Taking Care Of Your Feet

The human foot is complex, made up of 26 bones (one quarter of all the bones found in the entire human body can be found in two feet), 33 joins, and over 100 tendons, muscles, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels.

The feet are the base of your body’s bone structure. When something is not right, you do feel pain not from just your feet, but from all over your body (including your back), which can lead to difficulty walking or standing. Your feet are durable and flexible and do take a lot of punishment.

Your feet are made to absorb shock and pressure. The joints lock and unlock to absorb the shock of every step you take, allowing you to walk on almost any surface from grass, sand and concrete, and protect the rest of your foot and let with every step.

Good foot health will therefore increase your comfort, reduce the likelihood of medical problems and reduce the chance of hospitalisation due to discomfort or infection, while letting you lead an active life.

How to maintain healthy feet

1. Watch out for foot pain as it is not normal.  If pain persists, seek medical attention from a podiatrist.
2. Wash your feet regularly, especially between your toes, ensuring they are dried completely.
3. Monitor your feet on a regular basis.  Pay attention to changes in the colour of your skin, cuts, cracks and irregularities in the temperature. Thick or discoloured nails can indicate the presence of fungus. While scaling or peeling on the soles of your feet could indicate an athlete’s foot, any growth to the foot itself is not normal.
4. Avoid using home remedies for foot alignment, as self treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
5. Make sure your shoes fit properly. When shopping for new shoes, shop in the afternoon as feet swell as the day goes on. Shoes should fit snugly around the heel so they don’t slip and it is important to have sufficient depth and width for the toes, making sure there is a small space between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe.
6. Podiatrists can help select the right shoe, ie. Running shoes should be worn when running or match shoes to your health and lifestyle. For example, a person who suffers from arthritis has different needs to someone who plays football.
7. Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes every day.  It is worth giving your feet a break by wearing different shaped shoes every now and then.  A sole made from rubber provides good shock absorption, a shoe upper made from natural material such as leather or cotton allows the foot to breathe.
8. Avoid walking with bare feet.  As tough as the human foot is, it is more prone to injury an infection when exposed.  Don’t forget to use sun block on your feet when exposed to sunlight.
9. Trim toe nails in a straight line and not too short.  Avoid cutting into corners or on the sides as it can lead to ingrown toe nails.  People with diabetes, heart problems or poor circulation should not treat their own feet as they are more prone to infection.
10. If you have diabetes, it is crucial that you see a podiatrist at least on an annual basis for a check up.  Check your feet daily for blisters or cuts or any injury.  People with diabetes have a greater risk of serious foot problems and are more likely to sustain nerve damage and circulation impairment.

Podiatrists are health care trained professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of foot conditions.  Many foot problems can be prevented if they are spotted early enough.  If you have any questions or concerns about the health of your feet, speak to your podiatrist or your local doctor.