Feet for life month – From Birth to Beyond

This June is Feet for Life month, the foot health awareness campaign from The College of Podiatry. This years’ theme is” FROM BIRTH TO BEYOND”

Foot care is important through all stages of life. For children, it is necessary to take extra care with foot health to avoid problems and deformities in later life, and as we get older, everyday wear and tear can take its strain. Podiatrists are experts in all aspects of the foot and lower limb, who undergo years of specialist training to enable them to diagnose, treat and help people to look after their feet and lower limbs.

Feet are one of the hardest working parts of our body, but they are also one of the most neglected. During Feet for Life Month we want to remind people not to ignore their feet or any foot pain they might experience. Walking through pain or ignoring problems can over time cause damage to the feet and lower limbs. So if your feet hurt, or you notice anything unusual about them, give us a call, as registered podiatrists we can diagnose causes of pain and provide appropriate treatment.”

Common foot complaints a podiatrist can help with include:

• Bunions – if you notice a bump developing where your big toe meets the foot, then this could be a bunion. Some people have a genetic predisposition to developing a bunion, but footwear can make the problem worse. If your bunion is causing you discomfort, see a podiatrist
• In-growing toenails – this is where the nail becomes in-growing, when the side of the nail cuts into the skin. It is particularly common in children and young adults; it can be extremely painful and lead to infection if not treated
• Muscle or joint pain – if you experience frequent aches and pain in your feet, ankles or legs, this could be due to your muscles or your joints. Often this can be noticeable if walking a lot, doing exercise or being ‘on your feet’. A podiatrist can identify the cause and appropriate treatment
• If you have diabetes you should have regular foot checks. Each year, thousands of amputations take place amongst people with diabetes, which could have been prevented with appropriate foot care. A podiatrist can carry out a diabetes foot check and ensure you are receiving the tailored care that you need
• Corns and calluses. These are areas of hard, thickened skin that develop as a result of excessive pressure or friction. If they are causing you discomfort, a podiatrist can safely and painlessly remove them. Podiatrists advise that patients do not try this at home as it can result in injury and infection