What would your feet tell you if they could talk?
Did you know common foot problems can be a good indicator of other underlying health conditions or lifestyle changes you need to make?
Jay Lall, owner of Kent Foot & Ankle Clinic and Proactive Wellbeing Clinic, reveals five common foot problems you should be on the lookout for and what they can tell you about your habits and overall health.
1. Persistent arch and heel pain could indicate issues with your gait
If you’re experiencing ongoing heel or arch pain or keep getting bunions forming on the joint below your big toe, this could be a sign that there’s a problem with how you’re walking. You may be predisposed to a condition that affects your gait, such as overpronation or arthritis. Many may also experience plantar fasciitis (heel and arch pain) when returning to exercise after a break.
Booking one of our biomechanical consultations can determine the cause of your pain and help you make healthier lifestyle decisions. Using computerised visual gait analysis, we’re able to examine every tendon, ligament, muscle and joint to assess your range of motion and find an effective cure.
We can recommend exercises to improve movement, advise on footwear and use innovative technology to create bespoke orthotic insoles that fit your feet perfectly, ease pressure and relieve discomfort.
2. Ingrown toenails may suggest a change in your foot size
Ingrown toenails are mostly caused by wearing ill-fitting socks and shoes, and by cutting toenails incorrectly. Few people realise our foot size changes throughout our lifetime, which is why it’s always a good idea to get your feet measured before buying a new pair. To prevent ingrown toenails, it’s important to cut your nails correctly. You should always follow the natural shape of your nail and use a nail file to remove any sharp corners.
If you notice any problems, it’s best to seek professional help right away. We can use conservative methods to treat the toenail or perform a procedure under local anaesthetic to remove it and stop that side of the nail from continuing to grow.
3. Recurring verrucae may be evidence that you're not protecting your feet well enough
A verruca is a viral infection, which is highly contagious and can be spread through close contact with contaminated skin or surfaces. Gyms, swimming pools and other damp communal areas are some of the most common places to contract a verruca.
To reduce your risk of getting one, it’s best to avoid sharing towels, wear shower shoes and protect wounds on your feet with a plaster when going swimming. Inspecting your feet regularly can help you spot a verruca early so you can seek effective treatment right away.
I’m one of the few podiatrists in the area, trained to do Falknor Needling. This technique punctures the verruca, allowing your immune system to fight the infection.
If you’re unsure if you have a verruca or corn, we can diagnose the issue and administer the correct treatment. For corns (or callouses) we don’t recommend using over-the-counter creams, as these can cause burns. Instead, we can use a sterile surgical blade to remove the callous. The procedure is perfectly safe, pain-free, and only takes a few seconds to complete.
I’d also recommend booking a biomechanical assessment so we can check your gait and prevent the problem from reoccurring. Soaking your feet with Epsom salts and using a urea-based foot cream can also help to reduce cracks and corns.
4. A fungal infection could be a sign you need more breathable footwear
You can contract a fungal infection in your toenails and on your skin. Check your nails for signs of discolouration or crumbling - both are typical symptoms of nail fungus. People can suffer from this condition for years, often because their nail is too thick for antifungal treatments to be fully effective.
In these instances, it’s best to consult a podiatrist. We can thin the nail or use the Lacuna method to place micro-fenestrations in the nail to ensure antifungal medicines can penetrate the nail bed and reach the affected area.
If you have Athlete’s foot (a skin fungal infection) you’ll most likely notice patches of red, flakey, itchy skin between your toes, though it can also appear over the rest of your foot. We can recommend treatment to clear the fungus and determine the cause to prevent the problem from reappearing.
Wearing cotton and bamboo socks and breathable footwear can help aerate feet, keeping them dry and preventing fungal infections. It’s also best to ensure you dry your feet thoroughly after bathing.
5. Changes to your feet could point to an underlying health problem
Our feet are incredibly important, and yet they are one of the most overlooked areas of the body. With that in mind, my top foot care tip is to treat yourself to a podiatry treatment or medi-pedi.
The treatment is performed by a qualified medical professional. They will complete a thorough assessment of your feet, nails and skin before recommending bespoke podiatry and chiropody services that can help address any concerns. They’ll also advise how best to care for your feet to help you look and feel at your very best.
Our highly skilled podiatrists work across both our multi-award-winning clinics, including the Kent Foot & Ankle Clinic in Rochester and our Proactive Wellbeing Clinic in Strood.
We’re dedicated to helping clients lead pain-free, fulfilling lives and achieve better well-being, using cutting-edge technology and treatments to deliver the best quality service.
To book an appointment at the Kent Foot & Ankle Clinic in Rochester, visit kentfeet.co.uk or call 01634 540053.
For podiatry treatment at the Proactive Wellbeing Clinic in Strood, visit proactive-wellbeing.co.uk or call 01634 723600.
