Open
November 30, 2024
Holiday shopping can feel like a daunting ordeal that takes away from all the fun. Your list is long, and you don't have ideas for some people - which is okay! But it doesn't have to cause so much stress. We've got you covered with our guide to the best foot care holiday gifts!
When you're stuck on what gift to get for your grandparents, friends, and other relatives, medical gifts may inspire you more than you realize. The health and wellness industry is known for producing excellent products, opening your mind to many gift options.
Gifts that promote foot health can help those with debilitating foot issues. But they can also help prevent foot conditions before they develop. And they're simply fun to use. We're talking foot creams, scrubs, and other luxurious products fit for a spa session!
The gifts we'll discuss today focus on both skincare and foot pain; they shine on their own and work well as stocking stuffers. But the best way to gift products from a foot care clinic is by compiling a foot care gift set! It's fun to try more than one product, and it gives loved ones the tools for a great self-care day. Let's take a look at our top picks!
Foot Care and Medical Gifts: Gift Guide 2024
Below is a general overview of our top foot care holiday gifts. But don't worry, we'll cover all the details.
Foot Exfoliators
Foot Creams & Moisturizers
Superfeet Insoles
Feet First Clinic Gift Certificates
Foot Exfoliators
Foot Scrubs & Foot Baths
Products like Gehwol's Herbal Bath are affordable medical gifts to raise your loved ones' foot care game to the next level. They're suitable for people of all ages and help exfoliate and soothe dry skin. Exfoliation prevents itchy, flaky dead skin from building up while simultaneously unclogging your pores. Exfoliating your feet weekly will help prevent and treat any callus buildup and cracked heels, while keeping your feet soft and moisturized.
But foot baths do even more for the body than you may realize. First, foot bath products combined with hot water help promote healthy blood flow, which can relieve pain from foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, bunions, etc. They can also warm your overall body temperature, which alleviates muscle tension, reduces stress, and may help prevent sickness or fight flu symptoms by strengthening your natural immunity (perfect for the winter!).
Helpful tip: It's best to start a spa session by bathing your feet, as it leaves a clean base for exfoliation and moisturizing by washing away bacteria and dirt.
Foot Files
Feet First Clinic's foot files are another great way to exfoliate your feet! You can gift someone a foot file as a stocking stuffer or as part of a gift box (throw in the Gehwol Herbal Foot Bath and some foot cream for the perfect foot care selection!).
But why do we need them?
Foot files remove hard, scaly dead skin from the bottom of the foot, making them feel silky smooth. Our foot files also have a smoothing side to buff and soften the skin. This allows you to customize and control where and how much skin you remove when exfoliating your feet (unlike the foot peels you see online). The perfect tool for concluding a luxurious at-home foot care session, you should give them some consideration as you shop for medical gifts.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_)
Foot Creams & Moisturizers
Gehwol Foot Creams
To restore the skin's natural barrier functions, you should always moisturize after soaking and exfoliating. Gehwol's Soft Feet Cream, Universal Foot Cream, and Med Lipidro Cream are just a few examples of medicinal moisturizers that work wonders. So why not gift them to someone you love? They'll get to enjoy smooth skin and fewer cracks and calluses.
If your loved one already has severely painful cracked heels, try gifting them Gehwol's Med Salve for Cracked Skin or Dermal Therapy Heel Care instead.
Dermal Therapy Heel Care
Hopefully, it's becoming clear that medical gifts can be more valuable than gifts that sit around collecting dust. And Dermal Therapy Heel Care is one of the best foot care holiday gifts around.
Cracked heels have the potential to burden everyone, from your best friend to your grandmother - dry skin doesn't discriminate! Severely cracked heels can make walking almost unbearable and cause swelling, inflammation, and bleeding. So if you're catching wind that someone you love is suffering, why not brighten their holidays by gifting them some relief?
Dermal Therapy helps skin cells deep below the surface absorb and lock in moisture, which fights cracked heels. It has the highest urea concentration (25%) of all the foot creams we carry. Urea is important because it works into the deeper layers of the skin to help skin both absorb and retain moisture. To top it off, dermal therapy is a moisturizer and exfoliator that removes dead cells, revealing fresh, young skin.
