THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR FEET
Feet are pretty spectacular, they are our means of balance, support, and movement. A poor foundation of can cause problems throughout the whole body, affecting posture and balance which is the common cause of pain in the hips, knees, lower back and even all the way up to the head, and are a contributing factor to trips and falls.
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Feet are often overlooked, but they play a far more important role in our overall health than many people realise. They’re sometimes referred to as the "mirror of the body" because they’re directly connected to the heart and brain through a network of blood vessels and nerves. If something is wrong in the body, it’s often first noticed in the feet—so it makes sense to pay attention to them regularly.
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By caring for your feet regularly, you can prevent potential problems and keep them functioning well for years to come.
WHY FOOT CARE MATTERS:
Tips for Healthy Feet:
Taking care of your feet is simple, but can have a big impact on preventing or even solving many common foot problems. Here are some easy-to-follow tips for maintaining healthy feet:
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Wash Daily: Clean your feet with warm water and mild soap, making sure to wash between the toes.
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Dry Thoroughly: After washing, dry your feet carefully, especially between the toes, to prevent moisture buildup.
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Moisturize Regularly: Apply a good foot cream or moisturizer to keep the skin soft and prevent dryness—ideally once a day.
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Trim Nails Properly: Trim toenails straight across to avoid ingrown nails.
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File Nails Smooth: Gently file the edges of your nails to smooth out any sharp or jagged edges.
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Inspect Regularly: Check your feet often, especially the soles and between the toes, for signs of trouble.
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Seek Medical Advice: If you experience any of the following for more than 2-3 days, or notice any of the following symptoms, it’s time to consult a professional:
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Persistent pain or swelling
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Discolouration of nails or skin
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Slow-healing sores
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Changing moles or spots
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Embedded foreign objects
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COMMON ISSUES EXPLAINED
Throughout our lives the feet do a lot of work and are put under constant strain; so it makes sense to take good care of them. Listed below are the common conditions which regularly affect the foot, its important to treat these conditions and get them under control to avoid pain, discomfort and infection.
Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses are yellowish thickened hard skin found on the sole of the feet and toes, mainly caused mechanical stress of incorrect fitted footwear / ill walking. Overtime they can become painful and will need treatment.
Treatment:
Callus can easily be reduced by pairing and smoothing the callus, corns are removed using a scalpel method for instant relief, which is usually pain free. Padding and ointment can be applied to protect the area.
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Fungal Conditions
Fungal conditions can appear on the skin and nails. Athletes foot is a common fungal condition, and usually causes itching, cracking and peeling skin. It thrives in warm moist places and can effect your nails and progress to a fungal nail infection effecting the appearance and structure of the nail.
Treatment:
Thorough cleansing of the feet and anti-fungal preparation. Nail solutions are available, nail cutting and reduction may relieve pressure in the shoes. Personal care advice given. A Doctor can prescribe medication for worsening or spreading conditions.
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Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when the nail penetrates the skin surrounding the nail causing discomfort and infection. Ill-fitting footwear, incorrectly cut nails, and short trauma can all cause a nail to in-grow.
Treatment:
Removal of the offending nail is necessary and can sometimes be painful. If infection is present this will need to be drained, antiseptic applied and a sterile dressing to avoid infection. Antibiotics may be needed from GP.
A Foot Care Practitioner can treat a wide range of common foot problems, to help keep your feet healthy. Some of the issues regularly treated by a Foot Care Practitioner include:
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Corns and calluses
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Ingrown toenails
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Thickened nails
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Cracked heels
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Athlete’s foot
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Fungal infections
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Blisters
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If your condition cannot be treated directly, the Foot Care Practitioner will assess your feet thoroughly and ensure you are referred to a podiatrist for the appropriate care.