Foot Care
By: National
Institute on Aging
When we are in love we may be "swept off our
feet." When we don't want to do something, we are said to have
"cold feet." A sensible person "has both feet on the
ground." Sometimes we even "vote with our feet."
Problems with our feet can be the first sign of more
serious medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and nerve and
circulatory disorders.
Preventing Foot
Trouble
Practice good foot care. Check your feet regularly, or
have a member of your family check them. Podiatrists and primary care
doctors (internists and family practitioners) are qualified to treat most
foot problems. Sometimes the special skills of an orthopedic surgeon or
dermatologist are needed.
It also helps to keep blood circulating to your feet as
much as possible. Do this by putting your feet up when you are sitting or
lying down, stretching if you've had to sit for a long while, walking,
having a gentle foot massage, or taking a warm foot bath. Try to avoid
pressure from shoes that don't fit right. Try not to expose your feet to
cold temperatures. Don't sit for long periods of time (especially with
your legs crossed). Don't smoke.
Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can prevent many
foot ailments. Here are some tips for getting a proper shoe fit:
The size of your feet
changes as you grow older so always have your feet measured before buying
shoes. The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day when
your feet are largest.
Most of us have one foot
that is larger than the other, so fit your shoe to your larger foot.
Don't select shoes by
the size marked inside the shoe but by how the shoe fits your foot.
Select a shoe that is
shaped like your foot.
During the fitting
process, make sure there is enough space (3/8" to 1/2") for your
longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up.
Make sure the ball of
your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
Don't buy shoes that
feel too tight and expect them to stretch to fit.
Your heel should fit
comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slipping - the shoes
should not ride up and down on your heel when you walk.
Walk in the shoes to
make sure they fit and feel right. Then take them home and spend some time
walking on carpet to make sure the fit is a good one.
The upper part of the shoes should be made of a soft,
flexible material to match the shape of your foot. Shoes made of leather
can reduce the possibility of skin irritations. Soles should provide solid
footing and not be slippery. Thick soles cushion your feet when walking on
hard surfaces. Low-heeled shoes are more comfortable, safer, and less
damaging than high-heeled shoes.
Common Foot Problems
Fungal and Bacterial Conditions, including
athlete's foot, occur because our feet spend a lot of time in shoes - a
warm, dark, humid place that is perfect for fungus to grow. Fungal and
bacterial conditions can cause dry skin, redness, blisters, itching, and
peeling. If not treated right away, an infection may be hard to cure. If
not treated properly, the infection may reoccur. To prevent infections,
keep your feet - especially the area between your toes - clean and dry.
Change your shoes and socks or stockings often to help keep your feet dry.
Try dusting your feet daily with foot powder. If your foot condition does
not get better within 2 weeks, talk to your doctor.
Dry skin can cause itching and burning feet. Use
mild soap in small amounts and a moisturizing cream or lotion on your legs
and feet every day. Be careful about adding oils to bath water since they
can make your feet and bathtub very slippery.
Corns and calluses are caused by friction and
pressure when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes. If you
have corns or calluses, see your doctor. Sometimes wearing shoes that fit
better or using special pads solves the problem. Treating corns and
calluses yourself may be harmful, especially if you have diabetes or poor
circulation. Over-the-counter medicines contain acids that destroy the
tissue but do not treat the cause. Sometimes these medicines reduce the
need for surgery, but check with your doctor before using them.
Warts are skin growths caused by viruses. They are
sometimes painful and, if untreated, may spread. Since over-the-counter
preparations rarely cure warts, see your doctor. A doctor can apply
medicines, burn or freeze the wart off, or take the wart off with surgery.
Bunions develop when the joints in your big toe no
longer fit together as they should and become swollen and tender. Bunions
tend to run in families. If a bunion is not severe, wearing shoes cut wide
at the instep and toes, taping the foot, or wearing pads that cushion the
bunion may help the pain. Other treatments include physical therapy and
wearing orthotic devices or shoe inserts. A doctor can also prescribe
anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone injections for pain. Sometimes
surgery is needed to relieve the pressure and repair the toe joint.
Ingrown toenails occur when a piece of the nail
breaks the skin - which can happen if you don't cut your nails properly.
Ingrown toenails are very common in the large toes. A doctor can remove
the part of the nail that is cutting into the skin. This allows the area
to heal. Ingrown toenails can often be avoided by cutting the toenail
straight across and level with the top of the toe.
Hammertoe is caused by a shortening of the tendons
that control toe movements. The toe knuckle is usually enlarged, drawing
the toe back. Over time, the joint enlarges and stiffens as it rubs
against shoes. Your balance may be affected. Wearing shoes and stockings
with plenty of toe room is a treatment for hammertoe. In very serious
cases, surgery may be needed.
Spurs are calcium growths that develop on bones of
your feet. They are caused by muscle strain in the feet. Standing for long
periods of time, wearing badly fitting shoes, or being overweight can make
spurs worse. Sometimes spurs are completely painless - at other times they
can be very painful. Treatments for spurs include using foot supports,
heel pads, and heel cups. Sometimes surgery is needed.
Resources
For more information on foot care, contact:
American Podiatric Medical Association
9312 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
1-800-FOOTCARE
http://www.apma.org
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
1216 Pine Street, Suite 201
Seattle, Washington 98101
206-223-1120
206-223-1178 (fax)
aofas@aofas.org (email)
http://www.aofas.org
For more information on health and aging, contact:
National Institute on Aging
Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20898-8057
1-800-222-2225
1-800-222-4225 (TTY)
http://www.nih.gov/nia
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