The Importance of Foot Hygiene: Tips and Tricks for Clean Feet

Written by Brittany Stuckless on May 9, 2024

One often overlooked but crucial aspect of personal hygiene is foot care. Your feet carry you through countless activities but don’t always receive the attention they deserve when it comes to cleanliness. In this article, we delve into the importance of foot hygiene and tips for keeping feet clean and healthy. From simple daily practices to preventing infections, we’ll explore this aspect of foot health care together.

Wash Your Feet Daily

First thing’s first, lather up your feet! Use mild soap every day to wash your feet either on their own or while in the shower or bath tub. This not only eliminates dirt and keeps your feet feeling fresh, but if you come in contact with tinea pedis soap and water may be able remove the fungus before it becomes athlete’s foot.

Keep Your Feet Dry

If you fail to keep your feet dry you’re welcoming a wide array of issues. Not only does moisture cause foot odour, but it also creates the type of environment foot fungi love and thrive in. It also leads to skin maceration, blisters, cracking, and peeling. Give your feet a good dry with a nice soft towel. Pay extra attention to the hard-to-reach areas in between the toes, and to go the extra mile, let them bask in the air or in front of a fan.

Moisturize Your Feet

Moisturizing hydrates the feet and fights excessively dry skin. When your skin is too dry it can create fissures and cracks that welcome dirt. So, while keeping your feet dry is essential, remember not to overdo it and turn them into the Sahara Desert!

Wear Clean Socks and Rotate Footwear

Keeping your feet cooped up in dirty socks is a recipe for persistent foot odour and moisture. For the ultimate foot refresh while on the go, change your socks throughout the day.

This also applies to your footwear, especially for less breathable shoes. To avoid having to change your footwear all the time, look for light runners and walkers with perforated holes that let fresh air in and out.

Trim Your Toenails

You may be wondering what your toenails have to do with foot hygiene. Trimmed toenails are less likely to harbour dirt and fungus, while also looking great! Jagged edges and too-long nails can also pierce your socks, which ruins their protective purpose. Learn how to trim your nails like a pro here.

Protect Your Feet in Public Areas

Swimming pools, locker rooms, communal showers — you’re putting yourself at risk of contracting a fungal infection if you frequent these places. If you can’t avoid them, protect your feet with shower shoes and flip flops to keep funky fungi at bay!

Boost Your Foot Hygiene Today!

Now that you understand what to do from home, why not elevate your foot health even more? Come to Feet First Clinic for skin care services, medical pedicures, and much more. Call us at (416) 769-3338 or book an appointment here!

About Author: Brittany Stuckless

Brittany holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Memorial University of Newfoundland. With a diverse background in journalism and marketing, she got her start as a freelance content writer. She currently works as a Marketing Assistant at Real Food for Real Kids in addition to her role as a writer at Feet First Clinic. Previously, Brittany has been a journalist for the Ontario Learning Development Foundation and Immigrant Muse magazine, and an Administrative and Marketing Assistant at Evolve Chiropractic and Physiotherapy. Originally from Newfoundland, she has lived in Toronto since 2014.

Learn more about Brittany Stuckless

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Close up of pedicure and supplies surrounding feet