Superfeet Insoles
As far as medical gifts for healthy feet go, Superfeet insoles are a wonderful route to take. The general use of their most popular colour, green, is to provide extra support for people with flat feet, plantar fasciitis and other types of foot pain. And for those who want the same arch support as the flagship Superfeet Green, but with more cushioning and flexibility, you can get the Superfeet Run Cushion High Arch insoles - a new favourite and best seller at our Toronto foot clinic!
But if you have a loved one with more specific needs, worry not!
Superfeet produces several insoles with colours that indicate how they stand out. For example, Superfeet Berry is made specifically for women and comes with a slimmer heel and an arch length to fit the proportions of the female foot. And Superfeet Black is a versatile, low-profile option for people with flat feet. And that’s just the beginning!
November 14, 2024
Foot injuries can increase in cold weather, so it’s important to learn how to minimize your risk, practice fall prevention, and navigate slippery conditions. Not only that, but cold weather can cause muscle stiffness to worsen, making your feet more vulnerable than they were during the warmer months. Today we’ll talk about 3 safety tips—recommended by the foot specialists at our Toronto foot clinic—to prevent winter foot injuries.
3 Tips to Prevent Winter Foot Injuries
Wear The Right Shoes
Try Warm Ups and Foot Exercises
Wear Supportive Insoles
1. Wear The Right Shoes
The wrong winter boots can lead to numerous foot injuries. While fashion may be your top priority, you shouldn’t sacrifice protective and supportive features just for looks (plus, you can find fashionable and comfortable shoes at our Toronto foot clinic). Winter footwear should have good shock absorption and be made with waterproof materials. Avoid pointed toes and high heels in the winter—these features are a recipe for slips and falls!
Stability And Motion Control Shoes
Did you know there are different foot types, and your foot type can determine what shoes you should wear? For example, people with flat feet need extra stability or motion control features built into their shoes to help correct varying degrees of overpronation (when the ankle rolls inward during movement). A foot specialist, like a podiatrist or chiropodist, can assess your feet and tell you what type shoes you should be wearing:
Stability Shoes
Purpose: Stability shoes are aimed at those with mild to moderate overpronation (the inward rolling of the foot when walking or running).
Features: These shoes typically have a supportive structure and posting around the arch and midsole to help guide the foot through a natural gait cycle and promote natural foot motion.
Motion Control Shoes
Purpose: These are designed for people with severe overpronation, providing maximum support to prevent excessive inward rolling of the foot.
Features: Motion control shoes are more rigid and structured than stability shoes, with reinforced areas in the midsole.
How does this link back to winter foot safety? If you have flat feet, especially if you’re a senior, and your feet overpronate, your hips, knees and ankles can weaken and become more painful and vulnerable due to years of walking with an abnormal gait. If you don’t have strong feet and joints, icy conditions become that much more threatening.
Both stability and motion control shoes can help prevent winter foot injuries by providing extra support and control in conditions where icy, wet, or uneven surfaces make slips and strains more likely. Keep in mind these should also have solid traction performance!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TnDaLrqYTac
Traction Performance
High traction performance in shoes (thick, rubber soles with grooves) is essential for winter injury prevention. It prevents slips and falls, which are especially common on icy or wet surfaces. Without reliable traction, even the smallest patch of ice can turn into a serious hazard, causing the foot to slide out from under the body and throwing balance off entirely. This can lead to falls, which are a primary cause of winter injuries, including sprains, fractures, and ligament tears in the foot, ankle, or knee.
Good traction provides a stable, controlled grip on unpredictable surfaces, allowing each step to connect firmly with the ground. This stability reduces the risk of unexpected slips and ensures that the foot can maintain contact without sliding, even on slippery patches. People who enjoy running during the winter months should particularly focus on finding running shoes with traction. Many brands, like Saucony or ASICS, design shoes for this purpose. You can also add on ice cleats or cramp-ons to your footwear for extra grip when running on icy surfaces.
When looking for traction performance, keep in mind that no shoes are built for traction on ice (although some may fare better than others). Only ice cleats or cramp-ons will provide proper grip on ice.
2. Try Warm-ups And Foot Exercises
Before going for a run, warm up your feet and lower extremities with a nice, healthy stretch or foot exercise. This will prepare your feet for pounding the pavement (or snow) and give them an added layer of strength and protection. Runners should be doing this year round as part of their foot care routine, not just during the winter!
