August 22, 2023
Beau's lines are changes in your toenail anatomy and appearance that may indicate an underlying illness. These changes can be difficult to detect unless you inspect your nail health, so it's important to take note if you see them. Systemic illnesses, which affect the entire body rather than a single organ or body part, may be the reason behind your nail changes.
Photo by jannoon028 from FreePik
The Science Behind Nail Changes: Beau's Lines
Beau's nails generally look like deep, horizontal grooves that go from side to side, almost as if you have a band wrapped around your finger that astoundingly makes an indent in the nail. They can affect both adults and children.
They are your body's way of telling you, "Hey! I have too much to focus on right now, so I'm neglecting your normal nail growth pattern."
This means that Beau's nails aren't a problem but a symptom. Similar to your hair and skin, aesthetic changes to toenails and fingernails often serve as a warning your general health is under attack in some way. Research suggests that illnesses interrupt natural nail matrix growth and that the longer you suffer from an illness, the deeper the grooves can become.
Photo by Rawpixel.com from Freepik
Do Beau's Lines Mean Something Is Wrong With My Health?
Not necessarily, but systemic illnesses are often the reason behind these deep nail grooves. If you notice them, you should see your family doctor immediately. If you know you're suffering from an illness and notice Beau's lines, there is a high chance the two are connected. Beau's lines may also linger for a while after you've recovered from your illness or begin treatment.
You may have a serious illness if you have more than one nail with Beau's lines, but if you just have one, it may be from a toenail infection, blunt-force trauma injury, or exposure to cold temperatures. However, Beau's lines in all 20 fingernails and toenails often indicate disease or aggressive treatment for a disease, like chemotherapy.
Some common causes of Beau's lines include:
Heart attacks and poor heart health
Pneumonia
Strep infections
Measles
Mumps
Diabetes
High fevers/infections
Infections in the nail fold
Malnutrition
Skin disease
Thyroid conditions
Hypocalcemia (low calcium)
Raynaud's Disease
Severe emotional stress, traumatic life events, and generalized anxiety disorders can also wreak havoc on nail growth.
Treatment
Getting rid of Beau's lines depends on how successfully you treat the underlying cause, whether it be injury, illness, stress or infection. However, chiropody treatments like Onyfix or medical pedicures can help encourage proper nail growth and keep your nails clean while you treat the root cause.
July 20, 2023
Most of us experience cold feet metaphorically when we’re hesitant and nervous. But your feet can also feel cold to the touch if you suffer from a nerve disorder or poor circulation caused by a foot condition. Fibromyalgia, heart disease, diabetes and Raynaud’s disease are some of the most common causes of chronically cold feet. But knowing why your feet are chilly and clammy 24/7 is only one step towards relief. Let’s look at some of the best remedies for cold feet and how you can achieve optimal foot comfort.
Cold Feet Remedies
Exercises and stretches
Compression stockings
Orthopedic slippers
Additional remedies
Photo by wirestock from FreePik!
Exercises and Stretches
The link between circulation and cold feet is clear, so naturally, one of the best ways to keep your feet warm is by practicing foot exercises and stretches. From stretching and flexing your toes to ankle rotations to writing the alphabet with your big toe — there are dozens of low-impact foot exercises you can try. You can also perform most of these while sitting if you have mobility troubles.
Compression Stockings
Compression socks may help with chronically cold feet. Not only do they offer a layer of warmth, but they also work by helping your blood vessels work more efficiently, improving your body’s circulatory function. That said, if you have diabetes, you may want to look elsewhere for cold feet remedies, as compression socks may slow diabetic wound healing. They may also have the opposite effect of what diabetes patients need and restrict blood flow.
Orthopaedic Slippers
Orthopedic slippers can be an excellent foundation for your feet while lounging around the house – and we’re not talking about flimsy hotel slippers. Most varieties of orthopaedic slippers are snug and encompass the entire foot like a pair of shoes would. Slippers can be made with faux-fur collars, shearling linings, and high-quality uppers and footbeds that all work together to keep your feet toasty.
