Helpful information and effective remedies regarding everyday foot problems

Human body undergoes different phases of transformation with age, disease, disability or even pregnancy. These affect each body organ and that includes the foot too. With growing irregularities and changes, every individual encounters foot problems, either rarely or frequently. While some foot conditions are hereditary, many are caused due to hormonal changes, inadequate exercises or insufficient calcium intake. According to a study conducted by the US Public Health Service, even racial factors can determine bone strength, e.g. Blacks experience comparatively lesser foot problems than whites since they have higher bone mass.

While the hereditary factor can’t be controlled, it is possible to monitor lifestyle and life-stage factors to a great extent, thus ensuring a healthy foot throughout life. There are certain common foot conditions which people experience now and then; few of these are discussed below:-

• Calluses – result from accumulation of dead skin cells. An area of the foot is hardened and thickened causing discomfort or even pain while walking. Calluses usually happen from wearing high-heeled or ill-fitted shoes. So the best remedy is to shift to comfortable footwear with adequate padding or custom-made insole to protect and soothe the affected portion.
• Bunion – is one foot problem which falls into the serious category. One alarming aspect about Bunions is that it is hereditary and often affects both feet. A kind of arthritis or bone de-generation, this foot condition starts as a bony bump on the outside of big toe. Switching to orthotics and doing regular exercises helps in alleviating bunion related pain to great extent.
• Hammertoes or twisted toes – is a kind of deformity whereby your toes bend or curl downward thus resembling bird’s claws. The condition can cause extreme discomfiture while walking or flexing your foot. Apart from being hereditary, this disease may result from calluses, bunions, corns or due to severe neurological trauma. Ill fitting shoes might also be the culprit. To get relief from hammertoes, shift to shoes with high and broad toe box.
• Morton’s Neuroma – is another common foot problem which can cause extreme pain, swelling or inflammation of a nerve. Numbness, cramping and tingling sensation in the forefoot are few other symptoms of this foot condition. Usually the portion between third and fourth feet gets affected by Neuroma. The best way to relieve pain and treat Neuroma is by selecting footwear which comes with high and wide toe box. Another effective treatment is to have orthotic designed with metatarsal pad.
• Ingrown toenails – can be a painful condition which arises due to inaccurate nail trimming. Sometimes it can be hereditary too. While the ingrown toenail cures by itself as the nail grows sometimes the pain and discomfort becomes unbearable and the area may get infected in extreme cases. Apart from trying out some home remedies, it is a wise idea to approach a podiatrist to get rid of the infected nail through a nominal surgical procedure.

If foot problems keep recurring after regular intervals, then don’t ignore.  Get in touch with a foot care specialist for professional and precise guidance. 

Diabetics and foot problems

People who suffer from diabetes are at a high risk for a number of problems including foot ailments. Some of the common foot problems that people who suffer from diabetes could get are diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, athlete’s foot, fungal infection of the nails, ingrown toenails, bunions, calluses, corns, blisters etc.

Preventing diabetic related foot problems

By taking care of your diabetes, you are taking care of your foot problems too. But even so, it is advisable for a diabetic to see a podiatrist regularly to make sure that they are not at risk from any kind of foot ailments. Wearing the right kind of shoes can go a long way in keeping foot problems at bay. 

There are some good looking shoes especially made for people with diabetes. They look good and protect the feet. Some of them are:

The Orthofeet Women's Slip-On Wedge 

This is a therapeutic shoe that looks as great as it feels. Orthofeet shoes offer the most comfortable fit and pain relief for those suffering from diabetes, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, bunions, hammertoes, corns, Morton’s neuroma, and swollen feet and toes. Orthofeet Easy Slip-On Low-Heel shoes combine handsome, non-binding design, along with a unique closure system and therapeutic shoe detailing for the ultimate comfort and protection. 

Orthofeet Women's Slip-On Wedge Shoe with a strap

This is a lightweight shoe with a moderate wedge design that provides comfort and looks attractive. It has supple leather with extra foam padding in the tongue and collar. The hook and loop straps and a wide opening make for an easy on/off shoe. The construction across the metatarsals provides extra room, if needed, to accommodate swollen feet and forefoot deformities, especially bunions. It has seamless fabric lining, padded with foam enhances comfort and protection. It has a stretchable padded collar along the entire edge of the upper insures comfortable fit, box and eliminates pressure points. Wider and deeper toe box ensures a comfortable fit, even for those with hammertoes and corns. It has a cushioning sole for added comfort. It is made of light weight EVA midsole and rubber outsole. It has an adjustable and customized fit with a single strap that can be fastened on either side of the shoe. 

SteriShoe Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer

The SteriShoe Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer is a safe, easy and highly effective way to provide a healthier in-shoe environment for feet and is doctor tested and recommended. It kills up to 99.9% of the germs that cause foot infections and offensive shoe odor and helps keep at-risk feet safer. The combination of sweat and heat inside the shoe makes for a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria and fungi that cause toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, and foul odor. And when foot conditions already exist, then shoes can also be a common source of post-treatment re-infection. Therefore, to fully minimize the likelihood of new or re-infection, germs must be eradicated at the risk source! Hundreds of doctors dispense SteriShoe and patients across the US benefit from SteriShoe every day. 

The innovative SteriShoe® shoe sanitizer kills the germs that reside inside shoes with a special germicidal ultraviolet light (UVC). With the first treatment, SteriShoe destroys up to 99.9% of the microorganisms in shoes, including the bacteria and fungi that cause toenail fungus (onychomycosis), athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and offensive foot odor. SteriShoe is also an excellent choice for those with diabetes or concerned about their foot hygiene.

With this kind of good looking and comfortable shoes available, people suffering from diabetes no longer need to compromise looks for protection.