September 8, 2022

10 Reasons to Get a Medical Pedicure

Lately, medical pedicures have been trending, but why? What's all the hype about, and is it worth it? When you think of pedicures, you may think of nail salons, getting your nails done, or another cosmetic version. In practice, medical pedicures are different. They're a blend of foot care and nail care, bringing out the best of both worlds. Medical pedicures combine the aesthetics of nail care (minus the nail polish) with the foot care benefits provided by chiropodists. A medical pedicure addresses this by treating the toenails and skin of the feet while tending to any emerging foot concerns. It’s a therapeutic pedicure - without nail polish - performed by a qualified foot specialist. Think of our medical pedicure service as a maintenance package for your feet. These sessions include a thorough examination of your feet, as well as careful cleaning of your feet, trimming and filing toenails, removing calluses, corns, and dead skin, moisturizing, and more. These are the top 10 reasons why you should consider getting a medical pedicure: Help prevent ingrown toenails Stave off foot odour Remove painful corns Thorough foot examination Professionally cut or trim toenails Safe, private, and sterilized environment Treat fungal toenail infections Moisturizes your feet Callus debridement Cleans your feet to get rid of onychophosis On top of all of the benefits, a medical pedicure may be covered in part or entirely by your insurance provider. Note that it is not covered under OHIP, so check your private insurance benefits ahead of your appointment. Below you'll learn more about medical pedicures and what sets them apart. 1. Medical pedicures can prevent ingrown toenails Feet First Clinic can help treat and prevent ingrown toenails by properly trimming and cutting your nails. Ingrown toenails can be very painful, cause swelling, and even lead to an infection if left ignored. A foot specialist can cut your toenails straight across and ensure there are no stray pieces at the edges. They’ll also ensure you don’t cut the nail too short which can be a precursor to developing an ingrown toenail. 2. Stave off foot odour Pee-ew. That smell could be your feet. Several factors can lead to increased foot odour, like re-using socks or not letting your footwear dry between uses. Additionally, long toenails and dead skin can contribute to foot odour as it's a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria. These latter two contributing factors are addressed during a medical pedicure. 3. Remove painful corns A foot specialist can safely remove a painful corn, a small circular area of thickened, hardened skin. These are usually found on the non-weight bearing, bonier parts of the foot where the skin is thinner, like the toes. 4. A licensed chiropodist examines your feet Medical pedicures act as double-duty for your feet. Not only do you get a direct benefit to your skin and nails, but a licensed chiropodist also can check for irregularities or any foot conditions. For example, they may discover an unrecognized bone spur, flat arch, or even a cut or scratch on your foot that would otherwise go unnoticed. This proactive measure can help address foot conditions or issues before they become serious. 5. Get your nails professionally cut or trimmed Leave it to the professionals to cut or trim your nails. Whether you have a cracked or split toenail, it's not worth exacerbating the issue. Instead of trying to DIY (do-it-yourself), have it done during a medical pedicure to ensure the toenail is trimmed and curved off. 6. Get footwork done in a safe, private, and sterilized environment A medical pedicure is performed at a clinic in a safe, quiet, private, and sterilized environment. Avoid the crowds of nail salons by getting a medical pedicure done in an environment you trust. All treatments from a chiropodist are performed using medical-grade products and a fresh set of sterilized instruments for each client. The sterilization process used by chiropodists will remove and kill all forms of life that should not be transferred between individuals, in particular micro-organisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and spores. Our clinic is conveniently located at 2481 Bloor St W in Toronto, just steps from the Jane subway station. 7. Treat fungal toenail infections Chiropodists treat fungal toenail infections using mechanical reduction of the nail and topical prescription medications. 8. Moisturizes your feet Finish off with your medical pedicure with foot moisturizer. Our foot specialists high-quality medical-strength moisturizing products as part of the treatment. In addition to leaving your feet soft and smooth, effective moisturizing strengthens the skin, restores elasticity, and can help ward off several skin conditions. 9. Callus debridement A chiropodist can remove thickened calluses during a medical pedicure. Calluses are thickened and hardened layers of skin that develop as a result of pressure or friction. It is the skin’s way of protecting itself from these external forces. Calluses may appear yellow, white, or grey in hue and can be accompanied by dry scaling skin and even fissures. Calluses can have some side effects including altering your gait and could lead to other foot conditions if you're not careful. 10. Cleans your feet to eliminate onychophosis During your medical pedicure, a specialist cleans underneath the toenails to eliminate any onychophosis. Onychophosis — the term used for the buildup of skin cells in the nail folds, plate, and cuticles — can cause thickened toenails and lead to other problems as we age. Proactively addressing this buildup is key for preventing future conditions down the line.

