Foot Care

Feet would have to be one of the most neglected and under appreciated parts of our body, yet they perform such an important job, transporting us around in our day to day lives.

There are many problems and diseases that can afflict the feet. Some of which are covered in other articles. These include;

• Athlete's Foot - A fungal infection of the foot.

• Black Toenail (Runner's Toe) - Black toenails are a common injury seen in athletes such as joggers (especially long distance or downhill runners)

• Bunions - Bunions  are a common foot disorder in which the bone or tissue of the first metatarsophalangeal joint become enlarged.

• Calluses - Thickened areas of skin caused by repeated friction.

• Chilblains - Also known as perniosis, chilblains are patches of itchy, inflamed swellings on the skin, usually occurring on the extremities such as the ears, nose, fingers & toes.

• Corns - Corns  are  hard areas of skin on the foot caused by excessive pressure or friction, usually the result of tight or poor fitting shoes.

• Cracked Heels - Also known as heel fissures, cracked heels are a common condition in which the heels become cracked & painful.

• Ingrown Toenails - Also known as onychocryptosis, an ingrown toenail occurs when part of the nail grow down & into the skin of the toe.

• Onychomycosis - Fungal infection of the nails.

• Plantar Warts - Plantar warts (also known as Verruca plantaris, or verrucas) are common warts that are found on the sole of the foot (plantar surface). They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

• Smelly Feet - Caused by sweating, smelly feet are a common problem.

If you suspect you have a problem with your feet, seek medical attention immediately. Most foot problems can be treated easily. Signs to look for include;

• Hardened and or  cracked areas of skin.

• Painful areas on the feet.

• Discoloured, peeling, cracking nails.

• Peeling skin which may or may not be painful & reddened.

Washing - It should go without saying that feet should be washed daily to remove odours, odour causing bacteria & dirt. Feet should be washed all over, paying attention to between the toes. When you are finished, dry thoroughly. Damp feet provide a perfect environment for fungal infections to take hold. Again, pay attention to between the toes.

Dry Skin on Feet - The skin on the feet is prone to becoming dry & uncomfortable. After bathing or showering, apply moisturiser, paying attention to particularly dry areas such as the heel.

Exfoliate - Weekly exfoliating can help remove excess hard areas of skin & stimulate the growth of new, healthy skin.

Shoes - Well fitting, comfortable shoes that are suitable for the occasion. Look for leather shoes, which allow the foot to breathe better than synthetic materials.

High heels may look fantastic, but they are not good for the feet or the posture. If you must wear high heels, try to limit how often.

Socks - Socks should be changed every day. Look for socks made from natural fibres which allow the feet to breathe.

Toenail care - Well trimmed toenails can help prevent nail damage & ingrown toenails. When cutting the toenails, cut in a straight line, not in a curve. Don't cut the nails too short.

Public places - When in public places such as swimming pools & changing rooms, wear something on your feet such as thongs (flip flops) to avoid fungal infections such as athlete's foot.

Pamper your feet - Take some time out every week to pamper your feet with a peppermint foot soak. Peppermint is known to be of benefit to the feet, cooling and soothing.

Also see:

Athlete's Foot, Black Toenail, Bunions, Chilblains, Corns, Cracked Heels, Foot Care, Hammer Toe, Ingrown Toenails, Onychomycosis, Plantar Warts, Smelly Feet

Please note:

The medical articles on this site have not been written by a doctor & should not be considered a replacement for a doctor visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes only.

Always seek immediate medical advice for any problems.

While great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.