These routines are not just for runners! Quite the opposite, in fact; they help people with mobility constraints and inflamed, weakened and damaged muscles/joints just as much as they do athletes.
People with arthritis in the feet, plantar fasciitis and other conditions can help reduce their risk of winter injuries by strengthening their feet. For example, arthritis can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, making it challenging to maintain balance on slippery or uneven surfaces. On the other hand, plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot. The discomfort may lead to altered walking mechanics, such as favoring one foot over the other, which can compromise stability and increase the risk of falls.
Stretches and exercises should target the intrinsic (small, stabilizing muscles located within the foot) and extensor muscles (primarily found in the lower leg), and your ankles. Your routine should include a variety of movements that target as many muscle groups as possible.
Here are a few easy, effective stretches and exercises you can start today:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gOwgyrmU6hM
Toe Splays: While seated or standing, spread (or "splay") your toes as wide apart as possible, holding for a few seconds, then releasing. Repeat this 10–15 times per foot.
Toe Flex and Raise: Stand with toes planted and lift the heels off the ground. This exercise strengthens the lower leg and foot muscles, improving balance and stability on icy surfaces.
Ankle Circles: Sit or stand and slowly rotate each ankle in circles, first clockwise and then counterclockwise. This helps increase ankle mobility and flexibility, which can reduce the risk of sprains.
Seated Hamstring Stretch: Sit on a chair, extend one leg straight in front. Lean forward slowly until you feel the stretch in your hamstring. Hold for about 30 seconds.
In addition, click here for part 1 and part 2 for the best exercises for arthritis, and here for the best exercises for plantar fasciitis.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AsuUXJYnUmQ
The Importance of Balance
We all know the direct link between losing your balance and sustaining an injury. We also know that people with disabilities or conditions that impact mobility need to be extra vigilant. With every step, strong balance allows you to react as quickly as possible to unexpected changes in winter terrain and surfaces, which will keep you safe.
Here are two simple foot exercises that focus on improving balance:
Single-Leg Stands: Stand on one foot for 20–30 seconds, then switch. This exercise builds balance and strengthens the muscles around the ankle, reducing the risk of falls on uneven surfaces.
Heel-to-Toe Walk: Walk in a straight line, placing the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other. This exercise improves balance and strengthens stabilizing muscles.
3. Wear Supportive Insoles
Winter footwear is typically built for the elements - not for comfort. Therefore, it can be very difficult to find a supportive winter boot that will also protect your feet from winter weather. Fortunately, if you wear a supportive insole with your footwear, you won't need to sacrifice comfort for function. There are two types of supportive insoles you can wear with winter footwear: customer orthotics and over-the-counter insoles.
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are designed to fit the unique contours of an individual's feet, helping to redistribute pressure and provide the necessary arch support. This is especially beneficial for individuals with flat feet or other conditions. Add winter to the mix, and this becomes even more crucial. By optimizing foot alignment, custom orthotics help maintain stability and balance, allowing individuals to navigate slippery surfaces with greater confidence.
Custom orthotics can be made to fit in winter boots or winter running shoes, to keep your foot supported in all scenarios. They can even come in half-lengths to accommodate dress shoes for when you’re leaving the office and heading to your car (slippery sidewalks are everywhere in winter, so you can’t be too careful!). They provide cushioning that absorbs impact and reduces strain on the joints, particularly the ankles and knees, which are crucial during winter activities like walking, shoveling snow, or participating in winter sports.
To learn if you can benefit from custom orthotics, you can consult a foot specialist like a chiropodist or a podiatrist.
Check out these resources on custom orthotics to learn even more:
5 Ways Orthotics Can Be Customized for Maximum Comfort and Support
The Role of Orthotics in Supporting Foot Health and Correcting Alignment
Understanding Different Types of Custom Orthotics: How to Choose the Right Support for Your Feet
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IBXAXoUouFY
Over-the-Counter Insoles (Superfeet)
Over-the-counter insoles, like Superfeet, are also a great option to upgrade your winter footwear. Superfeet insoles have a deep heel cup, pronounced arch and a rigid, durable structure. They come in a variety of arch heights and cushioning levels to accommodate many foot conditions, like high arches, flat feet, plantar fasciitis and more! Whereas custom orthotics are custom-designed to your foot, Superfeet come in standard sizes and designs (each representing a different colour). They therefore can be more economical than custom orthotics.