October 24, 2024

How to Prevent Toenail Fungus: Tips from a Foot Specialist

There are two common fungal infections that can target your feet. For your skin, it’s athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), and for your nails, it’s fungal toenail (onychomycosis). Fun fact: Onychomycosis is the name for nail anatomy changes caused by contagious fungus, while dystrophic is the term for any other abnormalities that affect how your nails look or grow. Today’s blog will focus solely on toenail fungus. You’ll learn what it is and how to treat it, as well as some top fungal toenail prevention tips recommended by our Toronto chiropodists. Toenail Fungus Symptoms Sometimes toenail fungus is mild and barely noticeable. But fungal toenail can present more severely if you’re immunocompromised, such as if you have diabetes, or a senior. Keep an eye out for these common symptoms: Drastic changes in the nail’s appearance: it can look much thicker, have a yellowish, brown colour, and be very brittle and prone to cracks, despite thickening. Unpleasant odour coming from the nail: the smell is often reported to be sour or like cheese. The nail starts lifting off the nail bed: this is because debris starts to accumulate and lifts the nail up so it can’t reattach. Pain, swelling and bleeding in severe cases. Toenail Fungus Prevention: Foot Specialist Advice The most important fact to remember about fungal toenail is that it’s contagious. Since fungal infections spread easily in damp, shared spaces like pools, gyms, and shower rooms, the best defense is keeping your feet clean and protected! Here are some top, Toronto-chiropodist-recommended tips to remember: Follow a strict, yet fun and relaxing, foot hygiene routine. It’s a part of self care, after all! Wear breathable footwear. Opt for shoes made from materials that allow airflow to keep your feet dry. Change socks daily. Fresh socks prevent moisture buildup, which fungi love. Avoid going barefoot in public places. Use flip-flops or shower shoes to protect your feet in shared spaces. Keep your toenails trimmed and clean. Regular maintenance helps prevent infections from taking hold. Get a professional medical pedicure if you don’t have time to focus on nail care. How to Treat Toenail Fungus Once fungus has gotten a hold of your nails, it’s time to think about treatment and eradicating the problem. Unfortunately, you can’t do much to treat toenail fungus yourself at home, and you often need a chiropodist’s help. Luckily, treatments are easy to follow and non-invasive. Here’s what a foot specialist can do: Perform nail debridement to remove infected parts of the nail. Use prescription-strength topical antifungal medicine on the nail (it penetrates the actual fungus) Educate you on products you can use going forward to prevent re-infection, like the best moisture-wicking socks, shoes, foot creams, deodorants and more.

