Foot Care
I feel like women have many more foot problems than men, why is
that?
The major problem is the shoe gear. It is rarely fashionable to wear a
wide, low shoe every day, like most men do. As professional women, we want
to be stylish. Fashion is not often comfortable. For example, when you try
and squish your feet into a pointy-toe high heel that is two or three
inches off the ground, you're trying to squish your foot into something
that is not made to the shape of your foot. You've got your foot at an
angle, placing all pressure at the toe. Although today’s shoes are
becoming much more foot friendly, there remains that fashion element that
is still hard on the foot. The hereditary factor also almost always comes
into play. Bunions and hammer toes are of female hereditary, meaning they
are usually passed from mother to daughter. So if your mother had either
the odds are you’ve had to deal with the problem as well. Also, it is our
belief that women are more apt to go to a physician over a foot problem
than men.
What area of the foot causes the most problems?
The No. 1 problem is almost always heel and arch pain; for both men and
women. As the arch flattens a little bit (from pregnancy, weight gain,
changes in lifestyle) and as the arch muscle getting weaker as we get
older, this becomes a bigger and bigger problem. This can cause a lot of
unnecessary pain. It's also a cause of ankle problems pain. As the arch
flattens slowly over time, you have extra pull on the outside ankle
ligaments and muscles. To remedy this problem, a podiatrist may have to
order a specially made orthotic to go inside a patient's shoes; but that
is only in severe cases. Does the moisture and sweat a foot gives off
cause problems? Closed shoes and pantyhose creates a lot of friction. If
you add perspiration into the equation, a lot more is created. Friction
and perspiration cause many problems like calluses and athlete's foot. So
the best bet is to keep your feet dry and cool as much as possible. If you
feel you are acquiring an odor or your feet are really perspiring, try
using an antiperspirant roll-on (An old-type of roll-on is the best).
Apply after your shower in the morning. Be sure to let it dry before you
put on your pantyhose or shoes. Therefore you'll have less friction and
less perspiration.
Feel better after a hard day…
If you want your feet to feel better after a long day of work, we
recommend refrigerating a good moisturizing cream to be used at the end of
the day when your feet are really tired and hot. Avoid lotions because the
results are not as good. If you feel like your feet are perspiring a lot,
soak them in cool water for 10 minutes, and then dry thoroughly before
applying the cream. The cool water/cream combination should help ease the
pain of your hard day.
What Medical Conditions Can Foot Pain
Such conditions like arthritic conditions, especially osteoarthritis and
gout, cause foot pain. Even rheumatoid arthritis, which usually occurs in
hands, can affect the ball of the foot. Osteoporosis can also cause some
foot pain. Diabetes is a particularly serious cause of foot pain,
infection, and ulcers, and, without proper foot care, can result in
amputation. Diabetics with foot deformities, such as claw toes, or bunions
are at particular risk. Anorexia, high blood pressure, and other diseases
that affect the nervous and circulatory systems can cause pain, loss of
sensation, and tingling in the feet, as well as increase the
susceptibility for infection and foot ulcers. A number of conditions,
including pregnancy, heart failure, kidney disease, and hypothyroidism,
can cause fluid build-up and swollen feet. The increased weight and
imbalance of pregnancy contributes to foot stress. Diseases that affect
muscle and motor control, such as Parkinson's disease, also cause foot
problems. Some medications, such as calcitonin and drugs used for high
blood pressure, can cause foot swelling.
Foot Care
In order to ensure a healthy toenail, they should be trimmed regularly and
always straight across. Filing should also be straight across the nail
using a swift single movement. The file should be lifted up before you
begin the next stroke. Most people make the common mistake of filing back
and forth, but that only leads to chipped or broken nails. A cuticle stick
is a good way of cleaning underneath the nail. A good skin cream will only
help maintain a skin’s softness and vivacity. Indulging yourself with a
warm foot bath two or three times a week for ten minutes or so, will keep
your feet relaxed and could prevent mild foot pain and fatigue. Some Epson
salt may help as well. When washing, try to use a loofah type sponge which
can help rid your body of dead skin. Most strenuous activities can be hard
on your feet and cause blisters and callouses. To help prevent them, try
using antiperspirants on the balls of your feet. Also, a massage treatment
on your feet can help relax them. Try using your thumb, index and middle
finger to rotate each toe in a circular motion. Then, turn your hand into
a fist and glide it slowly around the bottom of the foot. And lastly,
gently twist each foot as if wringing wet clothes. All are soothing
exercises and should help ease the pain of every day use.
People with Diabetes and Foot Care…
People with Diabetes should take particular care of their feet because
they are of greater risk for nerve damage and poor blood flow. Mindful
preventive foot care reduces the risk of amputation as much as 85%.
Patients should make inspections daily and watch for any significant
changes in color or texture, odor, and firmness, which may indicate
infection. Washing the feet should be with warm (not hot) water, and the
feet should be thoroughly dried afterward. Foot Creams should be applied,
but never between the toes. Avoid lotions as they are not as productive.
Corns and calluses should be gently pumiced away and toenails always
trimmed short, with the edges filed, to avoid accidentally cutting
adjacent toes. Try not to use medicated pads, or try to shave the corns or
calluses directly. Also, try and avoid high heels, sandals, thongs, and
going barefoot. Shoes should be changed often (three times a day if
possible) to avoid unnecessary sweat buildup. Try not to wear tight
stockings or any clothing that that is constricting.
Feel better after a hard day…
If you want your feet to feel better after a long day of work, we
recommend refrigerating a good moisturizing cream to be used at the end of
the day when your feet are really tired and hot. Avoid lotions because the
results are not as good. If you feel like your feet are perspiring a lot,
soak them in cool water for 10 minutes, and then dry thoroughly before
applying the cream. The cool water/cream combination should help ease the
pain of your hard day.
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