If you're interested in Superfeet insoles, bring your winter shoes to our Toronto foot clinic. You can then try different Superfeet options to see which one works best for you. Different insoles feel different in different shoes, so we strongly recommend trying on your Superfeet with your winter shoes before purchasing them.
October 31, 2024
Foot pain can disrupt your life and make even simple tasks challenging. Whether you’re dealing with soreness, aching arches, or general fatigue, there are several ways to prevent foot pain. So we asked the chiropodists at our Toronto foot clinic their top tips to prevent foot pain. These expert tips also work for a) preventing full-blown foot conditions that constantly flare up and affect your life; and b) preventing existing foot conditions from getting worse. From daily foot care to choosing the right footwear, these expert tips will help you maintain healthier, happier feet.
5 Expert Tips to Prevent Foot Pain
Maintain Daily Foot Care
Perform Light Foot Exercises and Stretches
Wear the Right Footwear
Consider Your Lifestyle
See a Foot Specialist
1. Maintain Daily Foot Care
Daily foot care plays a critical role in preventing various foot issues and ensuring long-term comfort. Begin with moisturizing your feet regularly. Dry skin on the feet can lead to cracks and calluses, which not only cause pain but can also become a breeding ground for infections. Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion designed specifically for foot care after showering, as this helps lock in moisture and keeps the skin supple. It's important to use a dedicated foot cream - not a body or facial moisturizer - as the skin on our feet is thicker and has unique needs due to the stress and weight of our movement.
To get double the results with one action, amp up your at-home foot care routine with a self-performed foot massage when you moisturize. Massaging the soles of your feet and gently stretching each toe helps to release tension and boost blood flow. The arch of the foot is often noted as the “sweet spot” during a foot massage since the arch muscles are some of the hardest working in the human body.
Massages can be especially beneficial if you spend long hours on your feet or wear tight shoes (but remember, you need to stop doing the latter!). If you find sore spots, spend a bit more time on those areas to ease discomfort and prevent future pain.
Additionally, a soothing foot bath can go a long way in alleviating stress and enhancing your foot health. Warm water (hot water can dry out your skin) with Epsom salts can help reduce inflammation and improve circulation in the feet. For an extra boost, consider adding essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus, which offer calming and antibacterial properties. However, the most bang-for-your-buck can be found in foot bath products come from companies like Gehwol. These contain both essential oils AND medicinal ingredients, and are available at our Toronto foot clinic.
2. Perform Light Foot Exercises and Stretches
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AsuUXJYnUmQ
Foot exercises and stretches are incredibly beneficial for keeping your feet limber and reducing stiffness. Incorporating gentle stretches can also help prevent foot injuries and make you less susceptible to other biomechanical conditions. Foot exercises work by maintaining flexibility and strength in the intrinsic and extensor muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Some foot exercises are self-explanatory and very straight-forward, like ankle circles and towel curls. Ankle circles are perfect for improving range of motion; simply rotate each ankle clockwise and counterclockwise. For towel curls, place a towel on the floor and use your toes to scrunch it toward you. This simple exercise works the muscles on the underside of your feet.
For more specific guidance, take a look at these targeted exercises for common foot conditions:
Best exercises for plantar fasciitis: These exercises focus on stretching the plantar fascia ligament, which often causes heel pain when inflamed.
Best exercises for arthritis part 1 and 2: Aimed at maintaining mobility in the joints, these exercises help reduce stiffness and improve range of motion for individuals with arthritis.
Best exercises for diabetes: Diabetic foot exercises promote circulation, which is crucial for managing foot health in individuals with diabetes, as they are more prone to infections and sores.
Best exercises for bunions: These exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the big toe, improving alignment and reducing pressure on the bunion.
Adding these exercises to your routine can be instrumental in alleviating foot pain and keeping you active. Regularly performing these stretches will not only reduce discomfort but also prevent potential injuries by keeping your feet strong and resilient.
3. Wear The Right Footwear
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xl6cE3oxDuE
Many people think foot pain is a normal part of life, and that ill-fitting shoes will not cause harm in the long run. None of this is true! Wearing appropriate footwear is perhaps one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent foot pain. There are 4 things to consider when selecting the right shoes: support, fit, purpose, and condition.
