Are your feet at risk?
The elderly, diabetics and arthritics are at the most risk of leg and foot problems, as well as those who have any disease involving the circulation.
However, many foot conditions can affect you regardless of age or health circumstances. It is therefore still important to get it checked out as soon as possible to stop the problems from getting worse. This in turn will prevent unnecessary pain and discomfort, maintain your mobility and promote your independence.
Below is some general foot care advice for diabetic, elderly and arthritic patients. If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Diabetic foot care:
Nails
Use a special pair of toe nail clippers, as ordinary hand nail clippers are generally not made for the thicker toe nails. If you do experience problems in cutting your toe nails or you suffer any pain, give us a call.
- Try to cut your toe nails after the bath as they will be softer and easier to cut
- Always use the points of the clippers for guiding your cutting
- Make certain that you cut straight across the top of the nail
- Never cut your nails too short
- Never cut your nails so short that you cut back into the nail groove
- Never probe the nail groove or indeed any part of that area
Washing and drying your feet
- Wash your feet regularly each day in warm water
- The water should be neither too cold nor too hot
- Avoid using detergents - we recommend ordinary mild baby soap
- Rinse the skin well
- Gently pat dry around and in between the toes with a soft towel or tissue
- A little surgical spirit is helpful.
Venous ulceration
The veins in your leg might not be working as well as they should do, either due to blood clots or varicose veins. These problems may be made worse by lack of mobility, and can result in swelling in the ankles, pain / aching in the leg, skin changes and ultimately leg ulcers.
- Do not scratch
- Take short walks and carry out foot exercises
- Elevate your legs by lying across a sofa
- Don't worry about the unpleasant odour; this is a result of the leakage of fluid and sometimes the dressing. Seek advice if this is a problem
- If you are in pain, consult your podiatrist
General dos and don'ts
- Avoid extremes of heat, particularly in baths
- The temperature should be just comfortable and you should not soak in the water
- The temperature should not exceed 110° Farenheit
- Avoid hot water bottles
- If you use an electric blanket, switch it off about 10 minutes before you go to bed
- Feel free to wear bed socks or thick socks but ensure that they're not too tight
- Avoid lengthy exposure to dampness or cold
- If your skin is dry, use a little moisturising cream (available from Foot Health Chiropodist & Podiatrist) after bathing (avoid rubbing hard)
- If your skin is moist, keep it clean by swabbing it with surgical spirit, especially between the toes, and dry with good quality baby talcum powder
- To separate closely overlapping toes use Tubifoam (available from Foot Health Chiropodist & Podiatrist)
- Never use any strong antiseptic solution e.g. iodine or any so called 'corn-cures'. Many of these contain a corrosive substance which will damage normal, healthy skin
- Avoid using adhesive strapping directly over a wound. In the event of an injury, apply a mild antiseptic solution / Savlon and use an ordinary sterilised gauze to cover the wound
- It is most important that any corns, calluses or other foot conditions are treated immediately
- Watch your feet for any sign of changes. Seek professional advice if you notice any pain in your feet, particularly from swellings, or if you find fluid seeping from a break or crack in the skin or beneath a corn or toe nail, or if you notice any change in the tissue or colour of your lower limbs
Footcare for the elderly:
Nails
- Attend to your nails on a regular basis using an ordinary pair of nail clippers
- Try to cut them after bathing - they will be easier to cut
- Follow the length and shape of the toe to minimize damage to the nail during regrowth
- NEVER probe the nail groove or any part of the nail
- If you are having any difficulty with your nails or you're suffering any pain or discomfort, call us for help and advice.
Corns and calluses
NEVER try to treat your own corns and calluses; home treatments can have a damaging effect and cause further problems in the future.
Hygiene
- Wash your feet daily in tepid water using a mild toilet soap
- Carefully rinse in plain water
- Dry thoroughly, paying extra attention to between the toes
- If you have sweaty feet, clean the feet with surgical spirit after drying and dust with talcum powder
- If you have dry feet, use a moisturising cream
- Change to a clean pair of socks / stockings / hosiery every day
Heat and cold
The elderly often have problems with circulation, so avoid very hot baths. Electric blankets should be turned off at bed time and you should not sit too close to fireplaces or heaters. Never use hot politics and only loose fitting woollen socks should be worn.
Footwear
- It is best to have lace-up and soft-upper shoes to hold your feet firmly while walking.
- To test that the shoes are suitable before buying walk on a solid area of the shop, not on the carpeted floor.
- Get your feet measured while standing to get a true idea of the size.
- Wear socks / stockings / hosiery that will not restrict movement of the foot. Garters will impede circulation. Avoid going barefooted.
First aid
In the case of a minor injury (e.g. cuts, bruises) clean the area with surgical spirit and apply a mild antiseptic cream (e.g. Savlon). Do not apply adhesive strapping directly to the area or wrap the strapping around toes as this will restrict circulation.
Blisters should be left alone and should not be punctured to release the fluid. Should they open of their own accord and discharge their contents, dress with an antiseptic dressing.
If you notice any discharge coming from a break in the skin, a nail or a corn, or if there is pain, itching, swelling or colour change in the feet or legs, it is important that you give us a call.
Footcare for rheumatoid arthritics:
The most common complaint for rheumatoid arthritics is pain in the ball of the foot. This is caused by joints becoming painful, stiff and tender. Some people get inflamed 'nodules' under the skin where there is repeated pressure. Ulcers are a serious problem, and if not treated, can let infection into the foot. Sometimes there may be numbness in the feet, so you may hurt them without noticing.
Washing and drying your feet
- Wash and dry your feet every day, especially between the toes
- Avoid overheating your bath
- If still moist after drying, clean with a cotton bud dipped in surgical spirit
- Do not use talcum powder
- For dry skin, rub a little hand cream in every day
Preventing infection
Rheumatoid arthritics are at risk from infection. Check your feet daily for infection (pus), discolouration and cuts. If you can't see under your foot try to get a friend to help, or use a mirror propped up against a table leg to see the reflection of the soles of the feet.
If you have a cut, apply antiseptic and a plaster. Do not keep the plaster on for longer than three to four days so that you can check that the wound is healing. If you are concerned contact your doctor or make an emergency chiropody appointment.
Nails
Many arthritics are unable to cut their own toe nails. We will be happy to do this for you. If you can cut your toe nails, trim them straight across and not too short. If you are taking steroid therapy, you are advised to leave nail cutting to us.
Shoes
Shoes that fit comfortably are often hard to find. Make sure that the shoes have leather or canvas uppers and a light, flexible sole. Fancy patterns and stitching on the uppers may cause discomfort, so choose plain uppers. Try to wear shoes with lace ups, buckles or velcro fastenings at the ankle. Ensure that shoes fit in length, width and depth.
General dos and don'ts
- Avoid extremes of temperature. E.g. overheated bath, hot water bottle. Try to wrap up warm in cold weather
- Do NOT try to treat foot problems yourself
- Do not use razors, corn knives or any other sharp instrument on your feet
- Animal wool, corn caps, medicated corn plasters and ingrowing toe nail solution should not be used either
- Avoid garters and 'hold up' stockings - these can cut off the blood flow to the feet
Are your feet, legs or nails prone to problems? Call our knowledgeable chiropodist and podiatrist to find out why on 020 3376 0111