October 3, 2024

The Importance of Proper Footwear for Kids in Fall: What Parents Need to Know

Are you wondering how much you need to invest in your kids’ foot health this fall? Not sure what all the fuss is about over getting the best fall shoes for children? While it may seem like your child’s summer shoes can last a little while longer, it’s important to take their foot health needs seriously and make sure they're set up for the fall. We’ve crafted this parent's guide to kids’ shoes in the fall to help you out! Keep reading to learn the main reasons why proper footwear for kids is essential during this beloved season. 3 Reasons Why Your Kids Need Fall Shoes They support back-to-school activities They protect feet from the elements They provide support for growing feet Support Back-to-School Activities Remember the excitement of getting a new pair of athletic shoes every year before that first day of school? Well, there’s a reason your parents did that for you! Many kids up their activity game during back-to-school season. The excitement of reuniting with friends, outdoor recess time, extracurriculars and gym class are all contributing factors to this healthy boost in physical activity. Thus, comfortable athletic shoes for children land inside the fall shoes realm. The best shoes for kids should encourage proper gait patterns. They also feature cushioning for shock absorption, which reduces stress on growing bones and joints during activities like running and jumping. Additionally, supportive footwear can prevent common foot problems such as blisters, calluses, and ankle injuries, the latter of which is a common injury for kids. It's important to ensure shoes have a snug (but not tight!) and secure fit, breathable materials, and a durable outsole for safe performance and comfort. If your child's shoes put pressure on the side of their feet, opt for wide-width shoes. Protect Feet From The Elements Shoes are always designed with seasonality in mind, and just like you need new fall boots, so do your kids. One of the reasons is the slowly declining temperatures and damp, cold conditions. While September and early October are often pleasant weather-wise in Toronto, November can bring sudden frigid air and freezing rain. Wearing the wrong shoes in this weather may cause foot problems like chilblains, or small, itchy swellings caused by poor circulation in response to the cold. Studies show it often targets teenagers. Additionally, shoes designed with weatherproof materials and proper ventilation help ward off bacteria and fungi. Lastly, fall shoes for children correlate with FALL prevention. Colder weather + rain = slippery sidewalks and even black ice formation. For these, your kids need boots with a solid grip. Provide Support For Growing Feet Did you know that children’s bone, muscle and joint growth continues until they reach their early twenties? Child foot development is both fascinating AND fast paced, so you need to keep on top of your child’s needs and assess how much their feet have grown or changed shape when the fall season rolls around. Properly fitted shoes with arch support and cushioning are crucial during growth phases to ensure healthy foot alignment and prevent long-term issues. Likewise, teaching good footwear habits during the foot development phase sets your child up for success! Wearing ill-fitting shoes now can lead to problems in their adult years, and may even cause deformities like bunions and hammertoes decades down the road. Here are our top tips to make sure your child's shoes fit properly: When putting shoes on, get your kid to kick their heel back before lacing or strapping up the shoe. This puts their foot is in the proper position, with the heel in the heel cup and the arch lined up with the arch support. Then use the laces or straps to secure the foot into that position. This will ensure your kid's foot doesn't slide forward when they walk, and also allows you to properly gauge their toe room. If your kid's shoe isn't put on properly, you won't be able to determine whether it fits. Leave about 1 cm of toe room at the end of the shoe. While it's good to leave growing room, it's important not to leave too much room. Otherwise, the shoe will slip and slide around your child's foot and not be secure. And a shoe that's not secure won't provide good support. If you see a gap at the back of the shoe or the shoe moves as your child walks, go down half a size, or make sure the shoe is put on properly (see above). Use the laces to adjust the width and fit. If your child feels pressure on the sides, try loosening the laces. Don't pull the laces too tight. Instead, gently adjust them to the width of your child's feet. If the shoe still feels tight and there's enough room at the end of the shoe, look for a wide width shoe. Don't size up if there already is enough room at the end; you'll just end up with a long narrow shoe.

