Five Steps to Ensure Your Employees’ Foot Safety

Employees who stand or walk for a prolonged period during their work hours often neglect taking proper care of their feet. As a result, they become more susceptible to different foot related disorders and pain that can have a lasting effect on their overall health. These hazards can not only lead to employees’ compensation claims, but may even trigger a decrease in productivity and an increase in absenteeism. Hence, it has become really important for employers to take care of their employees’ foot safety. Here are five key steps that employers can implement to increase the foot safety of their employees.

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1. Job design: 

Good job design can greatly help to avert fixed positions, particularly set standing positions. An ideal job design should involve different tasks that demand the use of different muscles and there should also be changes in body position after a certain period (say 30-45 minutes). For example, job enlargement that includes an array of tasks in an employee’s duties can help reduce the probability of developing foot problems as it brings more variations in body motion and positions. Another thing that should be emphasized upon is frequent short breaks. When job redesigning seems to be impractical, these breaks can be extremely helpful to alleviate many potential foot problems.

2. Workplace design: 

Though things like anti-fatigue floor mats may seem to be an ergonomically thoughtful gesture to increase the comfort level of the employees, the bulky nature of these mats can cause them to stumble over while moving across the workspace. Ideally, these mats should be replaced with personal anti-fatigue insoles that come with dual layer memory foam to enhance comfort. Employers should also take care of floors that are constantly greasy or wet, uneven or heavily cluttered. Regular cleaning and uncluttering of floors as well as periodic inspections to ensure that the floors meet the comfort and safety standards, are crucial for employees’ foot health. 

3. Employee safety training: 

Many employees often think that they are safe from workplace injuries and thus, ignore the importance of foot safety attire. For these individuals who often tend to avoid wearing recommended rubber boots, puncture resistant insoles, work boots, steel-toe overshoes etc, employers can consider certain steps to make them adhere to foot safety regulations. For instance, a mandatory safety training session conducted several times every year can help employers remind their workforce about safety hazards and encourage employees to comply with foot safety guidelines.

4. Constant reminders to play safe: 

Often when deadlines are approaching, employees rush through tasks and may feel tired or frustrated due to the stressful job environment. This, in turn, can lead to foot injuries. Therefore, it’s crucial for employers to conduct periodic sessions that emphasize on how safety and accuracy come first, over a blind rush to meet deadlines that may compromise both the safety and productivity of employees.

5. Stress on wellness program: 

Fatigue and frustration have become two common issues in today’s workplaces. Both of these bear a direct correlation with stress, which can easily lead to injuries. Offering a wellness program (with emphasis on foot safety) in the form of incentives not only helps to increase employees’ wellbeing but even exhibits that the employer cares about them.

Final words

When an employee has been in the workforce for a substantial time, it begins to take its toll. Proper foot care becomes crucial to prevent stress and strain on the body as well as other associated problems like degenerative joint diseases, reduced circulation etc. Apart from implementing these steps, employers should also motivate their workers about the fact that healthy feet is important at any age, and that it is never too early to learn about how best they can take care of their feet.

5 Ways Your Pedicure Could Be Hurting Your Feet

Whether you have to stand for long hours on the job, or run around for most part of the day, your feet are the ones to take a bad beating every day. Perhaps that is why a pedicure seems like a heavenly gift, where you soak your feet in warm water and the beautician massages and cleans them while doing her magic. You may think pedicure as the ideal solution for keeping your feet clean and healthy but sadly it is not so always. If you ignore to notice the tell-tale signs associated with a pedicure at your chosen salon, your feet may end up being harmed in the long run. If you still do not believe that a pedicure can hurt your feet, here are five ways in which they really do: 

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      1. Dirty tubs and foot baths triggering infections: If the tubs used for giving you a footbath are not cleaned and disinfected properly, they may contain the remnants of the preceding customer. Dipping your feet in them would trigger fungal and bacterial infections. Ideally, between each customer, your salon should use an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant, which usually calls for a 10-minute session of disinfection. However, many do not do it and even those who do, may compromise with the steps of disinfecting the tubs and tools properly when they have back-to-back customers.  