Support
Your feet bear the weight of your entire body, so providing them with the right support is essential. Shoes with adequate shock absorption help cushion the impact from the pavement, hard floors and ground when you walk or run, which reduces stress on all parts of the foot. Arch support is equally important; It distributes pressure evenly across your feet, minimizing strain on specific areas.
Fit
Ill-fitting shoes are a major cause of foot pain and can lead to conditions such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, and even arthritis. When shoes don’t fit properly, they can restrict movement and force your feet into unnatural positions, creating pressure points and friction.
To see if your shoes fit properly:
Look for footwear that allows enough room for your toes to wiggle - ideally between ⅜” to ½” of space between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
If you're feeling your toes knocking against the front of your shoes, they're too small. Conversely, if you're feeling your shoe moving around and sliding as you walk, they're too big.
Loosen the laces if the shoes feel too tight. If that doesn't work, look for a wide-width shoe; do not go up in length to accommodate width (you'll just end up with a long narrow shoe).
Always check the toe room when you're standing - not sitting. Our feet splay when we stand, which affects how the shoe fits.
Activities
Selecting shoes tailored to your specific needs is key. For example, runners should look for high-quality athletic shoes while people who walk or stand for long periods may benefit from shoes that have a removable insole so they can wear custom orthotics at work. Whatever your lifestyle, investing in quality footwear is one of the best foot pain tips anyone can follow.
Wear-and-tear
Lastly, shoes aren’t meant to last forever, even the best ones. You may need to rotate them based on seasonality, or if you think your foot size may have changed. Either way, rotate your shoes regularly to avoid the wear-and-tear that causes discomfort over time.
4. Consider Your Lifestyle
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Y9kriXz1dL4
Foot health tips only go so far if you don’t understand your lifestyle and its impact on your feet.
As previously mentioned, athletes need supportive athletic shoes. These shoes are designed for activities that involve running, jumping, or quick lateral movements. Without proper footwear, athletes risk overuse injuries like shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis or stress fractures, which can be both painful and debilitating.
Seniors or individuals with mobility concerns, on the other hand, may benefit from orthopaedic footwear. Orthopaedic shoes are designed to support the structure of the foot and can accommodate issues such as arthritis or diabetic neuropathy. These shoes often feature wider toe boxes, extra depth, extra cushioning, and removable insoles to ensure maximum comfort and stability. For seniors, having footwear that reduces the risk of falls is crucial in maintaining independence and mobility.
Professionals who spend long hours on their feet, such as nurses, restaurant workers, or flight attendants, may need compression stockings in addition to solid footwear. The opposite is also true: office workers or anyone who works in a sedentary position can also benefit from compression stockings. Compression stockings promote blood circulation, reducing the risk of swelling and fatigue. By combining supportive shoes with compression stockings, these folks can significantly reduce foot pain that comes from standing for hours on end.
By aligning your footwear choices with your daily activities, age or general lifestyle, you can not only prevent pain but also enhance your life experiences. If you find that a specific activity or aspect of your lifestyle is causing foot discomfort, consider getting a foot assessment with a chiropodist or podiatrist. At a foot assessment, you'll get expert advice to ensure you're taking the right steps to prevent foot pain. Which leads to our last tip to prevent foot pain:
5. See a Foot Specialist
The best way to prevent foot pain is to be proactive. Adding a foot specialist like a chiropodist or podiatrist to your health care team is one of the best ways to do that. A chiropodist can do the following:
Routine foot care: This includes medical pedicures, corns, calluses and routine nail care. All of this is done in a safe, sterilized environment so you don't need to worry about infection. A chiropodist will also trim your toenails so they don't become ingrown, and will notice any problems you may not. The best part about seeing a chiropodist for foot care is that they can give you expert advice for taking care of your feet at home.
Foot & Biomechanical Assessments: A chiropodist can do a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis to diagnose any potential foot concerns that can lead to pain. For instance, a chiropodist can see if you overpronate or have flat feet. You can then get expert advice to manage it so it doesn't cause problems down the road. A chiropodist can also recommend footwear based on your foot type and gait pattern, as well as any exercises, stretches or devices that can help prevent foot pain.