September 2, 2024

How to Recognize and Treat Ingrown Toenails Safely

Ingrown toenails can be more than just a foot problem. Quite frankly, they're annoying. They can also lead to significant discomfort and even serious complications if not addressed properly. Many people don’t even fully understand what they are or what “ingrown” really looks like, so recognizing ingrown toenails early is crucial! This will allow for prompt, effective and safe ingrown toenail treatment, which will reduce your risk of infection and help you avoid more invasive procedures. Recognizing Ingrown Toenails So, how can you tell if you’re dealing with an ingrown toenail? The first symptoms include pain and tenderness along the side edge of your toenail (the exact location is the called the paronychium, or the soft tissue border around the nail), typically on the big toe. Why the big toe? It is larger and more vulnerable! It withstands the most damaging effects from poor foot care habits (more on that later). You might also notice swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area. If the condition progresses, pus may develop, indicating an ingrown toenail infection. Catching these signs early is key to avoiding further issues. Visually, it may look curved or embedded, or simply like a tiny, strange nail growth attached to the main nail. You may also see skin growing over the nail. Ingrown Toenails Causes Ingrown toenails result from seemingly innocent routines that over time, damage your foot health. These include improper nail trimming — cutting nails too short or rounding the edges (many people do this for aesthetics but it's a big no-no!) which encourages the nail to grow into the skin. Tight shoes that squeeze the toes together (your feet may be wider than you think), as well as injuries to the toenail, are also common culprits. In some cases, genetics may play a role: some people's natural nail shape and growth pattern may make them more predisposed to developing ingrown toenails, like involuted or pincer toenails. Knowing these causes gives you the upper hand in preventing ingrown toenails before they start. Preventing Ingrown Toenails Wherever possible, prevention is always better than cure. By trimming your nails straight across, wearing shoes that fit properly, and keeping your feet clean, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing ingrown toenails and a corresponding infection. If you’re unsure how to cut your toenails properly, especially if you have conditions like diabetic neuropathy, seeking help from a chiropodist for a medical pedicure can be a smart choice. People with diabetes need to be extra vigilant about foot care, as their condition can make them more susceptible to complications from ingrown toenails. Click here to see how a deceptively minor laceration can turn into an ulcer. Regularly checking your feet, especially if you’re prone to ingrown toenails, is also an essential part of care. Treating Ingrown Toenails For mild cases in the early stages, soaking your foot in warm water for 15 minutes 2 times a day can soften the skin and reduce swelling. After, you can wedge a wet piece of cotton under the corner of the toenail to help lift the ingrown portion while it heals. But beware—safe ingrown toenail treatment at home requires careful handling to avoid making things worse. And whatever you do, do not attempt to cut the toenail or dig the ingrown portion out. If there's no improvement in 3 days, or if you're experiencing any pain or irritation, seeking professional ingrown toenails treatment from a Toronto chiropodist is a better idea. For safe ingrown toenail treatment, always see a chiropodist - do not go to a salon. If you try to treat your ingrown toenail at home (or at a salon), you can get an infection and make things worse. Plus, when you do ultimately see the chiropodist, the chiropodist will have to cut the toenail even shorter than they normally would in order to fix the DIY job. This lengthens the healing process. If the pain is severe and you’re waiting for your chiropody appointment, try the following tips for ingrown toenail relief: Soaking your feet in warm (not hot) water with Epson salts: The salt is a natural disinfectant and will help clean the wound so that it doesn't get infected and become further irritated. If there are signs of infection (i.e.: bleeding, discharge), wear a band-aid over the ingrown toenail when you're wearing shoes and socks to prevent bacteria from getting stuck in the wound. Try over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen These can offer temporary comfort before you can address the root cause and follow proper treatment guidelines. Safe Ingrown Toenail Removal Safe ingrown toenail removal with a licensed chiropodist is always the best way to go. Most ingrown toenails do not need to be surgically removed: a chiropodist can typically safely remove it non-surgically with sterilized tools in a sanitized, safe environment. They can also cut the toenail in a way to prevent it from coming back. In severe cases (like if you attempted to fix your own ingrown toenail and it got infected, or your ingrown toenail keeps coming back), safe ingrown toenail treatment may involve a minor surgical procedure from a chiropodist called a total or partial nail avulsion.

