Foot Care

The feet, the part of the body most neglected. Contrary to what most people think, water from the shower flowing on feet does not clean them. It would be best if you scrubbed them with soap or shower gel physically. Otherwise, they can produce a foul odour, poor foot care and inappropriate footwear are related to a variety of health problems. Being on your feet all day can cause pain and discomfort as well as corns, calluses and rough skin. Bad hygiene can cause an unpleasant odour and ruin all your favourite shoes. Feet require as much care and attention as you would give to any other part of your body.

From poor washing techniques, sweat will germinate bacteria and breed it, spreading it to your socks and shoes. Don't make frequent use of footbaths as that can be detrimental and destroy the skin's natural oils, leading to dry and flaky skin, but they are great for relieving the pain caused by standing all day.

Staying in damp and sweaty socks after physical activity, such as attending the gym can lead to foot problems. Bring a change of socks with you. This also applies if you get drenched in a sudden rainstorm or walk through slush. If your feet don't get damp or sweaty, make sure to change your socks daily. Good hygiene practices can prevent a lot of the problems associated with the feet.

Cut toenails regularly. Cut straight across and not too close to the skin with nail clippers. Apart from snagging your favourite tights or socks, you can develop an ingrown toenail. They occur when the edges of the toenail grow into the skin, most commonly on the big toe. Cutting your nails too short, stubbing your toes and wearing ill-fitting socks and shoes can contribute to ingrown toenails. These can be very painful and in a worse case situation, cause an infection of the toe bone. Prevent ingrown toenails with the proper foot care, including good hygiene and appropriate shoes.

Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection that usually appears between the toes. It is highly contagious and spreads fast. If you have it, touch your foot and then your groin, your hand and genitals may also get a fungal infection. It causes discomfort, itching and pain. It is found lurking around pools, gyms and the communal showers at pools and gyms. Flip-flops are typically a poor footwear choice, but not if you go to the pool or gym. Flip-flops or another appropriate shoe should be worn around pools and in communal showers to prevent fungal infections and verrucas.

A verruca is a wart that forms commonly on the sole or top of the foot. Much like fungal infections, they love the conditions at the pool and in communal showers and are super contagious. Children are the biggest carriers. Around half of verrucas will disappear on their own within one year. Treatments are available both over the counter and from your doctor for more persistent infections.

Wearing inappropriate shoes for an extended period can cause muscle strain, twisted ankle, blisters, corns and bunions. These conditions can worsen if you are on your feet all day or walking long distances in the wrong footwear. Trainers and tights don't go together, just as thick athletic socks don't go with dress shoes.

Blisters are the most common complaint of the wrong shoes for the wrong activity. They are fluid-filled pockets of raised skin that can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Do not burst. They will typically go away on their own.

Corns are a normally painless patch of thick skin often found on the soles and toes. They develop to protect the skin from developing blisters. If they become painful, special corn plasters are available from the pharmacy.

Bunions are a bump on the large toe joint. Tight and narrow shoes put pressure on the joint where the big toe meets the foot. Wear properly fitted shoes and avoid high heels to prevent them.

The leading cause of heel pain is called plantar fasciitis. It is an inflammatory condition without a clear cause.

Choose shoes appropriate for the activity. High heels are not very good for hiking and running and best saved for special occasions. They can be the cause behind various foot complaints as well as lower back and posture problems. Flip-flops are great for preventing verrucas and athlete's foot at the pool but don't provide the appropriate foot support for other activities. Shoes need to be properly fitted (not too tight or big) to prevent injury and discomfort.

Resting the foot raised onto some cushions with an ice pack and a dose of ibuprofen may help. Stretch the feet throughout the day and especially before physical activity to prevent this and other foot conditions.

A plaster can prevent burning pain from the rubbing. If you plan on walking a long-distance or standing all day, make sure your footwear provides the correct support for ankles and calves.

Always wash and thoroughly dry feet after a session in the gym or at the pool. Drying is essential because fungi love warm, damp conditions. Anti-fungal creams specifically for athlete's foot are available without a prescription.

Shoes should be fitted appropriately and matched with socks or tights designed for use with that particular type of shoe (to avoid rubbing).

Do not forget feet. Problems with them can cause misery. Keep them clean, dry and happy by following good hygiene practices and wearing correctly fitted shoes appropriate for the activity.