      2. Use of unclean or wrong tools: Unclean tools that are not diligently scrubbed and sterilized increase the risk of fungal and bacterial infection. Even using the wrong tools or being too aggressive with them (say, with the exfoliating tools) may cause skin trauma. For example, if the exfoliating tools are used very vigorously on your feet, it could make your skin on that area to grow back harder and thicker. 

      3. Cuts and bruises caused by razors: The use of a razor by your beautician can cause permanent damage to your skin along with increasing the risk of infection through bruises and cuts, and even the possible transfer of blood between customers. Some salons, while trying to remove callouses, may even end up removing too much of the toughened skin, which in turn can make even walking, a hurtful task.

      4. Busy professionals of reputed salons may hurt your feet in a hurry: While attending to consecutive customers, your beautician may not clean the tubs or tools properly, which would make your feet prone to infections. Apart from your personal hygiene, even salon hygiene may be compromised when the salon staff neglect any or all the steps to clean or decontaminate things (which includes sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing). Nicks, cuts and bruises too may happen when the beauticians are in a hurry and just want to get over with the task so that they can call in the next client.

      5. You are overdoing your pedicures: If you are going for pedicures every two weeks, you may be overdoing it. This way, you would be doing your feet more harm than good as they are being over-exfoliated. Ideally, you should go for a pedicure once every 4 to 6 weeks.

      A pedicure needs to be a relaxing experience where your feet and legs are taken care of by experts in the right way. So, choose a reliable salon know for its high standards of cleanliness, and that which has experienced beauticians to do your feet (and even your money) justice. 

5 Foot Care Tips for Diabetics

For diabetics, the foot often becomes one of the most problematic areas of their body. The extremities can get deprived of adequate blood flow because of diabetes, leading to deprivation of oxygen and nutrients. Apart from problems like blisters taking more time to heal, and numbness in the feet, the area may also become more prone to infections. All these make it more important for diabetics to take good care of their feet to avoid serious complications. Here are some essential diabetes foot care tips to keep your feet healthy.

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      1.       Manage your diabetes well

      There is a direct relationship between diabetes and damage to your nerve cells. The better you manage your diabetes, the healthier your feet will be for a prolonged time. If you have a foot infection, uncontrolled diabetes can make it difficult for the body to fight it. So, it is important that you work with your doctor to manage diabetes and keep your blood sugar level within range.

      2.       Stay active

      Staying active can help your feet to function properly and feel stretched. While exercise for diabetics certainly isn’t one-size-fits-all, low impact fitness programs that include walking, swimming, yoga etc can prove to be helpful as they don’t put excessive pressure on the feet. However, it’s crucial to ensure you have proper footwear for whatever activity you prefer to get started with. If you choose the wrong footwear that offer inadequate support to your feet, you may end up hurting your feet, which could create complications due to your pre-existing diabetes.

      3.       Check your feet daily and keep them clean

      Carefully observe your feet everyday to identify blisters, cuts, swelling, soreness and red spots. It’s good to have a mirror to thoroughly check the bottom of your feet. If you have difficulty seeing, ask a family member to do it.It’s also important to wash your feet everyday properly. Remember to use lukewarm water instead of hot water. Drying your feet after washing should be done the right way since the space between your toes is heavily airtight, and leaving the region moist may lead to infections. Towel off thoroughly to prevent this from happening.

     4.       Trim toenails carefully

      Trim your toenails every week or as and when needed. Trim them straight across without cutting too short. File the edges with a nail file or an emery board. Remember to avoid knife or conventional scissors, and don’t bite, pull or tear the toenails. Have them trimmed by a professional if you find it difficult to see or reach them.

    5.       Protect your toes from cold/hot temperature 

      Always wear shoes when walking on a hot pavement or at the beach. Avoid putting your feet into hot water. People with diabetes often develop neuropathy, which makes it difficult to feel the right temperature of hot water that may lead to scalding of the skin. You can use the elbow to check the water temperature instead. Also, if your feet get cold at night, wear socks.