August 22, 2024

5 Common Foot Problems and How to Prevent Them

When it comes to foot problem prevention, being proactive is key to maintaining healthy feet and avoiding a future of discomfort. Understanding common foot issues and taking steps to prevent them can help reduce the risk of complications down the road. In this article, we’ll explore five of the most common foot conditions and provide essential foot care tips to help you keep your feet in top shape. Plantar Fasciitis One in ten people will experience plantar fasciitis in their lifetime, making it one of the most common foot issues. Plantar fasciitis at the start, can cause minor discomfort in the arch of the foot or even in the heel. It usually starts when you just get out of bed. It calms down through the day and then the soreness starts at the end of the day. That discomfort, if not properly treated and investigated, can increase and then start to cause stronger and sharper pain. Sometimes this pain can last through the day to a point where you might find it difficult to walk. The main cause is inflammation- constant pulling and tugging on the thick, inelastic fascia itself (midfoot pain). Or, where it inserts from (the heel pain). Pressure can be from the arch pressing down on the fascia: It can also be a tight muscle, like the calf muscle pulling up behind the heel and forcing the fascia to pull away from the heel It can also be a combination of a tight muscle and pulling of the fascia. In rare occasions plantar fasciitis is caused by a nerve entrapment. Prevention Preventing plantar fasciitis is mainly down to figuring out what was the cause in the first place. It might be a biomechanical issue with the feet. It could be due to the shoes that you might be wearing- at home, at work or just around town. In some cases it is due to a muscle imbalance. So figuring out the cause is the first step in treating and then preventing further plantar fascia pain in the future. One of the cornerstone treatments in preventing plantar fasciitis involves prioritizing arch support! It is a good idea to wear supportive shoes with good arch support and shock absorption, especially if you spend long periods standing or walking. Custom or over-the-counter orthotic inserts can also provide extra arch support and cushioning to distribute pressure more evenly across your feet. If you have a muscle imbalance then regular, targeted stretching of your calves and feet is also a healthy foot practice that can prevent foot ailments like plantar fasciitis. Stretching the calves is especially helpful as it reduces strain on the plantar fascia. Check out the best exercises for plantar fasciitis. You can do your exercise routine before bed and when you wake up to prevent this painful condition from affecting your mornings. Some patients have found rolling a tennis ball/ golf ball under their foot can be helpful to break up the inflammation to the area. Or rolling a wrapped frozen water bottle (no longer than 4 mins, then remove, wait to warm then walk) reduces inflammation build up Athlete’s Foot Athlete's foot can affect up to 15% of the global population! It's a fungal infection that usually occurs on the skin between the toes. However it can also start and spread to the arches and then to the boarder of the foot. It can be itchy, red scaly looking and sometimes crack. Inbetween the toes the skin can look more damp than normal. Prevention Athletes foot is prevented if you reduce the causes. It enjoys dark, moist environments with an ample food supply. So your feet can be a perfect place for this to thrive. It can be contagious but also you can be more prone to catching it. So, -if your feet are kept in a constant moist environment. - you go to public pools and walk around barefooted. - if you put your socks on right after having a bath or shower... All these issues increase the risk of catching Athletes foot and allowing it to spread. Prevention is linked to good foot hygiene. Therefore, make sure you wear slippers or flip-flops in public areas such as locker rooms or pools, and avoid walking barefoot in these places. You should also make sure your feet stay clean and dry, as fungus thrives in moist environments. Opt for moisture-wicking socks, foot deodorants and breathable shoes. And never put on your shoes while your feet are damp! If you are daily in the same shoes then try to use 2 pairs of shoes. Use one one day and one pair another day to allow the shoes to dry out. Change the insoles regularly. Morton’s Neuroma