Posts for tag: Calluses
Feet are just like anything else, as they are used and time passes, change is inevitable. The average person takes approximately 10,000 steps per day, which can add up to more than 3 million steps a year. Each of these steps can place a force on your feet equal to two or three times your body weight. It is easy to see that with time, this extensive repetitive use can lead to several changes related to growing older.
Normal aging is associated with gradual stretching of the ligaments that support your foot’s anatomical shape. It is normal to notice your feet becoming wider and longer. This is generally combined with a mild settling of the foot’s arch more often noticed as a flattening of the foot. Another normal change is thinning of the skin on the bottom of the heel. This is from a reduction of a fat pad as the body loses its ability to retain water. Again, normal aging is the corporate. An increase in the stiffness of joints and a loss of joint range of motion may occur. Think back to the facts of taking 10,000 steps where 2-3 times your body weight is placed on your feet, this workload on your joints will cause a natural amount of arthritis that can lead to stiffness.
Some common foot changes are abnormal or pathological. These conditions tend to occur in association with prolonged use of ill-fitting shoes and extreme stress placed on the foot. They are most commonly noticed when people are in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. These problems do not occur naturally and can be slowed or prevented with the use of proper shoes and inserts. A bunion is the most common problem and is a large bump on the inside of the big toe. Another condition is a hammer digit, which occurs when the toe becomes curled or constantly bent. Bunionette is a term used to describe a large bump found on the outside of the smallest toe in addition to the toe pointing toward the rest of the foot. Calluses or corns can occur on the toes or foot in areas of high pressure points. If you notice these changes, it is important to get your feet checked by a doctor. Podiatrists are specially trained to treat these conditions and reduce the associated discomfort or pain.
Corns and calluses are thick, hard sections of skin found on the foot. These conditions aren’t serious, but they can result in severe pain. Corns and calluses are really an area of increased thickness of the skin formed by too much pressure or friction. They generally form at bony prominences of the foot where friction is greatest. Usually poor fitting shoes cause these areas of friction, but they can also form because of how the foot moves during walking.
Calluses are typically found on the bottom of the foot. Corns are actually calluses that occur on the toes when hammertoes have formed. (Hammertoes are toes that are always bent, forming an upside down V when looked at from the side.) These thick layers of dead skin cells are generally white or yellow patches of thick, tough skin. They may also look flaky, or seem like dry skin. Corns are generally small and round, with a very sore spot in the middle and yellowish skin surrounding. Calluses are commonly larger and may have a peak in the middle.
Anyone can develop a callus or corn from poor fitting shoes or the way their foot moves during walking. The podiatrists at Coastal Podiatry Associates can easily treat these painful areas. The fastest and easiest way to treat calluses and corns is to remove the areas of increased skin. Another method is to reduce the friction or irritation that caused the callus or corn. This can be accomplished by adding padding to the shoe to offload the pressure area or adding an orthotic. Orthotics are custom shoe inserts that help the foot move in its most natural path. Another important preventative step is to wear comfortable shoes to help protect the foot from corns and calluses.
Diabetes places your feet at a serious risk for injury. For most people, small foot injuries like calluses or blisters are a minor aggravation. They may feel sore, have some small pain, and complain about how their feet look. However, for people with diabetes, these small wounds can grow into large devastating problems. The average person will change the way they walk to reduce their foot pain, but those diabetics that cannot feel pain will continue to walk on the area. This is because diabetes can affect nerves and blood vessels. Over time, high levels of sugar can clog the small blood vessels in the legs and feet causing poor blood flow. These small vessels feed nerves. With inadequate nutrition, the nerves stop working properly which leads to tingling sensations and areas of numbness. If you cannot feel your feet very well, you may not realize that a problem is developing. Diabetics that are unaware of a problem with their feet cause thousands of lower-limb amputations each year.
According to the Nation Institutes of Health, smart tips for people with diabetes include:
Do inspect your feet daily. Stay on the lookout for signs of possible trouble such as red spots, blisters, cuts, and calluses. If you cannot see the bottom of your foot, lay a mirror on the floor and use it to inspect your soles.
Do keep your feet warm. If your feet feel cold or you know they may become cold, put on warm socks. This will help keep normal blood flow to your feet.
Do wear the right shoes and socks. Buy shoes that have plenty of support and make sure to wear clean, lightly cushioned socks at all times. The American Podiatric Medical Association has a list of their favorite shoe brands.
