Cracked heels are the least of your problems. Here's how to tackle the
really daunting ones
If your neglected piggies wouldn't win prizes for prettiness, you're not
alone. It's tempting to hide ugly tootsies in woolly socks and comfy slippers,
but ignoring foot problems can lead to more health issues, including long-term
back pain and infections.
Chilblains
What are they?:
They are inflamed skin capillaries that appear as red
swellings accompanied by stinging and blistering.
Top toe tips -
Keep your feet warm. If your feet get cold, it's
crucial to gradually warm up the skin to avoid making the capillaries flare up.
Try gently massaging in a moisturising cream to encourage blood circulation
into the colder areas.
Athlete's foot
What is it?:
A contagious fungal infection causing an itchy rash
to develop in the spaces between the toes. Anyone can get athlete’s foot -
don't be misled by the name. It's commonly caught by people who wear tight
shoes for long periods of time.
Top toe tips -
Try not to scratch as it can cause the skin to swell
and sting. Use an antifungal treatment to clear the infection. To prevent
re-infection, wash your feet and thoroughly dry the skin between the toes.
Verrucas
What are they?:
Warts caused by the human papilloma virus family that
develop on the soles of the feet. They're commonly caught from public areas
such as swimming pools and gyms.
Top toe tips -
Get them treated as soon as they arise. Try gels that
form a protective barrier over the affected area. Wear flip-flops in swimming
pool changing rooms. If the verruca persists, see a podiatrist.
Fungal nail infection
What is it?:
Thickened, yellowing toenails could be a sign of a
fungal nail infection, often caused by an infection. Left untreated, it can
destroy the nail.
Top toe tips -
It's worth trying an over-the-counter fungal nail
treatment cream or drops first. File down the infected part so it's smooth, and
apply nail paint treatment daily.
Blisters
What are they?:
Friction between your foot and shoe or between toes
can cause upper layers of skin to rupture, forming a pocket that fills with
liquid.
Top toe tips
- Don't burst them. Use blister plasters, which repel
water, dirt and bacteria. Clean an open blister with soap, and cover it with an
antiseptic ointment before using a protective soft gel dressing.
Ingrown toenail
What causes it?:
Ingrown toenails occur when the sides of the toenail
grow into the skin. Badly cut toenails and tightfitting shoes are two possible
causes. Untreated, an ingrown toenail can become infected and may even require
surgery.
Top toe tips -
If it is in the early stages and mildly inflamed, trim
the nail straight across, and not into the corners, to help prevent pieces of
nail continuing to dig into the surrounding skin. Try to push the skin away
from the nail using a cotton bud.
Corns
What are they?: Corns develop from an
accumulation of dead skin cells, which form thick, hardened areas on the toes.
Common causes are ill-fitting shoes. Corns contain a coneshaped core with a
point that can press on a nerve below, causing pain.
Top toe tips
- Wear properly fitted footwear with extra room in
the toe area. To prevent corns from inflammation, wear protective corn caps or
shields.
Times of India
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