Even seemingly harmless feet hazards may turn into serious conditions if you ignore them,    especially when you have diabetes. Ideally, you should consider consulting a podiatrist when developing your diabetes healthcare routine instead of heading straight to the pharmacy for over-the-counter products for taking care of your feet.

Troubled with Foot Pain? 5 Shoe Types that could be the Trigger

Love wearing flip-flops when taking a walk around the neighborhood? Can’t do without your high heels at work? Most people don’t apply their mind when picking their shoes – for the workplace, a trek, or a vacation on the beach. It’s only long after pain and discomfort set in, they start searching for reasons.

More often than not wrong choice of shoes emerges as a major contributing factor. If you are one of the many suffering foot pain or other foot ailments, take a closer look to check if your shoes are your undoing.

5 Shoe types that could wreck your life

1. Flip-flops:  

Your love for flip-flops notwithstanding, you should acknowledge that they provide little support or protection to your feet. When you use flip-flops for intensive walking, you are sure to miss heel cushioning, arch support and shock absorption. This can trigger foot pain, plantar fasciitis and tendonitis. In case you trip wearing your flip-flops, you may even suffer from sprained ankles. Therefore, it’s best to think of minimal wear of this kind of footwear at the swimming pool, beach or shower.

2. Ballet flats: 

They may feel comfortable at first but in reality, they are just like wearing an extremely thick sock. With no arch support and very small padding in insoles, the ballet flats do nothing good to your feet. Walking with them can tear, overstretch, or inflame the plantar fascia. No wonder why wearing ballet flats worsens plantar fasciitis and triggers problems in your hips, knees or back. 

3. Platform shoes: 

Though they are better than high heels to add to height, they are bad to wear since they compromise your normal gait. They add height to both the forefoot and the hind foot, but decrease forefoot pressure. Additionally, the shoe’s height leads to ankle instability, which in turn can cause sprains.

4. Stiletto heels:

Despite being the stylish choice for most women, they cause your front feet tremendous pressure, which can aggravate bunions, trigger sesamoiditis (inflammation of the small bones located below your big toe), metatarsalgia (inflammation of and pain in the ball of your foot), stretched Achilles tendon and other biomechanical forefoot problems. Wearing tight heels that pinches your toes and squeezes them together can even lead to irritated and thickened nerves, or neuroma (swelling of the nerves in the ball of your foot). 

5. Worn-out shoes:  

Podiatrists advise you to throw out your worn-out shoes without any hesitation. If foot problems have already afflicted you, worn-out shoes can worsen them depending on the kind of your footwear. Since the soles of such shoes have flattened out, they offer little shock absorption, thereby making your feet prone to injuries and problems like Achilles’ tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and knee pain.

As online shopping is steadily becoming popular, many people these days tend to buy shoes going by digital pictures of fashionable wear. Unfortunately, they might end up with a very uncomfortable fit. So, choose your shoes wisely and correctly in consultation with an experienced podiatrist especially when you suffer foot ailments.

5 Tips for Healthy Feet in Winter

Many of us take care of our feet in summer; the sandals and flip-flops we wear do not hide telltale signs of any foot ailment. However, when winter comes, your feet stay hidden under socks and boots. The cold, snow and ice of the season may trigger several foot problems, and you may not even notice them. You just cannot ignore proper foot care during winter. Given below for your benefit are 5 tips for sound foot health during this season.

Select the right shoes and socks for winter

If you plan to stay outdoors for long, invest in waterproof shoes. The shoes you choose should have adequate grip to prevent slips and falls on snow-covered slippery surfaces. Since wearing woolen or thermal socks will help keep your feet warm, make sure your winter shoes have some extra room to accommodate thicker socks.

Keep your feet moisturized and clean

Keeping your feet clean is as essential in winter as it’s in summer. You may either use a little soap and water to wash your feet or soak them in a tub of lukewarm water; add a little baking soda to the tub of water to make your feet feel refreshed. Make sure to apply some moisturizer on your clean feet as winter makes the skin dry and flaky.

