Foot Care after Lockdown

Foot Care

The recent lockdown and pandemic have had a significant impact on our lifestyle and daily routines. While most of us become familiar with the “work from home” schedule in our pyjamas and flip flops, many of us have gained a few pounds too. However, now things are getting better gradually, and many offices are getting back to their regular schedules this can be a matter of shock for your feet. They have experienced a long vacation period where formal work shoes were not on the list. Getting back to the normal schedule can create issues for your feet. You need to take care of them more seriously than you think.

Tips for Foot Care after Lockdown

  • Do not wear your old work shoes if you have gained excess weight during the lockdown. Your old shoes may become tighter for your feet which can cause swelling and pain.
  • Start wearing those work shoes only for one hour at a stretch. Open them and keep your feet uncovered for a while or have slippers in your office for an alternate option.
  • Sudden change in shoe habit can cause plantar fasciitis. This is one of the common causes of heel pain. Your foot will feel inflammation of a thick band of tissue. This tissue connects your heel bone to your toes. You must meet a certified podiatrist for the right treatment.
  • In such a situation, your heel can feel the pain for several reasons. It is advisable to meet the experts for better diagnosis. They can suggest to you the right treatment plan as per your lifestyle and work schedules.
  • You are probably aware of soaking the foot in a tub of warm water. You can experience the best result of this therapy right now when your feet need extra care and relaxation after a long tiring day.
  • Try light exercises to make your foot familiar with these sudden changes in your lifestyle. Move your foot a lot in your office to have a good blood circulation which can reduce stiffness and swelling.
  •  Use lightweight and flat shoes instead of heavyweight work shoes and high heels. Give your foot some time to be on track.
  • Use home remedies for foot care and foot relaxation after coming back from office. Massage oil on your feet and keep them clean all the time. You can use the best quality foot care creams too.

For all types of foot care tips and treatments, you can contact the experts of John the Footman. You will surely get relief from foot pain, strains and other foot-related issues.

Kindly get in touch with us for more information.

Foot Care Tips during Winter – Special Care for Special Season

Foot Care

Your feet need the right care throughout the year. However, winter is the season when your feet need special care from you. Whether you have a special foot condition or not; you must be careful about taking the right care of your feet in winter.

If you visit a foot clinic regularly for special foot care treatment, then you can get the suggestion from your podiatrist regarding this. If you do not know anyone specific, then this blog will help you in knowing about winter foot care.

Winter Foot Care Procedures

Keep Them Clean

Keeping your feet clean is the right beginning of this process. No matter whether you frequently go out or stay at home mostly – cleaning the foot is essential to keeping it healthy during winter. Even the winter socks and boots can cause the foot to sweat a lot. That can create the cause of bacteria build-up. Regular cleaning will help you to get rid of this easily.

Wear the Right Boots

Wearing the right boots with proper socks is essential to keep your foot in good condition during winter. However, you should never wear boots that are too tight on your feet. Avoid using socks made of synthetic. Always use either cotton or woollen socks to keep the foot warm during those colder months of the year.

Practice Feet Exercise

It is highly required to keep the blood flow intact in your foot during winter. Keeping them inside the socks and boots will not give you much chance to move them. Hence, it is required to try some foot exercise at least once in a day to keep the blood flow well. This will also be useful for the bones and nerves in your foot.

Talk to Your Podiatrist

If you have typical health conditions like arthritis, diabetes or joint pain issue, it would be better to talk to a certified podiatrist to know in details about your winter foot care. Cold weather can increase joint pain on many occasions. Hence, it is better to talk to an expert to know about the correct remedies.

John the Footman can be your best support regarding winter foot care. You will have the best treatment in this foot clinic for your feet during winter. Please get in touch with us to know in details.

Time To Treat Your Diabetic Foot Pain And Ulcers

chiropodist

One of the primary reasons why you should treat diabetes at the earliest is because poorly controlled diabetes can lead to foot ulcers. Your foot tissue can break down eventually and expose the layer below. Neglecting a foot ulcer is a strict no-no as it can affect the bones in your feet. Infection is a serious complication of a foot ulcer and requires immediate treatment. There are even chances for infected ulcers to lead to amputation if you neglect them.

Know The Common Symptoms

If you ever notice liquid draining from your feet and staining your socks, there are high chances that you have a foot ulcer. Few other early symptoms are irritation, redness, unusual swelling and odour from feet. Black tissue surrounding the ulcer is a common sign indicating a severe foot ulcer. It generally occurs due to partial or complete gangrene when the skin tissues around the ulcer die due to infection. If the condition is accompanied by pain, numbness or odorous discharge, get in touch with a foot surgeon without any delay.

What Causes Foot Ulcer?

Poor Blood Circulation is a vascular disease which prevents blood from flowing efficiently to your feet. It becomes difficult for ulcers to heal if there is poor blood circulation. Diabetic patients have high glucose levels which can also slow down the healing process so it is important to manage your blood sugar level. Nerve damage caused due to low blood circulation has a long-term effect and you might have a loss of feeling in your feet. Damaged nerves are both painful and tingly. Dry skin can also make your feet prone to cracking.

