How to solve the most common feet problems
After a winter of feet stuffed into boots, most of us are eager to welcome sandals, flip-flops and ballet pumps into our wardrobe, which might mean trouble for our feet.
Bad footwear
Ballet pumps and flip-flops should be avoided at all costs. A shoe with a 2-3 cm heel is ideal, as anything more or less than that will force the foot to work three times as hard, according to podiatrist Michael Harrison-Blount.
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Cracked heels
Thick, cracked and painful skin on the heel is a common problem. The ageing process, along with an open-backed shoe that makes the heel to hang slightly over the edge are the main reasons why this happens, as Harrison-Blount noted. His advice is to have a routine for your feet. “To reduce the amount of hard skin, try soaking your feet in warm water, before scrubbing with a pumice or foot-file,” he said. “Then use a cream that contains urea, because this draws moisture from your body’s own reserves. Do this two to three times a week and the cracks should heal fairly quickly.”
Ingrown toenails
When a portion of the nail grows inwards and pierces the toe, it can often lead to inflammation, pain, bleeding and even pus. The causing factors vary: badly cut nails, poorly fitting shoes, stubbed toes, sweaty feet, genetics or a combination of the above. However, the way you cut your toenails is essential. “Never use scissors, because they split the nail, and avoiding cutting them too short. Cut nails straight across the top and contoured slightly to the shape of the nail,” Harrison-Blount noted. If you cut the edges too short, this will encourage your skin to grow over the nail.
Fungal nail
This problem has to be treated from its early stages, or else it can get out of hand. “At the start, the infection will look like a layer of talcum powder on top of the nail,” Harrison-Blount explained. “Use an over-the-counter anti-fungal nail varnish if you catch it early.” In case the infection gets worse, a podiatrist will drill tiny holes in the nail, so that the anti-fungal treatment gets to sinks in. If it gets worse, a doctor will prescribe anti-fungal tablets. “Oral medication will only be prescribed if three or more toes are infected, because the medication is strong and doctors will need to monitor you for liver damage.”
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