Additional Ways of Keeping Feet Warm
It’s tough to narrow down all ways to heat your cold feet. Here are some more remedies to consider:
Try products like heated foot pads or toe warmers.
Enjoy a warm foot bath, using a foot soak product from Gehwol to trigger as much blood flow as possible.
Speaking of foot baths, establishing a full foot care routine with medicinal moisturizers will take foot comfort to the next level.
Ensure your shoes accommodate your foot condition and promote a healthy foot environment and breathability.
Double up on your socks.
Wear waterproof shoes to repel cold water.
Remember, chronically cold feet are not a normal experience for most. It’s always best to check in with your chiropodist to ensure your remedies will help your condition.
June 5, 2023
Cold sweats are episodes of excessive sweating involving feelings of coldness, clamminess, and a drop in body temperature. Our feet are particularly prone to cold sweats due to their position (away from the heart) and function.
This blog post discusses the causes, symptoms, and ways to manage cold sweats.
Causes of cold sweats
There are several possible causes of cold sweats, including medical conditions, medication side effects, and emotional triggers. Learn more about the common cause of cold sweats in feet below:
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is the common term for excessive sweating. If you experience cold and sweaty feet without exercising or temperature changes, you may have hyperhidrosis. The underlying cause is an overreaction of your body's sweat glands. Stress and anxiety can also disrupt your body's sweat glands. There is an overall increased risk of infection in the presence of hyperhidrosis, including fungal, bacterial, and viral infections
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Peripheral Arterial Disease is a condition of the body's lower extremities. The leg's blood vessels become blocked or narrowed, restricting blood flow between your lower legs and heart. Fatty plaque in the arteries is often the culprit. You may be at greater risk of PAD if you have diabetes, are over 60, or have elevated blood pressure and cholesterol.
Menopause
A common cold sweats culprit is menopause. Blood circulation can increase or decrease based on hormonal changes, triggering sweats.
Overactive thyroid
A thyroid disorder can cause plantar hyperhidrosis (excessive foot sweat) while deregulating body temperature. An overactive thyroid also messes with our blood circulation, giving the feet and skin only a quarter of the blood supply they usually need.
Raynaud's disease
Raynaud's disease causes cold hands and feet and numb toes. The condition decreases blood flow in certain body parts because of the blood vessels spasming in the area.
Body temperature
Sudden changes in core body temperature can trigger cold sweats. For instance, when sleeping, you may want to experiment with adjusting the room temperature up or down or even sleeping with your feet outside the blankets to thermoregulate your core body temperature.
Other causes of cold sweats
Wearing small shoes or shoes without proper ventilation: Shoes without proper breathing properties may trap in heat and cause your feet to sweat or have a cold sweat sensation.
Neuropathy: Nerve damage, typical in diabetes patients, can cause excessive sweating and disrupt your average body temperature.
Exercise: If you exercise and your feet continue to sweat or be moist afterwards, you may experience cold feet.
Symptoms of cold sweats
The top symptoms of cold sweats in the feet include
Excessive sweating
Feeling cold or clammy
Shivering
Paleness
In addition to the symptoms in your feet, you may also experience these bodily feelings:
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Nausea or vomiting
Weakness
How to manage cold sweats
The management of cold sweats will depend on the underlying cause. Here at Feet First Clinic, we recommend several treatment options, including:
Foot deodorants, creams and sprays.
Talk to your doctor about taking certain types of medications. For instance, antidepressants may lower triggers like stress and anxiety, which cause you to sweat more.
Manage stress. Practice stress-reducing techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
Ensure you're getting enough rest. A lack of sleep can trigger cold sweats, so try to get enough restful sleep.
Daily foot hygiene practices. Keep feet clean and dry, regularly change socks, etc.
Regularly air out your feet.
Breathable footwear.
Dress in layers. Removing or adding layers will stabilize your core body temperature and prevent significant shifts.
Moisture-wicking socks.
Schedule regular foot assessments to check for conditions that thrive in moist environments, like athlete's foot.
April 24, 2023
With 11 million Canadians living with diabetes, chances are high that you or someone you know has one of the various forms of the condition. Diabetes can directly impact the health of our feet, which can cause various foot problems if left untreated. From nerve damage and reduced blood vessel functionality in our feet and legs, proper foot care is essential to help manage and live with diabetes. Read on to learn more about common foot conditions in diabetic patients, prevention, and when to seek professional help.
