improper footwear.
To help alleviate pain, select low-heel footwear with ample room in the toe area and wear shoe inserts or pads. For serious hammertoe, surgery may be required.
Athlete’s Foot
This is a fungal infection occurring between the toes due to feet being exposed to warm and damp areas. It can cause itching, cracking, blistering and peeling of the feet. According to Medical News Today, the infection can spread and cause significant discomfort. Antifungal medication can be purchased in drug stores. However, if symptoms get worse, contact a doctor for more treatment.
This is a fungal infection occurring between the toes due to feet being exposed to warm and damp areas. It can cause itching, cracking, blistering and peeling of the feet. According to Medical News Today, the infection can spread and cause significant discomfort. Antifungal medication can be purchased in drug stores. However, if symptoms get worse, contact a doctor for more treatment.
Bunions
Bunions develop on the large toe joint which causes the big toe to turn inward. This problem can either be hereditary, due to wearing narrow high heel shoes or from rheumatoid arthritis. To relieve pain, it may help to buy a bunion pad at the drugstore or apply a cloth-covered ice pack over the bunion for 10 minutes. A podiatrist can prescribe shoe inserts, a splint or even surgery if necessary.
Bunions develop on the large toe joint which causes the big toe to turn inward. This problem can either be hereditary, due to wearing narrow high heel shoes or from rheumatoid arthritis. To relieve pain, it may help to buy a bunion pad at the drugstore or apply a cloth-covered ice pack over the bunion for 10 minutes. A podiatrist can prescribe shoe inserts, a splint or even surgery if necessary.
Corns
Corns are patches of thickened skin, often found on the soles of the feet or toes. They can be caused by bunions, hammertoes, or ill-fitting shoes. They can be treated with over-the-counter corn plasters to relieve the pressure and help healing. If needed, a doctor may be consulted to help with removal.
Corns are patches of thickened skin, often found on the soles of the feet or toes. They can be caused by bunions, hammertoes, or ill-fitting shoes. They can be treated with over-the-counter corn plasters to relieve the pressure and help healing. If needed, a doctor may be consulted to help with removal.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail starts to grow into the nail groove causing pain. This may be due to wearing narrow shoes, a hereditary issue, cutting nails too short or a toe trauma injury. Washing feet with an antibacterial soap, cutting nails straight across instead of a rounded cut and wearing non-pointy shoes may help. However, if these methods do not cure the problem, a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon may need to remove some of the toenail and treat the infection with antibiotics.
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail starts to grow into the nail groove causing pain. This may be due to wearing narrow shoes, a hereditary issue, cutting nails too short or a toe trauma injury. Washing feet with an antibacterial soap, cutting nails straight across instead of a rounded cut and wearing non-pointy shoes may help. However, if these methods do not cure the problem, a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon may need to remove some of the toenail and treat the infection with antibiotics.
Blisters
Blisters often happen after walking or running for long periods of time, especially if the feet have become sweaty or when wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. They are not generally very serious but it is best not to burst blisters and let them heal naturally, putting on a bandage to provide relief.
Blisters often happen after walking or running for long periods of time, especially if the feet have become sweaty or when wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. They are not generally very serious but it is best not to burst blisters and let them heal naturally, putting on a bandage to provide relief.