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Keeping Feet Naturally Healthy: A Podiatry Blog


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Keeping Feet Naturally Healthy: A Podiatry Blog

When I worked as a volunteer in a nursing home, I always worried so much about the residents' feet. Many of them had cracked, dry feet, and some of them had nerve issues, back pain due to feet issues and excessive swelling. In many cases, they waited so long to get care from a podiatrist that their feet were in a terrible state by the time they got help. I started to take care of their feet before they got too hurt, and while doing so I learned many natural care tips as well as when to call for help from a podiatrist. If you are an elder, work with elders or have general concerns about feet and podiatry, this blog is for you. Hi, my name is Opal, and I want to welcome you to this blog!

Reasons You May Need To Visit a Podiatrist

Your feet not only function toward keeping you mobile, but they also bear the brunt of your body's weight. As such, they are prone to a myriad of injuries, stresses and deformities over time. It is pertinent to ensure that your feet remain healthy for you to be able to comfortably engage in your daily activities. If you notice a problem and cannot establish the cause or treatment, it is best to seek the medical advice of a podiatrist before the health issue becomes aggravated. Here are some of the reasons why you may need to visit a podiatrist.

The development of athlete's foot.

Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection. It is characterized by blistering, cracking and peeling of your skin. You may also notice symptoms such as redness or the development of scaly skin. Athlete's foot will typically present itself between your toes, as this area is usually moist. It may also present itself at the heel of your feet in the form of dry and flaky skin. Athlete's foot can be picked up from communal areas like public swimming pools, showers and more. A podiatrist will typically recommend a fungal ointment for topical application as treatment.

The development of corns.

Corns, which appear cone-shaped, will typically develop on the tops or the sides of your toes. They comprise of hardened skin due to the accumulation of dead skin cells. If left unchecked, corns can become quite painful as the bigger they get, the easier it is for them to press down on the nerves in your toes. Additionally, due to constant friction between the corns and your shoes, they may also become inflamed, which would cause you undue pain. Corns can be prevented by ensuring you wear proper fitting shoes that have sufficient room at the toe box. However, if you already have developed corns then you would need to see a podiatrist to get a topical cream that will gradually eliminate it. A common mistake people make is opt for over the counter remedies such as medicated pads, but this can exacerbate the corns and increase the irritation on your toes.

The development of plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is commonly referred to as heel pain. This pain develops when the plantar fascia tissue, which runs from your heel to the front of your foot, becomes over stretched. This causes inflammation in both the arch of your foot as well as the heel. If left unchecked, you could develop a heel spur. This bony protrusion develops due to constant straining of the arch of your foot. A podiatrist will prescribe medication for the inflammation and the pain, as well as some stretching exercises.