Do control your blood sugar. This is the best way to prevent foot problems from developing or progressing. Work closely with your doctors to keep your blood sugar under control.
Don’t walk barefoot. This means indoors as well as outside. Always feel the inside of your shoes with your fingers before putting them on. Make sure to check for sharp objects, rocks, or rough material that can cause irritation.
Don’t smoke. In addition to harming your heart and lungs, smoking also decreases blood flow. This inhibits your immune system from fighting sores and infection.
By Dr Jordanna Baker of Coastal Podiatry Associates, Myrtle Beach SC.
Your two feet contain more than 50 bones forming around 60 joints with 200 muscles, tendons, and ligaments that hold them together and help them move. Considering all these parts must move together, it is not surprising that many problems can affect your feet. Think about the tough job your feet have and all the activities you do that add stress to their job. Your work may require that you stand or walk around for hours at a time and your choice of exercise or fashion can also add to the workload of your feet. Adding to the concerns your feet have, they are the farthest body part from your heart and brain. Because your feet are so important, it is essential not to ignore any foot pain or conditions. Many times health conditions first show symptoms in your feet!
Here is a quick test to see the condition of your feet.
- First, check your skin for calluses, blisters, or areas of irritation. Next stand next to the shoes you wear most often. Are your shoes shaped like your feet, or are they tight in areas and causing rubbing? If you place your hand inside of your shoe are there seams, tacks, or rough places in the shoe? When your shoe’s shape does not match your foot, it can cause areas of irritation, calluses, or blisters.
- Now look at the color of your toes. Are they red, pink, purple, or blue? Press down on the tip of your toes until they turn white. Once you release your figure from your toe start counting. The normal color should return in 2-5 seconds. If it takes longer than 5 seconds, this could mean you have poor blood flow to your toes.
- How flexible are your toes? Try to pick up a small rock or dishtowel. Also, try testing your ankle flexibility by hanging your heel over the edge of a stair while standing on the stair and facing the stairs. Now let your heel go below the level of the stair. If this causes pain, stop the test. If your heel goes below the level of the stair without causing strain then this is excellent. If there is some strain, this can be improved with flexibility exercises.
- To check the sensation of your feet take a pencil eraser and lightly run it on the top, bottom, and side of both feet. The sensation should feel equal in all areas. Now try taking a few steps. Do you notice any pain or discomfort? The average foot lacks pain.
By Dr. Scott Werter of Coastal Podiatry Associates, Myrtle Beach,SC
Calluses and Corns: Calluses or corns are painful thickening and build up of skin. They are typically found at points of pressure, over bony areas, or on the bottom of the foot. These hard raised areas of skin are formed by repeated friction and pressure from skin rubbing against bony areas or against a shoe. Calluses and corns can be avoided by wearing supportive shoes with a wide toe box and low heel along with not using tight fitting shoes, socks, and hosiery. If you do not have diabetes, soaking your feet in warm water and using a pumice stone or file to remove the skin buildup can be very helpful.
Blisters: Blisters are only painful but can prevent you from doing your favorite activities. Blisters located on the foot can vary in size and shape. They are commonly caused by excessive friction due to ill-fitting shoes, stiff shoes, excessive moisture, or wrinkled socks rubbing against the skin. Blisters can be easily treated at home if simple precautions are followed. First, it is important to clean around the blister with water and soap. If the blister is not causing pain, it is best to allow the blister to heal by itself but if this is not possible, the blister can be drained. A sterilized needle should be used (wipe it with rubbing alcohol and place in boiling water for 30 min) to drain the blister by carefully inserting the needle in a corner of the blister close to the bottom of the foot. Make sure not to remove the loose skin that covers the blister and coat the area with antibiotic cream before covering with moleskin or band-aid.
Warts: Warts are a painful thickening of the skin. Viruses typically cause warts after they enter the skin through a small cut or abrasion. The virus normally finds these entrances on the bottom of the foot. Once the virus grows, it forms a hard, flat, elevated bump. Warts can be avoided by keeping the feet clean and dry. It is important to change shoes daily and avoid walking barefoot to prevent coming in contact with viruses. If a wart forms, do not dig it out yourself. See your local podiatrist for treatment options and recommendations. Podiatrists typically offer laser, chemical, or radiofrequency treatment plans.
By Dr. Jordanna Baker of Coastal Podiatry Associates, Myrtle Beach SC.