Common foot problems in diabetic patients
Diabetes can cause damage to the nerves and blood vessels in your feet, leading to serious foot problems if left untreated. Proper foot care is crucial for people with diabetes to prevent complications. The most common foot conditions in diabetic patients are:
Neuropathy
Foot ulcers
Infections
Calluses and corns
Dry skin
Peripheral vascular disease
Charcot foot
Because they're at aa heightened risk of certain foot conditions, diabetes patients should take extra precautions when caring for their feet.
Diabetic foot care prevention and management
So, what does caring for your feet when one has diabetes mean precisely?
The key element of diabetic foot care is prevention; this is the best way to manage the effects of diabetes on your feet. We recommend following a mix of the following to help manage any side effects of diabetes effectively and to help prevent any existing conditions from worsening:
Check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, sores, swelling, or other abnormalities.
Wash your feet with warm water and mild soap daily. Dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes.
Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion regularly, but avoid applying it between your toes, as this can create a moist environment that promotes fungal growth.
Cut your toenails straight across and file the edges when trimming. Avoid cutting the corner or cutting nails too short, as you may increase your risk of ingrown toenails. It is best to get this done by a chiropodist to prevent complications.
Choose shoes that fit well and provide good support. Avoid shoes with pointed toes or high heels, as they can cause pressure points that can lead to blisters and calluses. Pair good shoes with clean, dry socks.
Protect your feet from injury by wearing shoes or slippers at all times.
Have your feet examined by a healthcare provider at least once a year. You should also see a chiropodist or podiatrist for foot care (i.e.: callus treatment, nail trimming) at least every 2 - 3 months, especially if you have foot problems or are at high risk for foot complications. DIY foot care for people with diabetes can lead to unintended complications.
When to seek professional help when experiencing diabetes-related foot conditions
There are several specific situations where we recommend seeking professional help regarding diabetes-related foot conditions. If you experience any of the following, seek medical attention shortly:
Suppose something is on your feet, like a cut, bump, bruise, lesion, or skin irregularities. With diabetes, you're at a higher risk of these conditions worsening. If you notice any wounds or sores on your feet, you should seek professional help immediately.
A pre-existing condition worsens rather than improves.
You lose feeling in your feet or toes.
Sudden bouts of swelling or inflammation
Since diabetic foot care is all about preventing and managing the effects of diabetes, recognizing signs and symptoms early (whether yourself or through check-ups) is critical to staying healthy.
How a foot clinic can help with diabetic foot care
A foot clinic can be your best friend when managing and preventing foot problems in diabetic patients. Prevention is key when it comes to managing and treating diabetes-related foot complications. Foot clinics offer regular check-ups on common foot conditions, advice on a diabetic foot care routine, shoe fittings, footwear recommendations, and custom orthotics. If you have diabetes, you should attend at a foot clinic every 2 to 3 months
March 23, 2023
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects people from all over the world. Type 1 or type 2 diabetes can lead to several complications, like heart disease, kidney problems, vision issues, oral health deterioration, and more. But one of the most common problems diabetes patients face is diabetic foot pain and other foot problems that can transform into serious complications when left unchecked.
Today's blog will discuss the following:
The causes of diabetic foot pain
Diabetes-related foot complications
Diabetic foot pain treatment at a foot clinic
Self-care tips and at-home diabetic foot care
Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels
What Causes Diabetic Foot Pain?
The main culprit behind type 1 and type 2 diabetes-related foot pain is diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes patients struggle with four types of neuropathy, all of which cause nerve damage:
Peripheral Neuropathy: This is the most relevant categorization of neuropathy when discussing foot pain causes. It affects the lower extremities (feet and legs), arms and hands. It occurs when high blood sugar and triglyceride levels damage the nerves and tiny blood vessels in the circulatory system, causing poor blood flow. Symptoms include shooting foot pain, "pins and needles," numbness, weakness and burning sensations.