Some experts believe that one in three people will experience a Morton’s neuroma at some point. It is characterized by a thickening of the tissue around the nerves inbetween the balls of toes (typically between the 3rd and 4th balls of the toes), and causes pain and discomfort in the ball of your foot. You can get neuromas in other parts of the foot, but between the 3rd and 4th ball of the toes is called a Mortons neuroma Prevention Prevention is the best treatment for a Mortons Neuroma. Preventing the rubbing and thickening of the nerves is a priority. Unfortunately as the nerve thickens there is a chance that it will not go back to normal. Preventing a neuroma is simply by wearing wider footwear in the toebox. You can tell if it is your shoes just by removing the shoes and your soreness should subside. Remember that work shoes, normal outdoor shoes and even slippers can all have an affect on compressing the toes together. Having a heeled shoe puts more pressure upon the balls of your foot- so reducing arch height is also helpful (and if you must wear high heels, make sure they're the healthy kind!). Custom orthotics can provide a way to splay the balls of the foot so even if the neuroma has thickened, it can reduce the pressure the balls of the foot are placing upon the nerves. Ingrown Toenails Our toenails can be a bit troublesome sometimes —they crack, curl, get too thick, and sometimes even surprise us with strange colours! But one of the most common toenail conditions is ingrown toenails. Two out of every ten people visiting a healthcare provider for a foot issue end up complaining about this painful nuisance. Ingrown toenails can occur when a spike of nail is pressing into the skin. It can also happen if you have pincer like nails (involuted) and those nails press into the skin. If you have wider nails, the skin on the side of your toe can be more prone to go into the nail. If the toes are kept in a damp environment then the skin and nails will be soft and more easily press into one another Prevention Prevention comes with finding the cause and preferable no home treatment (in many cases it can make it worse). Apart from scratching your socks, placing a "V" into the nail doesn't do anything. Poor nail care is usually the main culprit especially cutting down the sides of the nail. It is better to allow the nail to grow past the skin line and then cut to the contour of the nail. Cutting straight across can leave angles and cutting down the sides can leave spikes of nail. If your nails are curled around or thickened then professional footcare can help thin down the nail and offer treatments for the curved nail. Reducing dampness can reduce ingrown toenails. Wider footwear (and non tight socks) can reduce the risk of compressing the skin into the nail. In some cases it can be hard to cut your nails effectively, if this is the case then having a medical pedicure from a professional is usually a good preventative option. Calluses Almost everyone will get at least a small foot callus in their lifetime and is a common foot issue. They are thickened areas of skin that develop due to repeated friction or pressure. Initially they can be pain free but as time continues then the callus can build up and adds pressure that that area. This adds more callus and now a cycle starts. Eventually too much pressure and the skin starts to break down and dry blood can appear within the skin. Prevention Callus is best treated by prevention- finding out why the hard skin is there in the first place. So a footcare professional will look at your feet and assess where the hard skin is and then find the cause- where is that pressure coming from. They will then reduce down the hard skin, to break that pressure cycle, then offer advice on how to prevent the hard skin coming back- or reducing its build up. In many cases this is due to poor fitting footwear or a mechanical issue with the foot. Preventing callus build up can be done once a week with a plastic footfile when the foot is dry. Pumice stones are used when the foot is wet. But it is usually a good idea to check the cause by a footcare professional as sometimes too much file or pumice use can make the area sore, affect the good skin surrounding the callus or even make the area worse as you might go too deep. Dry skin is prevented where you moisturize your feet regularly (but not inbetween your toes). It will also help the callus not crack but it won't prevent the callus build up- as that is caused through pressure.