Walk carefully

Don’t run or make any sudden movements on pavements and roads covered with snow, or you may end up hurting yourself. Even when you wear shoes with a good grip, it pays to walk carefully. Ligament tears and ankle sprains are very common in winter and it would be good to be a little careful rather than feel bad later.

Combat foot odor

You feet can’t breathe in winter when they are covered in woolen or thermal socks all day long and kept confined in boots or covered shoes made of rubber, vinyl and other synthetic materials. No wonder you have to battle unpleasant foot odor.

You should wash your feet with an antiseptic soap every time you return from outdoor work; it is the simplest way to get rid of this problem. In case you are on travel, check for some vodka in the hotel room mini-bar; you can dab a little on your feet and the alcohol will kill the odor-causing bacteria.

Stay protected against chilblains

Chilblains occur due to abnormal response to cold. These tiny, itchy lumps on the skin can be very painful, although they usually go away in one or two weeks. In case you tend to develop chilblains, you should avoid excessive exposure to the cold and try to stay warm. If you have already developed chilblains, you need to consult your podiatrist for medications to get speedy relief.

Dry and itchy skin as well as cracked heels are other winter problems. Apart from keeping your feet clean, dabbing some foot cream lotions or applying honey can help combat cracked heels. Those using the gym may tend to develop foot fungus in winter. Wearing shower shoes in the locker room and keeping your feet dry can help you stay away from it.

Although winter brings its fair share of foot problems, you can keep your feet healthy with these simple tips. In case of complications causing concern, you would do well to consult a reputed podiatrist with experience and expertise. So, put your best foot forward this winter.

4 Common Foot Problems Plaguing Runners

Of all parts of the body, the feet happen to be the boon or bane of runners; that is perhaps why most runners have a love-hate relationship with their own feet, depending on the fortunes or misfortunes of their chosen profession. Runners have to deal with various foot problems – from overuse injuries and blisters to fractures and soreness.

While some of these conditions can be treated easily with medication, shoes with proper support and orthotics, others may need elaborate treatment together with staying off the running track for quite some time. Listed below are four most common foot problems that are anathema to runners:

Plantar fasciitis

Runners who intensify their training sessions all of a sudden, or use shoes with improper support may feel acute pain on the bottom of their feet. This happens because of the inflammation of plantar fascia, a thick fibrous layer of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. This foot problem is known as plantar fasciitis. Those with too weak or tight calf muscles are also prone to this condition.

Foot doctors advise using proper running shoes with inserts or orthotics to avoid this ailment, the victims of which would benefit if they stretch their feet, apply ice on the bottom of their feet and roll the affected foot (after the pain has subsided) on a tennis ball.

Stress fracture

Though stress fractures can occur in any of the several bones comprising the foot, they are most likely to affect the metatarsals (a group of five long bones that lead to the base of each toe from the mid- and hind-foot). Runners do suffer from stress fractures when they step accidentally on potholes, stones or uneven surfaces. Staying off the running track is the only solution in such cases to let the affected bone heal.

Athlete’s foot

This is a fungal infection affecting the foot skin, especially between the toes. Runners who sweat a lot and leave their skin moist for a long time are prone to this ailment. Since this is a mildly contagious disease, contact with an infected person or towels, shoes, etc., can increase the risk. The fungus could also be present on the floor of showers or locker rooms shared by runners. The best way to guard against this disease is to keep the skin dry between toes, wear absorbent socks and change wet shoes as soon as possible. 

Friction induced problems

Shear force works on foot skin while one runs; it can cause accumulation of fluid in some areas leading to blisters. Corns and calluses can occur when shear forces aren’t strong enough to form blisters. To reduce the friction at work between the feet and the shoes, a runner should wear well-fitted shoes along with absorbent socks. Applying petroleum jelly on the affected area or using prescription treatments would offer speedy relief from these friction-induced foot ailments.

The foot is an amazingly complex mechanism that comprises several muscles, tendons, bones and ligaments. All these parts have to work well together for a good running practice. A single disruption, injury or ailment of any of these parts would affect the proper function of the feet. Runners should never ever ignore foot pain or any other discomfort: they should consult promptly an experienced foot care specialist.