Autonomic Neuropathy: This is similar to peripheral, except the nerve damage affects the body's organs rather than the limbs.
Proximal Neuropathy: A rare type of nerve damage that causes severe hip, buttock, or thigh pain.
Focal Neuropathies: Rare singular/local (hence "focal") nerve damage, typically in the hand, head, torso, or leg.
Diabetes-Related Foot Complications
Whether it's numbness or pain, it is extremely important to pay attention to the warning signs your feet give when you have diabetes.
Moreover, your feet often fail to signal problems to your brain due to neuropathy. This means you also need to consistently inspect your feet and visit a foot specialist for an extra set of eyes and expertise (more on that later!)
If you don't, debilitating complications with varying degrees of pain and discomfort may creep up. These include:
Skin changes like dry skin and cracked heels. This occurs due to nerve damage preventing your body's natural oil and moisture production.
If you cannot feel cold, heat and other sensations on your feet, you may be unaware of a foot injury. This can lead to a worsening injury or infection if the skin is broken and you haven't noticed.
Calluses are common in people with diabetes, and the more they thicken, the more likely they are to become an ulcer (open sores or lesions that will not heal).
Peripheral artery disease (plaque buildup in the arteries) can arise in diabetic patients. Like neuropathy, it reduces blood flow, so you don't notice ulcers, infections and injuries. Aggressive infections and ulcers without treatment can lead to gangrene or amputations.
Edema (swelling): This is caused by nerve damage and the subsequent fluid buildup in the body's lower extremities. Swelling can cause pain and mobility problems.
Diabetic Foot Pain Treatment at a Foot Clinic
Since diabetes impacts our feet, patients should find a chiropodist and schedule regular appointments. The general recommendation is no less than once yearly but more frequently if nerve damage is present.
Not only can foot specialists help with pain management, but consistent foot inspections are critical for spotting the beginning stages of a complication.
Some of the main ways chiropodists help with diabetic foot pain include:
Skin health assessments and maintenance
Foot assessments
Custom orthotics
Footwear recommendations
Skin Health Assessments and Maintenance
This is one of the most important jobs a chiropodist will do. They can notice signs of ulcer development, infections and other skin abnormalities. Chiropodists also perform regular diabetic foot care on diabetes patients, so they don't develop ingrown toenails or fungal infections.
Foot Assessments
Your chiropodist will check your vascular (circulation) health via regular inspections. They will also check your foot temperature, look for swelling, and check the colour of your feet. They can also ask what type of foot sensations you're feeling, like tingling, shooting pain or burning and proceed from there. This is included with Feet First Clinic's diabetic foot care services.
Custom Orthotics
Orthotics make walking much easier, as they distribute body weight evenly across the foot while reducing pressure and friction and relieving the foot's pressure points. They also help regulate your motion and correct any abnormal gait patterns you develop while struggling with foot pain. Chiropodists can provide orthotics via a thorough a biomechanical assessment.
Footwear Recommendations
Footwear modifications can help reduce diabetic foot pain, and the special shapes and designs of orthpaedic footwear can accommodate neuropathy symptoms more successfully than standard footwear. Diabetic patients often need deep shoes to support orthotics and to manage the discomfort and pain they experience when dealing with swelling. Diabetes patients also need footwear with little to no seams in order to reduce pressure points and friction against the foot. Companies such as APEX and Anodyne make shoes especially for diabetes patients.
Self-Care Tips and At-Home Diabetic Foot Care
Orthopedic slippers can help manage foot pain and allow you to move around your home more freely.
Soak your feet in a warm foot bath to ease stress and soothe aches and pains.
Try your best to regulate blood sugar levels to help fight nerve damage.
Inspect your feet and keep them clean. Note: do not try to get rid of calluses and other skin abnormalities on your own. Schedule an appointment with your chiropodist if you notice callus buildup or skin problems.
Keep on top of diabetes routines not directly related to your feet. This includes proper medication management and regularly checking your blood pressure at the local pharmacy and doctor's office.