How To Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

Though there is a higher chance for diabetic patients to develop foot ulcers, you can prevent it with proper foot care. Never try to get rid of diabetic foot ulcers or foot pain yourself as the treatment is dependent on its cause. A better alternative is to get in touch with a reputed chiropodist to discuss the discomfort or foot pain you are experiencing. He will assess the condition of your foot and customise a suitable treatment. One of the primary reasons why you should never neglect foot pain is because the signs of foot ulcers are not obvious all the time. The ulcer can become infected before it starts showing any symptom. Your doctor might order an X-ray to look for signs of bone infection.

Take Care of Your Feet Following A Few Simple Tips

foot clinic

As the saying goes “Out of sight, out of mind”. Your feet do not get as much attention as the rest of your body. They are usually covered with shoes and slippers both at home and when you go out. It is only at times when you encounter pain, or an injury is when you look for a Farnham foot clinic. Sometimes, regular neglect of your feet is the cause of pain and discomfort. You can control things going out of hand with a few simple habits like:

  • Maintain good foot hygiene. Since your feet come into contact with the floor directly most of the time, it gets dirty often. Always remember to rinse and dry your feet after you come home and before you go to bed. This will prevent any bacterial or fungal growth due to dirt or dampness.

  • Wear shoes that fit you well. Always buy comfortable shoes. A shoe that is very tight, poorly made or oddly shaped is awful for your feet. Wearing tight shoes for prolonged periods can damage the bones of your foot. It can be excruciating to deal with.

  • Take extra care when you are in public. Public restrooms, changing rooms and showers have high chances of giving you an infection. Avoid them whenever possible, wear shower shoes and clean your feet thoroughly afterwards to be safe.

  • Listen to the concerns of your feet at the right time. Keep checking your feet from time to time. Look for any signs of damage and infection and get them treated at the earliest. The more you delay, the worse and painful it gets.

In case of any foot issues, you can get it checked at John The Footman, one of the best Farnham foot clinics. With over four decades of experience in the industry, you will be relieved of all your foot problems here.

Know More About Bunions Before Approaching A Podiatrist

Foot Clinic

If a bump has developed on the side of your big toe, get in touch with experienced podiatrists and they will let you know whether it is a bunion. Bunions generally occur due to abnormality of the foot bone, which prevents the big toe from being straight. It starts leaning towards the second toe. This creates an angle which looks like a bump on your toe. Don’t ignore the foot condition just because it is painless. The toes might start crowding over time. Not only will this cause pain but might also lead to permanent deformity.

Causes

A majority of the podiatrists believe that bunions are a genetic condition. They generally occur if the foot structure is faulty and is considered to be inherited. Few other conditions for which a bunion can develop are excessively flexible ligaments, flat feet and abnormal bone structure. It might also occur if your shoes don’t fit properly. Since there are various reasons why a bunion might develop in your feet, get in touch with an experienced podiatrist and let them assess the condition. 

Few Things Which Aggrevate Bunions

  • Symptoms of arthritis in your feet.
  • Standing for a prolonged period of time.
  • Wearing shoes with pointy toes or high heels. 
  • Wearing too small or tight shoes which put more pressure on the big toe.

7 Common Signs And Symptoms Of A Bunion

  • Skin on the side of the big toe is becoming inflamed or red.
  • The skin below your big toe is becoming thick.
  • You can’t move your big toe with ease.
  • The second toe has calluses.
  • Big toe leaning towards other toes.
  • Persistent or repetitive foot pain
  • Difficulty in walking

4 Signs You Need To Consult A Podiatrist

  • Constant pain in your foot
  • The big toe is losing flexibility
  • Can’t find shoes which fits you comfortably
  • A large lump has developed near the big toe joint

Diagnosis

Get in touch with a renowned podiatrist in Farnham if you ever notice any of the signs and symptoms stated above. They will conduct a visual inspection and diagnose the issue. They might ask you to move the toe back and forth during the physical exam to check whether your movement has become limited. They generally suggest an X-ray if they feel that there is some underlying injury or deformity. The X-ray helps in assessing the severity of the issue and its cause. They might also suggest you to get a blood test done to check whether it has occurred due to arthritis.

2 Methods Of Treatment

  • Non-Surgical Treatment

If the issue is a minor one, the podiatrist might suggest you to wear shoes with padded sole and sufficient room for your toes. You can even minimise the pressure on the bunion by tapping your foot into a normal position. Some podiatrists suggest their patients to take over-the-counter pain relievers.

  • Surgeries

Surgery might be required if the non-surgical treatment options are not effective. Bunions can be treated through various surgical procedures. Let your podiatrist assess the condition and suggest the most suitable procedure.

Since your knowledge about bunions has enhanced, it’s time you approach a reputed podiatrist and treat the issue without any delay.