Comfortable Shoe Advice

Comfortable SHOE ADVICE Our feet spend the majority of their time hidden away from us, so it's no surprise that they often get neglected. This means that most of us have removed our shoes at some poi nt and been confronted by a very angry looking blister. While some of these problems can be serious, the majority can be easily prevented or treated at home. Read on to find out how. SWEAT & ODOUR Sweaty or bad smelling feet is quite common, but for some people it can be a more persistent problem. Feet can sweat regardless of temperature and it is a problem that is especially common amongst teenagers and pregnant women. Prevention : Invest in medical insoles for your shoes. They have a deodorising effect. Alternate your shoes and give them time to dry out. Use a spray deodorant or antiperspirant on your feet. Dab surgical spirit between your toes after a shower or bath to help dry the skin. : Treatment Anti-bacterial soap called Hibiscrub can help alleviate the symptoms of foot odour. Wash the soap into your feet and leave it there for a couple of minutes before rinsing it away. Doing this twice a day should help significantly. Foot odour is a common problem, but if it persists it could be a warning sign for a medical condition. Şeek the advice of your GP if this is the case. Please note: people with broken skin, such as eczema, should not use Hibiscrub. BLISTERS Blisters are uncomfortable, fluid-filled shells that can appear on the surface of your feet. They usually form if parts of your shoe repeatedly rub against the skin of your foot. This can happen when you don't wear socks, or shoes that fit properly. : Prevention Always wear socks to protect your feet. Keep your feet dry. Wear shoes that fit properly. Treatment : Resist the urge to pop your blister. Although bursting blisters is satisfying, it could lead to infection and slow the healing process. Let the skin peel away in its own time once the area beneath has properly healed. Cover small blisters with a plaster and larger ones with a gauze pad that is taped in place. Alternatively, cut a small doughnut shape out of felt or foam and align it over your blister to protect it from further irritation. CALLUSES/CORNS Calluses can form as a result of excessive pressure on areas of the foot, particularly against areas of the skin that rub against your shoes, a bone or the ground. They are affected by how you walk, the type of shoes you wear, your skin type or an underlying problem, such as a bone deformity. Prevention : Dry your feet theroughly after washing them and regularly apply a foot moisturiser. Flag early signs of discomfort with a podiatrist or GP. : Treatment Never attempt to pick or remove a callus. Soak your feet in a warm bath, rub a pumice stone against the areas of hard skin to remove the build-up of tissue. In more serious cases, people describe calluses as 'walking on stones'. If this is the case, make sure you seek advice from a registered chiropodist /podiatrist. INGROWN NAILS An ingrown toenail u sually affects the big toe and can feel incredibly uncomfortable. People who regularly take part in sports have an increa sed chance of developing them as they are more prone to sweating. Cutting toenails too short can also cause them to become ingrown. : Prevention If your feet sweat, alternate between shoes so they have time to dry out. Avoid tight fitting socks and shoes. Don't cut your nails too short or rounded in the corners; always eut them straight. Treatment : If you have an ingrown nail you should make an appointment with a podiatrist straight away. Apply a clean sterile dressing to the affected area and rest your foot as much as possible. In the meantime, ease your discomfort by soaking your foot in a salty footbath. This will help reduce inflammation and the chances of infection. VERRUCAE Verrucae are small warts that usually develop on the soles of feet. They have the appearance of small puncture marks a and can tum grey or brown as time goes on. Verrucae are Very contagious and can be picked up from warm, moist environ ments like swimming pools and bathrooms. Prevention : Cover any cuts or seratches. Where appropriate, try to keep your feet dry. Wear flip-flops or Verruca socks when walking around communal showers. : Treatment Avoid touching or soratching a verruca; this can make the problem worse and lead to more warts. Simply cov er it with a plaster and this may cure it. bose If a verruca is causing you pain or discomfort, speak to your podiatrist and pharmacist and they can suggest suitable treatments. SWELLING Your feet may swell if you stand or walk for extended periods of time, but this varies from person to person. Swelling can also occur during pregnancy or as a result of injury – usually sprains or fractures. : Prevention Ex ercise can help improve circulation and fluid distribution. Limit salt intake to avoid fluid retention. Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Find opportunities to elevate your feet and interrapt standing and sitting. Treatment : When you're lying down, elevate your legs above your heart. Placing a pillow under your feet as you sleep can help with this. Swelling can also warn of an underlying problem that needs medical attention. Seek medical or emergency advice if you are in pain or discomfort. BUNIONS A bunion is a bone deformity that can take place at the base of the big toe. The clearest sign o this condition is a big toe that points inwards and towards the other toes on the same foot. Prevention : 12 Limit the time you spend wearing shoes with high heels or pointy toes. Shoes that are wide, made of seft leather and fit properly can reduce your risk of developing bunions. : Treatment Non-surgical treatments for bunions will help ease your discomfort or pain, but they won't reverse or correct the issue. Taking painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen can help Wear well-fitting shoes and bunion pads that protect your feet from rubbing against your shoe. Bunions usually get worse as time goes on. If it's affecting your quality of life, seek advice from your GP as they may refer you to be assessed for surgery. HIGH HEELS SURVIVAL GUIDE For women who want to wear heels, there are a few things you can do to avoid become part of these statistics. Uneomfortable - Foot Problems - - Shoes 43% 90% According to The College of Podiatry, nearly half (43%) of women admit to wearing uneomfortable shoes for the sake of fashion. It takes an average of one hour, six minutes and 48 seconds for high heels to hurt. As a result, 90% of women in the UK have foot problems. Get the right fit When you're shopping for a pair of high heels, try to avoid sacrificing comfort for style. Take the time to find a pair that has half an inch of space between your big toe and the front of the shoe. Avoid shoes that feel too tight and narrow on the sides. Heels are special, not a staple High heels are glamour essentials that help elevate your figure and outfit. However, you should limit your time spent wearing high heels; between three to eight hours is the sweet spot. Save your high heels for special occasions and avoid wearing them for the office every day. These heels are meant for walkin' The key to success is taking your time. Hurry, and you risk injury or further discomfort the next day. Make a concerted effort while you're wearing heels to take smaller strides at a slower pace. Put your heel down first and glide yourself forwards. Treat your feet Your feet are subjected to increased pressure and strain while you wear heels. Revitalise them by exereising, stretching and massaging to help inerease circulation and comfort. Take a time-out from heels to streteh Soak your feet in the bath and give them a moisturising massage. your ealf, heel and foot muscles. *************************************************** SOURCES http://www.sepod.org/ foot-health/ cotmon-foot-problem / http://www.nhs.uk/Livewel/foothealth/Pages/Healthyfeet.aspx http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/foothealth/Pages/smellyfeet.aspe http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blistere/ Pages/Treatment.aspr htp://www.nhs.uk/ Conditions/ CornsandCalluses/Pages/Treatment.aspr http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ingrown-toenail/ Pages/Treatment.aspr http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/ Warts/Pages/Prevention.aspx http://www.medicinenet.com/swollen_ankles_and_swollen_fet/page6.htm#can_swollen_ankles_and_swollen_feet_be_prevented http://www.sepod.org/ foot-health/feet-for-life-month/eampaigns-archiva/ feet-for-life-month-2013-embarrassing-feet/ courtesy of www.charlesclinkard.co.uk cc commons