October 17, 2024
Studies show that 8 weeks of a solid foot health workout can increase intrinsic foot muscle volumes by up to 22.8%. These are the various small muscle groups located entirely within the foot. They play a key role in stabilizing the arch, supporting balance, and enabling precise movements of the toes. Foot exercises can also help maintain extrinsic muscle strength. These are the muscles that connect to the foot, but are located just outside it, mainly in the lower leg, calf and Achilles tendon area. Foot exercises can also work your toes and the bottom of the foot, soothe pain, strengthen your ankles and prevent foot injuries. This article will list some of the best foot pain relief exercises you can incorporate into your daily routine, starting today!
Ball Stretch
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_)
Simply rolling your back and forth on a small ball can help with plantar fasciitis, arch pain, bottom of the foot pain, and general foot fatigue. You don’t need a therapeutic massage ball—a tennis, lacrosse or golf ball will work.
Sit or stand comfortably and place the ball under your foot.
Roll the ball slowly from your heel to your toes, applying gentle pressure for 2-3 minutes.
Switch to the other foot.
Toe Pulls
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_)
This exercise can help relieve plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and general foot or calf tightness.
Sit with your legs extended in front of you and your back straight.
Use your hands to gently pull back on your toes, stretching the bottom of your feet and calves. Hold for 20-30 seconds.
Release and repeat 2-3 times, focusing on a slow, controlled stretch.
(Optional) Incorporate a resistance band by looping it around your feet and pulling back to deepen the stretch.
Toe Flex and Raise
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_)
Work out your tibialis anterior, improve toe flexibility and balance and strengthen your feet with this fun exercise.
Stand with your feet flat and toes planted firmly on the ground.
Lift your heels off the ground, keeping your toes pressed down, then slowly lower your heels back to the floor.
Repeat the movement 10-15 times, focusing on control.
Ankle Circles
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_)
This stretch helps strengthen your ankles and can improve general mobility.
Sit or stand with one foot lifted slightly off the ground.
Rotate your ankle slowly in large circles, first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
Repeat 10 times in each direction, then switch to the other ankle.
Calf Stretch on a Step
A great choice for calf strengthening and targeting the extrinsic muscle group, this is a simple stretch that just requires a set of stairs!
Stand on a step with your heels hanging off the edge and hold onto a railing or wall for balance.
Lower your heels slowly below the step, feeling a stretch in your calves.
Hold for 20-30 seconds, then raise your heels back up and repeat 2-3 times.
Marble Pick-Ups
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_)
This exercise can help with your general coordination and improve toe strength and flexibility, which may alleviate discomfort from conditions like bunions and arthritis. There are no time constraints with this one, simply focus on the task at hand.
Place small objects (like marbles) on the floor in front of you while seated.
Use your toes to pick up each object and drop them into a nearby bowl or container.
Repeat with both feet, aiming for 10-15 picks per foot.
October 10, 2024
Toronto's summer is behind us and the warm days of sandals won’t return until next year. But fall brings its own charm and many folks are excited for a new chapter. At the same time, you may also be looking to prevent foot issues this fall in as many ways as possible, and luckily, you’ve come to the right place! For top tips on blisters and dry skin prevention, as well as how you can fight some other common fall foot problems, keep reading today’s article!
Cracked Heels
As summer’s humid air is replaced with dryness, the skin on your feet may dehydrate and over time, cracked heels can form.
One of the best fall foot care tips to prevent this is regular moisturizing. Use a nutrient-dense product like Gehwol’s Lipidro Cream, available at Toronto’s Feet First Clinic.
It helps lock in moisture and prevent further damage. Containing high-quality ingredients like avocado oil and urea, this cream helps your skin absorb water into its layers and supplies dry skin with the lipids it needs. Properties like allantoin can also soothe irritation sometimes associated with cracked heels.
Fungal Infections
You may have heard how fungal infections like athlete’s foot are easy to contract during the summertime. Public pools, shared locker rooms and showers, and other communal spaces are all summer hot spots where this foot fungus can breed. But did you know that foot fungi is still a threat in the fall?
