Happy Wednesday,

Did you know that per step when walking, roughly 1.5 times your body weight goes through each foot!

On top of this multiply that number by the number of steps taken over a day, week, month, year and a lifetime! 

Feet!

Never take them for granted.

Ella :)

Happy Sunday,

As we head into the colder months it's important to be aware of Chilblains. 

As the temperature drops the skin to our feet becomes vulnerable to rapid changes in temperature and can cause breaks in the skin called - chilblains.

Chilblains often cause red, itchy, and painful areas of swelling to the toes and feet.

Factors that can cause Chilblains include:

Rapid temperature changes: Warming skin too quickly after it has been cold is a major trigger such as using a hit water bottle in bed.

Cold and damp conditions: Spending time in damp, cold environments.

Poor circulation: People with poor circulation are more prone to developing chilblains.

Certain health conditions

If you have any concerns about Chilblains then get in touch with a HCPC registered podiatrist for an assessment and treatment advice.

Warm feet are healthy feet !

Adam :)

In growing toe nails! Sheesh..I've had one........ :(

An in growing toe nail causes pain, redness, and inflammation down the edge or the affected nail edge, they can be painful when wearing footwear or when touched or knocked.

They are caused by a nail spike penetrating the skin next to the nail plate.

In growing toe nails can be caused by -

Cutting the nail too short

Cutting down the side of the nail

Picking toe nails

Ill fitting footwear    

Sporting activities

Poor foot care / neglect

In growing toe nails require treatment to remove the nail spike, prevent infection and wound development. We can help!

Ella :)

Why do toe nails thicken?

There are a number of reasons why toe nails can become thick and difficult to cut.

Once the nail becomes thick it usually stays thickened as the damage is at the nail bed.

Regular management of the toe nails is important to reduce further thickening and discomfort.

Here are some reasons toe nails can thicken:

Trauma - dropping something heavy on your toe causing damage to the nail bed.

Poorly fitting footwear - which over time causes microtruama to the nail surface.

Certain sporting activities - such as running can cause nail thickening through repetitive microtruama.

Certain medical conditions - diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis can cause thickening of the nails.

Certain skin conditions - such as psoriasis.

Fungal nail infection

Ageing

Certain medical therapies - chemotherapy

Neglect of foot care - poor foot hygiene

Let us help! 

Adam :)

As we transition into autumn/winter shoes you might find that you notice some areas of discomfort under the soles of your feet or over boney parts of your toes.

This may be due to the presence of a corn.....

Corns on the toes and feet are often small, hard, painful patches of thick skin that form in response to repeated pressure or friction.

Often caused by the shape of the foot, ill-fitting shoes or activities like walking or standing for long periods.

How do I know it's a corn?

Corns are areas of concentrated, hardened skin.

Pain: They can be painful to touch, especially when pressure is applied to the middle of the corn.

Corns often develop on the tops and sides of the toes or on the sole of the foot.

Soft corns can appear between the toes as white, rubbery lesions.

We are here to help!

Adam :)

Did you know that over a moderately active 80 year life span we take an average of 200-220 millions steps. Which incredibly is around 110,000 miles!

This is equivalent to walking around planet earth five times!

In order to maintain this high mileage, good foot health is key in order to achieve such a feat. (pun.....intended?)

Keep smiling.

Ella :)

Years of experience as a podiatrist has taught me the importance of prevention over cure.

Our feet are our foundation and stability and need regular TLC in order to keep us mobile.

This is the reason why maintaining good foot health is a key component of overall well-being, particularly as we age or manage long-term health conditions.

Regular podiatric foot care offers several important clinical and health benefits:

Good foot hygiene and care significantly reduce the risk of skin breakdown, pressure damage, and the development of foot ulcers, particularly in individuals with reduced mobility or compromised circulation or complex co morbidities.

Addressing foot pain, structural issues, hard skin and nail care can help preserve functional independence, improved mobility and quality of life as we age. Reduced Risk of Falls.

Staying mobile and active helps reduce the risk of broader health complications such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and reduced bone density. Good foot health supports an active lifestyle for longer.

Essential for Diabetic Foot Health For individuals living with diabetes, regular foot care is critical. It helps reduce the risk of serious complications including foot ulcers, infections, and, in severe cases, amputation.

Routine foot care reduces the likelihood of developing skin and nail conditions such as tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) and onychomycosis (fungal nail infections), which can cause discomfort and lead to further complications if left untreated.

Have a great day poeple of Torbay!

Ella :)