Diabetic Foot Care: 5 Important Tips

Diabetes can impair blood supply to your feet and trigger diabetic peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensitivity of nerves to pain, temperature, and pressure particularly in the legs and feet). Because of this, foot injuries take a longer time to heal; cuts, bruises or other foot injuries are likely to go unnoticed and untreated and get worse. Given below are five important tips for diabetic foot care.

1.Managing the condition

You should follow these steps assiduously to manage your foot health effectively: eating a balanced diet (rich in fruits and vegetables recommended), monitoring your blood sugar level, staying active and controlling weight gain with a regular exercise regimen, limiting your alcohol intake and quitting smoking. In addition, regular general health and foot health check-ups are crucial to recognizing red flags and taking prompt treatment.

2.Daily foot inspection

Check your feet every day to spot sores, cuts, corns and calluses, red spots, blisters, infected toenails and swelling. If you find any, attend to them promptly asking your foot doctor for advice. You can use a pumice stone to smooth corns and calluses, but don’t cut them as it can damage your skin and may even cause infection.

Remember to trim your toenails and seek help if you find them yellowish, thick or growing back into your skin. If you find it difficult to bend over and inspect your toes, you can use a mirror or ask your family to help. Every time you return home, make sure you wash your feet, dry them and inspect to see if they are clean.

3.Choosing the right footwear and socks

The right footwear that provides adequate support to your feet is crucial for good foot health. It’s best to buy shoes in the evening when your feet are at their largest – they do swell during the day; that would help you get a good fit. While buying, you should ensure that the shoes do not pinch your toes or feet, and the toe box is comfortable.

According to foot doctors, you should avoid wearing high heels or shoes with pointed toes that put undue pressure on your toes. For daily wear, flat walking shoes or athletic shoes would be a prudent choice. Just like shoes, the right socks too are crucial. Wear lightly padded, clean and good fit socks with no seams; that would help avoid walking barefoot and injuring your feet accidentally.

4.Avoiding barefoot walking

Walking barefoot and stepping on something that hurts or cuts could be dangerous, since you may not notice that your foot is hurt. Even while indoors, avoid going barefoot for all it takes to hurt your feet is a misplaced nail or a child’s toy. As you avoid going barefoot on hot pavements or sandy beaches, be on guard to take the same care when at home.

5.Seeking medical attention for foot ailments

Whether you experience numbness, unexplainable pain, or suffer injuries, cuts or bruises that refuse to heal, don’t try over-the-counter medicines. Consult your foot doctor for correct diagnosis of the cause and proper prescription of medications, taking into consideration pre-existing health condition, if any. You can even seek from your doctor foot care tips on special shoes and orthotic support for free and comfortable mobility.

With conscious follow-up action on these tips and periodical consultation with an experienced podiatrist, you can avoid foot ailments and enjoy perfect foot health, despite your diabetes.

Preventing Foot Discomfort during Air Travel: Five Simple Ideas

You love air travel but hate one thing about it. You get too limited space to relax and sit comfortably. Sometimes it gives you a trapped feeling and can lead to several health problems, the most common being swollen foot.

When you sit for hours at a stretch in the same position, the muscles pumping blood to your feet tend to become inactive, causing inflammation and pain. Low cabin pressure along with dry air circulating in the plane could also lead to swollen foot. Furthermore, dehydration during the flight may worsen foot problems.

Given below are five simple ideas for you to keep in mind to ensure sound foot health during air travel.

1. Reduce salt intake before travel

Daily intake of salt is necessary to enhance your ability to perform. However, it has its downside too. Salt retains fluid, which could lead to swollen foot. Therefore, medical advice for you is to reduce salt intake on the day or even a day before the travel.

2. Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated before and throughout your travel is a good precautionary step to avoid swollen foot. Better, carry your own bottle of water, if you can take it past security. If you can’t, buy one after security clearance in one of the stalls there. Do not hesitate to get it refilled inside the aircraft. A well-hydrated body can forestall the chances of swollen foot. In addition, it keeps you active with frequent bathroom visits!