August 19, 2024

Foot Care for Seniors: Common Issues and Maintenance Strategies

Foot care for seniors is a vital aspect of maintaining overall health and mobility. As we age, our feet undergo changes that can lead to various problems, making it essential to prioritize foot health. This article will explore common foot problems in older adults and offer practical foot care tips for the elderly to help maintain mobility and prevent discomfort as much as possible. Understanding Aging Adults' Foot Health Aging adults' foot health often deteriorates due to factors such as reduced blood circulation, thinning skin, and the natural wear and tear on joints and muscles. These changes can lead to an increased risk of developing foot issues, which can severely impact mobility and quality of life. Common Foot Problems in Older Adults Several common foot problems in older adults can arise as a result of aging: Plantar Fasciitis Decades wearing the wrong shoes for your feet = feeling the damage and heel pain when you get older. Seniors are also vulnerable to plantar fasciitis if they have balance and mobility challenges, as these affect the natural gait pattern. In other words, as older adults struggle with movement, they might walk differently, which can put extra stress on their feet and lead to heel pain. Lastly, poor blood circulation means less ability to recover from “micro injuries,” which is essentially what plantar fasciitis is. Bunions Bothersome bunions affect seniors more than younger adults. The toes spread out more due to natural aging-related foot changes, placing pressure on the wrong areas. Bunions can also tend to form and worsen gradually over time, meaning seniors will feel their full effects. Dry Skin Skin aging doesn't just affect our face; it affects our feet too! As we age, the processes that help our feet stay moisturized, namely the production of natural oils and cell renewal, slow down. This leads to dry, flaky skin on the feet. Dry skin is on the feet is not just a cosmetic concern; it makes the feet more prone to developing many problems like itching, cracked heels, corns and calluses. Corns and Calluses Not only does our skin get dryer as we age, it also gets thinner. This makes the feet more prone to developing corns and calluses. Corns and calluses are caused by friction, and are two of the most common skin problems affecting seniors. When the skin thins, the skin forms calluses and corns more quickly in order to protect itself. This issue is compounded for older adults who have been wearing ill-fitting shoes for years Arthritis Osteoarthritis (also referred to as degenerative joint disease) is a form of arthritis typically associated with aging. It is caused by cumulative wear-and-tear on the joints. Over time, the protective lining around the joints wears down, resulting in excessive rubbing and grinding between joints. Foot Care Tips for the Elderly Foot care for seniors entails a proactive approach. Here are our top tips for maintaining foot health as you age: Regular Foot Inspections and Hygiene Our number-one foot care tip for older adults is to get regular medical pedicures with a chiropodist. This is especially helpful for seniors who have difficulty bending or trimming their own toenails. A licensed Toronto chiropodist can properly trim and file your toenails, remove corns and calluses, and address any other common foot problems in older adults. A foot specialist will also inspect and keep an your feet for any signs of redness, swelling, cuts, or sores that could indicate a worsening skin issue. Our Toronto chiropodists will also provide expert foot care advice for your at-home maintenance. At-Home Foot Care: Moisturizing, Hygiene and Inspections Foot care for seniors should involve moisturizing daily with a foot cream in order to keep the skin on the feet strong and firm. This will also help reduce callus and corn buildup. At-home foot care for seniors also involves practicing good hygiene, including washing feet daily and keeping your toenails trimmed. This is essential to prevent infections and other complications. Proper Footwear and Medical Devices Footwear plays a significant role in senior foot care. Shoes should provide adequate support, have a wide toe box to prevent crowding, and offer cushioning for shock absorption. Orthotic inserts can also be beneficial for those with specific foot conditions or discomfort, especially plantar fasciitis. There are also products like silicone toe separators, bunion aligners, and bunion splints worth trying. Maintaining Foot Mobility and Stability Regular exercise and fall prevention strategies can keep the muscles and joints in the feet strong and flexible. Simple exercises like toe stretches, ankle circles, and calf raises can improve circulation and maintain range of motion. A targeted approach is ideal, and you can memorize foot exercises and stretches designed for your condition or age, such as routines for bunions, arthritis part one and two, plantar fasciitis, and women over 65. Many of these exercises help with more than one condition!

August 15, 2024

Secondary Toenail: What It Is and How to Handle It

Whether they're discoloured, cracked, ingrown, curly, or on the verge of falling off, toenail anatomy can be fragile and our nails can do funny things. A less commonly discussed issue is a secondary toenail. Also known as an accessory toenail or petaloid toenail, a secondary toenail is a sneaky little extra nail twin that grows alongside or beneath the pinky toenail. This abnormal toenail growth can be concerning, so it’s natural to have questions. Signs You Have a Secondary Toenail It’s important to know the difference between an ingrown toenail and an accessory toenail. First, ingrown toenails can grow on any toe, whereas a secondary toenail appears on the fifth, smallest toe. Ingrown toenails are also far more common, and pierce the skin rather than growing alongside the nail. Secondary toenails are thin in nature and often don’t cause pain, infection or swelling like ingrown toenails do (although it is possible). Lastly, ingrown toenails form on the side of the nail unit, whereas secondary toenails grow underneath the proper nail. What Causes a Secondary Toenail? A secondary toenail is a rare phenomenon. It often makes an unexpected appearance after trauma or injury to the nail bed. You may notice your nail growing differently after stubbing or hurting it. Chronic pressure from tight shoes or less-than-perfect nail trimming can also coax this extra nail into existence. Do You Need Surgery For Secondary Toenails? Studies show that the treatment of choice for this extra pinky toenail is an excision, especially if it’s infected. A partial or total nail avulsion from Toronto’s Feet First Clinic may be the solution you need, but you’ll have to schedule a proper foot assessment to determine the best course of action. Treatment of accessory toenails targets the original toenail, not the second one. The second toenail should grow properly after the “main” nail is removed.

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About Author: Brittany Stuckless

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