It can thrive when people wear closed shoes for longer periods, trapping moisture and warmth. To prevent this, keep feet clean and dry, wear breathable socks, and choose shoes that allow proper ventilation. Shoes should also be waterproof to prevent extra water getting into your shoe’s environment. To find the right pair for fall, visit your local Toronto foot clinic for a shoe fitting.
While you’re at it, learn all about the best foot hygiene here!
Musculoskeletal Foot Conditions
Musculoskeletal foot conditions can flare up as the fall chill starts to bite, making each step feel a little extra uncomfortable.
Cold temperatures cause the tissues in your joints to contract, putting pressure on nerve endings and leading to more foot pain and aggravated osteoarthritis. The cold can also worsen foot conditions like plantar fasciitis and other sources of arch and heel pain.
Get ahead of this issue by wearing boots with solid insulation that traps warmth. Also, keep your feet extra cozy with warm socks — a Toronto chiropodist may even suggest a pair of compression stockings (like Sigvaris' Thermoregulating Wool or Merino Wool compression stockings).
Blisters
Autumn foot health often involves managing painful blisters. As new footwear makes its debut, a tight squeeze can slowly wreak havoc and cause discomfort.
To keep your feet happy and blisters at bay, make sure your shoes fit securely and snugly (but not tight!) to prevent excessive friction rubbing against your skin. Wear your boots with other products like moisture control socks, foot powders, blister bandages and insoles to prevent this frustrating issue.
September 30, 2024
It's time to refresh your wardrobe with the latest fall footwear trends! While staying stylish is important, it's equally crucial to ensure your feet remain safe, comfortable, and healthy throughout the season. In this guide, we’ll explore the best shoe types and features that offer protection from the elements and minimize foot pain.
The Best Fall Shoe Styles
Just because safe fall shoes are practical, it doesn’t mean they can’t be fashionable. While shopping, look for designs that complement your wardrobe while still offering the comfort and protection you need. You also need to make sure your shoe always corresponds properly with your activity of choice. Also, consider specific needs: from seniors to children to construction workers, every foot is unique.
Fall shoe styles for this season include:
Foot-friendly fall ankle boots for everyday wear. These can be simple in style and include laces or easy slip-ons made mostly of leather with pull-tabs or pull-loops. But, there are also versions designed for fall adventures and challenges with extra shock absorption and waterproofing.
Speaking of shock absorption and waterproofing, this also applies to running shoes and athletic shoes for fall. Look for extra traction to prevent falls and foot injuries on slippery wet surfaces and on your favourite trail excursions. Our top picks are the Saucony Excursion GTX or the ASICS Gel-Sonoma. They're both hiking shoes with great grip and cushioning. They have a Gore-TEX upper, which is both waterproof and breathable.
The Saucony Excursion GTX
Heeled or platform boots that pair with your favourite dressy attire. Combat boot with an elevated sole, like the Clarks Torhill Rise, are on trend. These boots are out there, and waiting to be worn with your best duds!
Brand That Make Healthy Fall Footwear
Our downtown Toronto foot clinic carries only the best-of-the-best trendy and comfortable shoes. These may rotate sometimes, so be sure to stop by or call to ask what we have in stock. We often carry these brands that make first-rate fall footwear:
Saucony: A great source for waterproof hiking shoes to keep your feet dry in wet conditions.
ASICS: Another great option for waterproof hiking shoes. They also make waterproof running shoes.
Ara: Ara makes stylish cushioned dress shoes, waterproof ankle boots and winter boots for when the weather starts to turn.
Clarks: Clarks carries an array of fashionable boots.
Mephisto: Mephisto's All Rounder collection has a variety of ankle-hiking boots, like the Nigata-TEX and Satika-TEX. They also have some great waterproof walking shoes that are perfect for fall.
More Fall Footwear Essentials to Consider:
Shoes may steal the spotlight in fall footwear, but they’re not the whole show. Here are more fall must-haves:
Orthopedic slippers you can wear inside: These are great for people with musculoskeletal conditions like plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, metatarsalgia, and more, because they often have moulded foot beds and deep heel cups to provide arch support. One example is the Aetrex Mandy (below).
Custom orthotics or insoles to wear with your footwear:. Check that your fall shoes have removable footbeds to accommodate these.
Compression stockings to stimulate blood flow and keep your feet extra toasty.
Moisture-wicking socks to control foot odour and ward off fungal infections.