3. Stroll around in the aircraft

You do not have to sit tight keeping your seat belt fastened after the take off: stroll around in the aircraft when allowed. It keeps blood flowing as you pace along the aisle.

Your movement will be easier, if you can have an aisle seat. If you can’t get one, carry out frequent foot exercises. Rotate the feet and point your toes up, down and sideways. You can even prop your feet up and then down, if the seats next to you are unoccupied.

4. Pamper yourself with foot massage

Another way to avoid swollen foot and ensure blood flow is pampering your feet with a foot massage. Get rid of those shoes, simply put your foot on the lap and give it and the toes a good rub, and some gentle twists. This will reduce the strain, help you feel relaxed and will keep the blood circulating.

5. Place your feet properly

A huge baggage near your feet can be a bothersome obstruction, which prevents you from stretching your feet. If you place your feet in awkward positions, blood flow is affected and it adds to your swollen foot woes. What you should do, therefore, is to keep all your hand luggage in the overhead storage bin, so that you have ample legroom – in airline parlance ‘seat pitch’ – to place your feet comfortably.

You may not be able to avoid taking flights; but you can definitely avoid swollen foot during and after the journey. Wearing proper and comfortable footwear, making enough legroom to stretch and a dose of quick exercise can offer great relief even when you are in mid air. However, if the problem persists after the journey, you should consult an expert podiatrist for timely treatment.

The Basics you should know before a Bunion Surgery

If you have long been suffering from foot pain due to bunions, you may be considering surgery as a feasible option. However, you should know you could get relief from bunions more often by taking appropriate medicines, in consultation with an experienced podiatrist.

Changing your footwear can sometimes be helpful. If all other options fail, surgery remains the only solution to get rid of this foot pain once and for all.

If you are decided on a bunion surgery, make sure you have gathered enough information about the procedure. Given below are a few such basic details you should know before the surgery. 

Suitability for bunion surgery

Age is not really a serious issue for this foot surgery. Anyone can undergo this operation, provided they are in good health. The following foot conditions indicate strongly the surgical option:

• Difficulty while walking or carrying out regular activities
• Pain while wearing shoes
• Inability to move the big toe properly
• Constant swelling of the big toe
• Failure of anti-inflammatory drugs in providing relief
• Bending of the big toe towards the other toes in severe cases

Preparing for the surgery

The first step to bunion surgery is a proper consultation with an experienced podiatrist, who has already conducted successfully several such operations. You should provide the surgeon with your medical history, giving critical health information, if any, of diabetes, heart or lung disease, allergies etc.

The doctor may ask you to do a few clinical tests like X-ray, electrocardiogram, and routine blood tests. Inform the podiatrist about the medicines you take. Usually the doctor instructs you how to get prepared before the day of surgery. 

Risk factors

Just like any surgery, bunion operation has its share of risks too. You may have prolonged toe pain/irritation, which arises due to insertion of hardware during the surgical procedure.

The operation may leave you with complications such as over/under correction, stiffness of the big toe joint, prolonged swelling/infection and nerve problems. Moreover, the most disheartening point is that bunion tends to recur after a few years in spite of a successful surgery. 

Recovery after the surgery

Generally, the recovery time varies from two to six weeks or even more. If you expect that your foot would retain its prior-to-surgery scarless look, then you will not be happy with the outcome! Mostly the operation leaves you with an unpleasant bump on the side of your toe, which is not easy to hide. In addition, you will suffer some discomfort or other after the surgery.

A detailed discussion with the foot specialist is necessary for you to be fully aware of what it means to undergo a bunion surgery, and to have a realistic expectation about its outcome. Clarify with the podiatrist all the issues that keep worrying you, get satisfactory answers, and then only should you decide on and proceed with the surgical procedure.

Taking Care of Your Foot Health: Five Shoe Categories You should Strictly Avoid

The definition of a ‘good’ pair of shoes varies from person to person. While current trends of style and fashion remain the prime criteria for many consumers, there are some, who consider durability of shoes as of crucial importance. Maybe, women buyers are typically charmed by style. They pick up shoes which have instant appeal. Unfortunately foot health seems to merit the least consideration.