Light exercises and stretches can be beneficial for diabetic foot pain. For example, rolling your feet on a ball (or water bottle) or scrunching your toes to pick up a towel can strengthen your feet. And those are just two examples! Most foot stretches are easy to perform and relieve pain in different ways. Low-impact activities like swimming and walking can also be beneficial.
February 23, 2023
Foot health isn't just important because it keeps the foundation of your body in good condition. There is also a direct link between foot health and overall wellness!
Forgetting to practice foot care and foot pain management can trigger a domino effect that leads to other health problems. If you have a nagging sense that your body and mind feel generally "unwell," it could all stem from neglecting to take care of your body's foundation and lower extremities.
Here are some of the most common problems associated with poor foot health that we'll discuss today:
Back, hip and knee pain
Posture and balance
Heart health and diabetes
Mental health
Back, Hip and Knee Pain
Our body's joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves need our feet to be in good shape. If they aren't, it can lead to a concerning trickle-down (or trickle-up!) effect that jeopardizes the rest of our body. The most common symptoms of this effect are back pain, hip pain and knee pain.
First, your lower back will take a hit if you don't wear shoes with proper shock absorption and arch support. The effects will transfer upwards, resulting in low back pain. People who work long hours without the right footwear often notice this and not know the reason why.
Furthermore, if you have frequent foot pain, it will alter your gait. This means you adopt abnormal walking patterns to navigate life with chronic pain, such as using your tip-toes or the outside of the feet to bear weight. The unusual walking pattern causes extra strain on the joints and muscles in your lower body from having to move in ways they weren't designed to move. This kickstarts feelings of pain and tightness in the lower back and knees. Your ankles may also roll slightly inwards or outward while walking. People with flat feet or high arches are at risk of experiencing gait-related back and knee pain.
Plantar fasciitis and bunions can also trigger back pain. If you neglect to treat plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia ligament can become so inflamed that other muscles have to compensate in order to support your weight. This ultimately affects your back. Likewise, bunions cause a misshapen structure in the feet, which can alter your posture and make it difficult to fit into supportive shoes.
Modifying movements due to foot pain also takes a toll on your hips. Bilateral foot pain can lead to pain in the corresponding hips, often due to multi-joint arthritis.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels
Heart Health and Diabetes
These connections aren't as farfetched as you think!
Your heart is responsible for transferring oxygen-enriched blood and nutrients to your lower extremities, so if the heart cannot do this for any reason, your feet can mirror your general heart health and wellness. For example, illnesses like diabetes can be a major sign of extremely restricted blood circulation; foot swelling and numbness can be symptoms of this.
Your feet can also show signs of serious heart issues, like heart disease and peripheral artery disease. You may not be able to feel a pulse in your feet, or you may notice excessively shiny skin or hair loss on your toes. Heart failure can also cause foot swelling due to excessive fluid build-up. Plaque accumulation in the arteries can also lead to foot numbness and pain, warning you of peripheral artery disease.
Photo by Puwadon Sang-ngern from Pexels
Posture and Balance
There is a direct correlation between foot and ankle health and posture and balance. According to a study on gait posture published by the National Library of Medicine, poor postural balance in the upright position can pose a greater risk of sudden falls and resulting foot injuries in older people. The study found that improving toe flexor strength via foot stretches and exercises contributes to overall improved postural balance in people over 60.
But it could also be the shape of your foot that lets you down. For instance, people with flat feet risk experiencing muscular imbalances in the legs, ankles and hips. Luckily, simple and non-invasive foot clinic services can help people with flat feet curb this problem, such as wearing custom orthotics or shoes that support a flat arch.
Mental Health
Can't hike on your favourite trails due to foot pain? Or perhaps you simply struggle to get out of the house due to mobility issues.
Since our feet keep us moving, there is a clear link between mental and foot health. Time and time again, fitness proves to be helpful to those struggling with mental illness. But without cooperative feet, it can feel impossible to be physically fit, which leads to a sedentary lifestyle. Feeling stuck inside too often can also cause psychological stress and loneliness. Furthermore, the feeling of consistent pain can cause anxiety and depression.
It can also work both ways. According to a study in Arthritis Care and Research Vol. 66, chronic foot pain can also be a symptom, or manifestation, of major depression.
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels
