Smoking and your Feet

 

Smoking is the cause of many health related issues; lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema. Smoking can even affect your feet. Physicians can sometimes spot a smoker by the skin on their feet. It is generally thinner, shinier and reddish.

The biggest concern with feet and smoking is peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Plaque builds up in your arteries, affecting the arteries that run down your legs to your feet. Plaque build up causes arteries to become stiff and narrowed, which makes it hard for blood to reach your feet.  A foot can become badly damaged due to lack of blood flow. This sometimes results in foot amputation.

Your risk of developing PAD is four times greater for smokers, and you are likely to get it at an earlier age than non-smokers. Those with PAD are five times more likely to die from issues associated with cardiovascular disease.

Take good care of your feet and the rest of your body by not smoking.

 

Image by Eddie Welker. No Smoking. (2009). Flickr.

 

Baby's First Shoes

It may seem like every time you blink, your little one is reaching a new milestone. Shortly after learning to crawl, parents need to prepare for baby’s first steps. Aside from baby proofing the house, preparation should include shoe shopping. Try to avoid going for the shoes that are the cutest. The best idea is to have a professional fit the shoes. If shoes do not fit properly, it can affect your child’s foot development.

Go for shoes with stiff soles, as they have the best support. Make sure there is room for the foot to move around. There should be at least a quarter inch of space between the front of the shoe and the big toe. Children’s feet grow quickly, so it is important to check the fit often. You may even want to check the child’s foot for blisters or redness.

The best way for a child to learn how to walk is barefoot, so don’t worry about wearing shoes in the house. Save them for outdoor activities.

Image by Dustin McClure. (2013). Baby Shoes. Flickr.

All About Shoes

It is very likely that you have shoes in your closet that are doing you more harm than good. Your favorite pair of shoes may be having negative effects on your feet.

Flip-Flops

Problem: No arch support and no foot protection leaving you prone to injury

Risks: Broken toes, scraped feet, sprained ankles, tendonitis and plantar fasciitis

Solution: Keep the flip-flops for the beach or the pool. Wear real sandals with a strap that holds your foot inside the show

Sky High Heels

Problem: Anything higher than two inches causes a misalignment in your foot and an abnormal amount of pressure on the balls of your feet

Risks: Achilles tendonitis (shortened Achilles tendon), metatarsalgia (chronic pain the ball of your foot), stress fractures, hammer toes

Solution: Save them for special occasions, get gel cushion inserts for the balls of your feet, get a heel with a roomy toe

 

Pointy-toed Heels

Problem: Pinch your toes  together

Risks: Metatarsalgia, hammer toes, neuroma (an inflammation of the nerve between the toes)

Solution: Save for a special occasion or try to find shoes with a roomier toe

 

Ballet Flats

Problem: Lack support and cushioning

Risks: Tendonitis, plantar fasciitis

Solution: Choose flats with a supportive sole and heel

 

Backless Shoes

Problem: Toes grab for support

Risks: Hammer toes calluses

Solution: Wear in moderation or find a shoe with a back

 

The main thing to remember is if shoes are uncomfortable, they are probably doing some harm to your feet. Stick to shoes that don’t pinch, have a wide enough toe, have good arch and heel support, and are protecting your feet.

Image by A.K. Photography. (2006). Shoes and a Latte. Flickr.

Athlete's Foot and Ringworm

 

Ringworm is one of the most common skin disorders. It is an itchy, red, scaly, contagious rash that resembles the shape of a ring. The infection can pop up on many different parts of the body, but no matter if it is on the scalp, face or feet, it is caused by the same fungus. The ringworm fungus, tinea, causes athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot is likely to stay in the webs of your toes. Since this area gets sweaty, the fungus looks less flaky and more white and wet. The fungus can also attack your toe nails, causing thickened, yellow, brittle nails. Fungal infections can be treated by either a topical application or an oral medication. There are many over-the-counter products, but it is best to seek a medical opinion so you can treat it correctly before it worsens. Athlete’s foot is often a recurrent issue for people because of their skin type and/or lifestyle habits. Ask your doctor about ways to help prevent the fungus from returning.

 

Image by Raul Santos de la Camara. (2009). Foot Doctoring. Flickr.