Buying a good pair of shoes is not really rocket science, but it’s not that easy either. Often people invest in flashy pairs only to discover later those shoes are unsuitable for foot health. Here we take a look at five particular shoe categories which you should try to avoid at any cost.

Ultra-narrow high heels

As maintained by expert podiatrists, your ‘ultra-narrow high heels’ is to blame for painful foot conditions. Such a pair can cause soreness of Achilles tendon. As the high heels position your feet unnaturally, the extra stress on your foot bones may result in hairline fractures. If you love to wear narrow heels, the safer choice would be to shift to chunky heels with greater surface area.

Ballet flat

As a ballet flat doesn’t offer any arch support, it hampers normal foot function. This can cause not only knee pain, but also hip and back problems. Another painful condition you might experience due to little arch support is plantar fasciitis (pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia that connects your heel bone to your toes). If you can’t really resist the temptation of a cute pair of ballet flats, go in for orthotic inserts to provide extra cushioning to the heel portion.

Flip-flop slipper

A flip-flop can be trendy, no doubt, but it doesn’t offer adequate protection to your foot. When you wear a flip-flop, most parts of your foot remain exposed, and are thus vulnerable to sudden injuries; suffering unexpected cuts and scratches is quite common. If you are diabetic, you should strictly avoid the flip-flop. Sandals with adequate thickness would be comparatively safer.

Platform shoes

When you take a close look at a pair of platform shoes, you will notice the rigid foot beds; whether they serve to add value to foot wear fashion or not, they certainly serve to obstruct normal foot function.

When you walk, it’s normal for your foot to bend a little; but the rigid platform soles resist the bending. If the shoe heels happen to be much higher than the toe portion, greater pressure is applied to the metatarsal bones. Consequently, your foot health is affected considerably. Flatter platform shoes would be a better alternative though not advisable.

Pointy toe shoes

Pointy toe shoes may be your favorite, simply because of the extreme trendiness. However, you pay a heavy price for the pointed toes: if you wear such shoes regularly, your toes get crushed constantly, leading to foot conditions like blisters, hammertoes or bunions.

In worst cases there can be nerve pain too. Sometimes your toenails may develop bruises as well.  Shoes with wider toe boxes may offer some relief to your sore feet.

Buying a pair of shoes is not simply for proclaiming your style quotient: it should be more for preserving your foot health. If you are still uncertain of the right shoe selection, do consult an experienced podiatrist for healthy guidance.

Foot arthritis and its effective cures

Foot is one integral body part which needs to be in perfect shape, so as to ensure healthy living. It may sound unbelievable but the fact is that a normal human being needs to take almost a million steps in a year! Hence it is quite natural that after a certain age several foot conditions start raising their heads, foot arthritis being the most common of them. According to medical practitioners, now-a-days, foot problems start showing at much younger age which is indeed a matter of concern. Discussed below are several aspects of foot arthritis and its effective cure.

What is foot arthritis and what are its effects:-

Arthritis results in serious foot conditions which can restrict the patient’s mobility and normal functioning to a great extent. Basically there are three types of arthritis because of which your feet can suffer. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation of the lining of joints thus destroying bones, joints and tissues. Patient usually starts feeling discomfort in the foot or ankle portion. If not treated at an early stage the problem can take a serious shape. Some researchers feel that the condition is caused because of the presence of some 
particular types of genes.

Osteoarthritis is an even more serious arthritis when cartilages, covering ends of bones, are damaged so that when these uncovered bones rub against each other, it causes stiffness, weakness and severe pain.

Obesity, family history or old age is considered common causes of Osteoarthritis. Post-traumatic arthritis is similar to osteoarthritis but the only difference is that it develops due to trauma or injury of the foot. Fractures and dislocations are the most common types of injuries that may lead to Post-traumatic arthritis. Most often this problem starts showing years after receiving the injury.

