Foot Problems Guide

Your feet are your foundation. This guide will help you understand the ways through which you can take better care of your feet, and treat certain foot flaws.

Five-foot flaws to fix

Beautiful feet add to the beauty of a person while feet with certain flaws and problems may lead to embarrassment and cause a person to hide them. Here are some common foot flaws and how you can take care of them.

1) Problem:  Plantar warts are patches of rough growths on the feet. These develop on the balls and heels of the feet due to a virus known as HPV (human papillomavirus) that gets in touch with the skin directly. These areas bear the most pressure. Plantar warts normally go on their own but can be transmitted to the other parts, or other people, because of the infected skin shedding.

Solution: Exfoliate the dead skin and wart tissue using a pumice stone. For better results, do it along with medications. It might take up to 12 weeks to finally show positive results. If the wart doesn’t get better or changes colour or texture, then consult your doctor.

2) Problem: Often people get a foot fungus which is also known as Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). It tyipcally begins between the toes and is common in people who have sweaty toes. Not only do athletes develop this fungus but also other people who use gym showers, pools, jacuzzis, saunas, or any other contaminated places with bare feet are prone to this. It causes blisters, prickling, ragged toenails, itching, and scaly skin.

Solution: To treat this fungus, you can get OTC medication from a pharmacy. Through certain sprays, creams, and ointments, a normal case of Athlete’s foot can be treated, by applying the medicine two times a day for 4 weeks. But in some serious cases, you will need to take oral medication or start a course of antibiotics as per the guidelines of your doctor in case you get both, a bacterial as well as fungal infection, together.

It can also be treated by wearing soft cotton socks and changing them at regular intervals the whole day. Keeping the feet dry by avoiding tight-fitting shoes will also help in fixing the issue as it would not confine sweat between the toes.

3) Problem: A person may have a bunion if their big toe appears to be getting bigger. It causes swelling, discomfort, and stiffening of the skin. Wearing narrow or tight shoes, and irregular walking can cause bunions to get sore and serious. If not treated on time, these can lead to foot deformity or arthritis.

Solution: People with bunions should avoid wearing high heels and wear comfortable shoes appropriate as per their size. Your shoes should conform to the shape of your feet without causing any pain or pressure. Soaking your feet in warm water can help relieve the pain, you can even treat it with an OTC ointment or gel. Some doctors might even strap your foot to retrieve it back to its normal position or prescribe orthotics or physical therapy. Icing the inflamed area can also help alleviate the pain.

4) Problem: Something as small as an ingrown toenail can cause an infection and might cause complications if not treated on time. It is a condition in which the corner of the toenail or its side grows into the soft flesh of the toe. It causes pain and swelling, and rarely might develop into an infection. It is a common problem among many people and can be treated on its own.

Solution: It is better to let a podiatrist or doctor take care of the issue. Wear open shoes and avoid tight shoes that can cause pressure or pain on the toenail as it might result in swelling, redness, or an infection. Leave the affected part and do not try to burrow into your skin as it might worsen things. You can use salt or soap in a mild warm water and soak your feet in it 3-4 times a day, for upto 10 minutes. It may help the affected area to become softer. You can also use antibacterial creams and avoid cutting your nails too short to avoid ingrown toenails. The top of your toe must line up with your nail. If you feel that nothing is working out, then do not hesitate to see a doctor.

5) Problem:  Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that show up as a result of friction or pressure. It often appears on the feet of people who are always on their toes. When the skin gets into direct contact with a shoe without socks, it forms these rough patches of skin. If these develop on the tops or either sides of your feet, they are called corns. These are not painful but the skin around them can turn swollen or itchy. Calluses are painless, unattractive patches of dry skin that are formed on the heels and balls of the feet.

Solution: These can be treated by using pumic stone to gently file the corn or callus, once the feet have been soaked and softened in warm water. Avoid using razors on the affected area as it might cause inflammation or infection. Use a moisturizer or a foot care cream to keep the skin of your feet soft. Your pharmacist might even recommend medicated pads that could help in overcoming the issue. Follow a good foot care regimen to prevent it from happening in future.

Treat your feet

People are often more cautious about the beauty of their hands than their feet. They invest in good salons and get expensive manicures, as their hands are more visible. Feet on the other hand are easier to neglect and not take care of. 

However, in recent years, pedicures have grown more popular and people have been spending money on these. In addition to pedicures that are easily accessible and budget-friendly, you can even set up your own home foot spa. 

Prime your feet

It is very important to take care of the feet and make it a habit as these bear alot of pressure and need to be taken care of. They are often packed throughout the day and result in certain foot conditions which can be avoided if they are attended well. 

After a busy day at work, you can just do something as simple as soaking them in warm water with soap and fragrant oils, mix other things as per your preference and relax. It will not only give you a peace of mind but also help in beautifying your feet. Take these moments to maybe read or just close the eyes.

You can use a pumice stone or a loofah to scrape dead skin right after the feet is soaked and softened. You can further use a moisturizer or a foot mask for preserving the effects.

Trim your toenails

Along with your feet, you should pay proper attention to your toenails. Experts suggest that it is essential to cut your nails straight across, leaving them long enough so that the corners lie loosely at the sides against the skin. Trim them whenever needed, but don’t trim them too short. Doing so would result in an ingrown toenail.

Don’t peel the skin of your cuticles or scrape them as these are prone to inflammation, and generally very sensitive. You can get an orange stick or apply soap on a nail brush to clean the inside of your nails. Avoid any tool that can hurt or is hard on the skin. 

Your feet, your foundation

Your feet lay the overall foundation of your body’s movement around. It is a versatile combination of various joints, nerves, and muscles that coordinate balance. If one of these elements are affected or infected, then the overall weight and walking style is affected, causing excessive pain and ache.

Each foot has 26 bones, 36 joints, 20 muscles, and over 150 ligaments. This complicated system of bones work in coordination and the imbalance in one of these bones affect the knee, ankle, foot, and head bone.

Walking is not as easy as it seems, it involves two styles namely; supination and pronation. 

Supination is when your weight tends to be more on the outside edge of your foot while pronation is simply when your weight tends to be more on the inside edge of your foot. These actions must occur as naturally as possible while walking.

Supination: The bottom of your shoe can tell you whether you are a supinator. If the outside edge is more roughed up than the inside one, that’s a tell tale sign. This usually happens when you extend more weight on the outside foot, the arches might remain rough and high.

Due to this, the ball of your foot might not get chance to properly connect to the ground. Walking like this can also be a cause of knee and back pains, as well as straining ankles and ligaments. Calluses on the outside of the little toe are also a result of this

Pronation: If there is extra wear and tear on the inner sole of your shoe, it’s likely a classic sign of over-pronating. This means applying more weight on the inside of your feet, and can cause issues. It stiffens the muscles in the calf, cause pressure on knees, and might even result in back and hip issues.

Consult your doctor if you are facing the problems with your feet frequently, so they can prescribe a proper treatment pathway and help you walk in a healthy way.