Did you know the human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments? It’s no wonder that a lot can go wrong. Although some foot problems are inherited, many occur because we haven’t looked after them properly.
Signs of foot trouble include pain, dry skin, thickened or discoloured nails, swelling, redness, and soreness. And what’s even worse, the problem can affect your hips and back as the pain may move up or you may compensate for the pain by leaning to the left or right while walking.
Good hygiene is important because the feet have more than 250,000 sweat glands and we need to ensure we keep our feet clean and dry. Even if you don’t shower every day, be sure and wash your feet daily, concentrating on the area between the toes and drying well with a soft towel. Washing removes bacteria and dead skin and a little liquid dishwashing detergent is useful because it already contains skin softeners. A nice moisturizing lotion applied after washing, and several times a day in the winter, can keep rough areas soft as well.
A common problem is an ingrown toenail which is preventable. Trim your toenails after a bath or shower when the nail is soft. Sitting on a chair or the floor so you can bend your knee, use toenail clippers to cut straight across the nail. Full instructions can be found at http://www.howcast.com/guides/1149-How-To-Clip-Your-Own-Nails?rev=1.
Don’t sit for a long time without varying your position so your feet are up frequently. This helps to keep the blood in your body moving to all extremities. Walking and swimming are good for your feet as is a gentle foot massage.
Protect your feet with shoes or sandals before walking outside. And make sure your shoes fit well. Never buy shoes without trying them on and always walk around the store for a few minutes to ensure the fit it good before purchasing. Make sure the soles allow for solid footing and don’t slip. For good tips on buying shoes for yourself and for your whole family go to http://www.lestout.com/article/health-beauty-fitness/beauty-fashion/choosing-shoes-whole-family.HTML
Feet that are damp from sweaty shoes provide a perfect place for fungus to grow, and if you find you are wearing the same pair for several hours, it may be a good idea to have a second pair with you to change into through the day. Athlete’s foot and other infections cause itchiness and peeling but they can be cured. Some over-the-counter medications work, but if you don’t notice healing within a week or two, be sure to see your doctor.
You may develop warts, which are growths caused by a virus and they can be very painful. You will need to see your doctor to get rid of them. Bunions are growths too, and they develop when the joints in your big toe no longer fit properly together, as a result of a chemical imbalance. They seem to occur in families and there is not much you can do to prevent them. Again you need to see your doctor as surgery may be needed to correct the problem. If you have diabetes, you should go to a foot clinic for toenail clipping where a doctor will check your feet frequently.
Keeping your feet clean and dry, wearing shoes that fit properly, and watching for infections will help you prevent problems so you can enjoy an active lifestyle at work and leisure.
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