How to be sure about foot arthritis?

The best answer is to visit a foot specialist who will carry out thorough examination of the foot with focus on the painful area. The patient’s medical history is also taken into consideration so as to assess if the foot condition is related to any past foot injury or whether arthritic problems run in the family. Depending on the severity of the condition, the podiatrist may suggest X-ray so as to have a clear view of the bone structure. The patient may be asked to do the Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI, which also assists in diagnosis.

Best cure for foot arthritis:-

If the pain is insufferable, doctors might prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines or cortisone injections. However such treatments are usually advised for limited period. Podiatrists mainly stress on shifting to comfortable footwear and orthotics like shoe inserts or arch supports, so that your feet get better padding and shielding from extreme stress.

In acute cases, customized shoes or orthotics are recommended. Care needs to be taken so that the orthotic is manufactured as per the Podiatrist’s instructions. Apart from these, physical therapy helps relieving pain and foot stiffness. Doctors further prescribe nutritional supplements so as to strengthen bone structure and body resistance. Surgery like Arthroscopy or joint replacement is mostly regarded as the last resort. 

How to deal with foot conditions arising out of diabetes

Diabetes, also called the silent killer is one serious disease which affects health in a serious manner. The blood glucose commonly known as blood sugar level rises to an extreme extent either because of inadequate insulin production or because body cells don’t respond to insulin. Sometimes both may happen thus worsening the condition. The end result: several complications related to heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves and skin. 

When an individual is affected with diabetes certain foot problems can take serious turn. Even ordinary problems become severe. This happens because of nerve damage when your feet loose sensation. 

Alarming foot conditions related to diabetes

• Neuropathy How does it feel when your feet can’t sense anything! No pain, heat nor cold, even if you get injured. A stone or a pin may get tucked inside your shoes and you wear it the whole day without realizing anything. Your foot may get injured but you fail to notice it till the skin breaks down and gets infected. You don’t sense any painful blisters. Yes, this sounds really creepy and dangerous! This is what diabetic neuropathy can cause to your foot – serious nerve damage. Because of neuropathy, you may notice sudden changes in the shape of feet and toes, commonly called hammer toes, Charcot feet or Bunions.
  While for some these symptoms remain mild and unnoticeable for many the neuropathy can turn out to be painful, grave and even fatal too.
  
• Skin changes
Your foot skin may turn dry, start to crack or peel. This is because nerves which control oil and moisture fail to work properly.

• Calluses
Development of callus happens more often and the growth is quite alarming. If not treated in time, these can turn into open sores or ulcers.

• Poor blood circulation
Your foot loses the ability to fight infection and heal fast. Because of diabetes blood vessels of the foot and leg become narrow and hard. Poor circulation results in inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrition to skin and other tissues.

Foot care for diabetes affected patients 

As mentioned in the very beginning, diabetes being a silent killer, often gets detected at a later stage. However by leading a healthy lifestyle and consulting a physician on regular basis, it is possible to keep this killer disease under control. For particular foot conditions arising out of diabetes, it is better to get in touch with a podiatrist. Since foot care and diabetes are closely related only an expert “foot doctor” will be able to guide you about the right course of treatment. 

Many podiatrists recommend specially designed orthotics with Plastazote foam, for diabetic foot. Plastazote, also referred as soft tissue supplementation, are available in two densities. The softest density is used for cushion on top while the firmer density offers bottom support. The best thing is that after 2 to 6 weeks of usage they mold perfectly with the curves of your feet thus providing the right comfort and protection for diabetic foot. Many diabetic patients have benefited by wearing footwear containing Plastazote foam. However, make sure that the footwear has removable insoles, high & wide toe box, rocker soles and firm heel contours. 

By following a healthy routine and keeping close watch of your foot conditions you can avert severe outcomes. To ensure protection from cuts and bruises, try to wear shoes with socks most of the time. Using heating pads to keep the foot warm can be risky since you may not feel the rising temperature. If any cut or bruise takes time to heal then get in touch with your doctor. For appropriate foot care tips, do consult an expert podiatrist.