STAY WELL FEEL GREAT
ARE YOUR
FEET SUMMER READY?
Have you put your boots and socks back in your winter cupboard and reached for the flip flops?
B
efore you head for the beach take heed from a podiatrist. Much as we love our flip flops they’re the route to all kinds of painful foot problems. Head Podiatrist for Sefton Community service Sue Keech says the main problem comes not from the strap between your toes, but from not having a strap around your heel. “Flip flops make your feet and back work really hard so by the end of the day they’re fatigued and you can develop back problems. Your toes become clawed from trying to hold on.” Her advice? “Choose flip flops with an ankle strap.” Sue’s the bearer of more bad news for ladies who love trimmed, polished nails. “We see so many nail infections caused by wearing polish and cutting nails too short. Polish seals the nail, breaks down keratin which is the main ingredient of nails, causing a fungus to grow. Cutting nails too short is the main cause of ingrowing toenails which are really painful. If you get one bathe your feet in salt water and put on a dry dressing – no creams or TCP! Sue (pictured bottom centre) says she hadn’t realised how important looking after your feet is to your general health until she became a podiatrist 17 years ago. It’s a highly specialist role, the team treats people with diabetes related issues, musculoskeletal problems caused by poor gait and pressure sores from being immobile.
SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO CARE FOR OUR FEET THIS SUMMER? • Feed your feet with a non lanolin based moisturiser – you’ll find hard skin disappears gradually • Don’t use corn plasters – they contain salicylic acid which makes the plaster slide about and cause more skin damage • Look after your general health which will keep your circulation working and your feet in good shape.
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TIP:
Shop for shoes in the afternoon. Feet swell as the day goes on so if shoes fit in the afternoon you can be assured they will always be comfortable. More tips at NHS Choices: nhs.uk