Foot Ailments: Problems Afoot

Sat, Dec 25, 2010

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Foot Ailments - Your feet take you where you want to go and you may spend hours on them every day but they are often neglected. Poorly ventilated feet can lead to fungal infections while poorly fitted shoes will result in aches and strains. Wearing ill-fitting shoes subjects your feet to friction and pressure and can cause problems like corns and ingrown toe nails.

Foot Ailments – What are the common foot woes that can come about from the constant chaffing and pressure on your feet? Three experts give their input. They are: Ms Jessie Phua, a senior podiatrist from Changi General Hospital; Ms Tan Chiang Wei, a podiatrist from Singapore General Hospital; and Ms Kin Ismail, the head of podiatry at Singapore Footcare Centre.

CORNS AND CALLUSES

foot ailments A callus is a patch of yellowish thickened skin (left).

A corn is a callus that has been pinched into a central point and usually causes pain when pressed on. (Photo on the right shows what is left after a corn has been removed.)

A person with corns may feel that he is walking on sharp rocks. The thickened outer layer of skin is caused by increased pressure over a particular area.

How it happens: Corns and calluses are caused by the constant rubbing on certain points of the foot due to ill-fitting footwear, foot deformities or certain walking styles.

For example, if you have a high-arched foot and often put more pressure on the outer part of the foot when walking, calluses may develop on the outer side of the heel.

foot ailments Those who subject their feet to a lot of stress, such as athletes, are also more prone to calluses and corns.

Treatment: Filing with a pumice stone and applying moisturisers can reduce calluses. Corn plasters and corn removers which contain salicylic acid can also be used.

However, podiatrists say diabetics should not use over-the-shelf corn removers because any break of the skin may be difficult to heal and infection could occur.

This could result in ulcers and, in serious cases, gangrene and amputation. A podiatrist can help to remove the corn with a scalpel instead.

Corns and calluses will recur if a person continues to wear ill-fitting shoes. For instance, a corn on the last toe is a sign that the person’s shoes may be too narrow. If a woman reduces the height of the heels she wears, she can reduce the chances of calluses developing on the forefoot.

What to note: Some people believe in using lighted joss sticks to remove corns but this will only burn the skin and increase the risk of foot infection.

Sometimes, plantar warts are mistaken for corns. Warts usually appear as hardened lumps with multiple black specks and are caused by a virus. They are removed by applying salicylic acid or by freezing them off with liquid nitrogen.

INGROWN NAILS

They happen when nails cut into or irritate the nail bed, causing pain, swelling and inflammation.

If the skin breaks, infection can occur. In chronic cases, the flesh on the sides of the nail may bleed when touched.

foot ailments How it happens: The most common cause is when people cut the nails too deeply, encouraging the skin next to the nail to fold over the nail.

Repeated trauma, such as you stubbing your toe or dropping something heavy on it, can alter the shape of the nails.
Repeated actions like kicking an object can also cause this problem.
Shoes that are tight around the toe area can aggravate the condition.
Sportsmen, especially footballers, are prone to getting this condition.
Some people are also genetically predisposed to having ingrown nails.

Treatment: Place feet in a salt bath to reduce the inflammation. Antibiotics may be given if infection has set in.

A visit to the podiatrist may be needed to remove part of the offending nail.

What to note: Nails should be cut straight across and should not be too short. Sharp edges should be filed. Ingrown nails should not be trimmed by pedicurists.

Avoid shoes that are too small or tight.

BUNIONS

foot ailments Bunions are structural deformities of the bones where the big toe is angled towards the second toe, resulting in a bony bulge at the big toe joint.

Bunions can be painful and there may be inflammation at the joint mostly due to rubbing against the side of the shoe.

It may be hard to find shoes to fit feet with bunions and larger shoes are needed frequently.

How it happens: The condition may run in the family but, in most cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes over time leads to bunions forming.

Flat feet and ligaments which are too loose can also lead to bunions.

Treatment: Devices such as splints, toe separators and cushions can decrease the rate of bunion development. However, only surgery can correct the bony protuberance.

THICKENED NAILS

foot ailments How it happens: Nails can thicken when there is trauma, such as when something heavy is dropped on the nail or when there is repeated pressure over time, like from wearing tight shoes. This is common among sportsmen.

Thickened nails appear yellowish and may be difficult to trim. They can also cause discomfort when wearing shoes.

Treatment: The condition is usually irreversible especially when the nail plate is damaged. What a person can do is to maintain the nail by trimming and filing it after a bath when the nails are softer.

A podiatrist can help reduce the thickness of the nail plate with a scalpel or special equipment.

Tips on foot health

Wear well-fitting and comfortable shoes, especially when doing sports. Avoid wearing high heels constantly.

Be cautious when buying insoles found in malls. Many are just over-the-counter types and may not be suitable. See a foot expert if you need customised insoles.

When in doubt about foot problems, do not try to treat them on your own. Seek professional advice.

By April Chong

Source: Mind Your Body, The Straits Times

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