Looking after our general health has never appeared more important. As we head further into the colder months, we are all too aware of the prevalence of colds and flu around us. However, this winter looks a bit different, for we also have to contend with COVID circulating. There are so many aspects of our health to think about; it can often appear overwhelming.
However, what about those health conditions that aren’t always thought about during these times? We must think about all aspects of our health during the winter months, not just those that commonly affect us. Our bone and muscle health are just as important as our viral health, and we should be doing what we can to look after it during this time.
Knowing where to start with this type of thing can be confusing at the best of times, but that is where you have found yourself in the right place at the right time. Within this piece, you will find a bit about common foot problems affecting individuals of all ages and how best to handle them. Irrespective of whether you have experienced them before or not, read on for more!
Muscular and Skeletal Problems
Muscular and skeletal problems affecting your feet can be somewhat uncomfortable and caused by a whole host of factors. With thirty-six bones in your foot, as well as over one hundred muscles, tendons and ligaments, there is a high chance that you will experience some discomfort or injury to at least one of these throughout your lifetime.
For the most part, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in our feet support our entire body, enabling us to complete day-to-day activities with ease and remain balanced. Should one of these become injured somehow, you are sure to notice the impact it has on your daily life and your ability to complete certain tasks.
Experiencing pain in your foot can be uncomfortable; it affects how you walk and can often be challenging to determine what is causing the pain. Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of feet pain and problems, impacting approximately fifteen per cent of adults. This muscular issue is caused when the plantar fascia tissue becomes swollen and inflamed.
Commonly affecting overweight or incredibly active people, knowing how to best treat a condition like this is crucial, for some people struggle to put weight on their foot during a flare-up. Treating Plantar Fasciitis can seem complicated, especially if you are unsure what is causing the pain.
For the most part, it is recommended to rest the affected area initially, but to also weight-bear as much as possible; sedentary lifestyles can also cause a flare-up. Stretching out your ankle and foot and icing the area are all recommended ways of treating the symptoms, alongside wearing supportive footwear.
Should you find that the at-home treatments for Plantar Fasciitis are not helping, make sure to seek medical attention from a trained professional. They will be able to treat the pain you are experiencing while creating a tailored care plan suited to you.
Skin and Fungal Problems
This is a health condition we feel confident most people won’t want to think about, but it is worth a mention all the same. Skin and fungal problems can also cause issues with your feet, and if left untreated, could cause pain and discomfort and an increased risk of infection. As is to be expected, there are a whole host of different fungal conditions out there, each caused by different types of bacteria.
Athlete’s Foot is the most common skin infection affecting the feet. Approximately seven in ten people have this condition at some point in their lives, and unlike the name suggests, it affects more than just those who are particularly active and sporty!
This skin infection is caused by a build-up of bacteria between your toes, leading to itchy and red skin that is prone to cracking. If your footwear causes your feet to become warm and sweaty, you have an increased risk of developing Athlete’s Foot. Taking necessary precautions, including wearing footwear with breathability, is ideal for preventing this fungus from developing.
Furthermore, should you find the condition not improving through home treatment, you should make an effort to contact your doctor. They will be able to assess the fungal infection and prescribe a steroid cream where necessary. There are also treatments available over the counter and in many supermarkets, should you feel slight embarrassment about talking to your doctor about this.
Nail infections are also a common problem affecting the foot and another that is not all that pleasant to think about. Much like Athlete’s Foot, nail infections are caused by a build-up of fungus and bacteria, and your risk of developing a nail infection is higher should you already have a fungal infection.
Pharmacists will be able to assist in the at-home treatment of a fungal nail infection. Antifungal nail cream is a popular remedy for treating something like this and is often used as a long-term course of treatment; it is thought it could take up to twelve months to cure a nail infection, so be prepared to apply the cream for a prolonged period of time. Not sold on the use of an antifungal nail cream? You can also use antifungal tablets to treat a fungal nail infection, and these tend to be prescribed by your GP.
Should your nail be badly infected, you might need to have it removed. Fear not, though; your nail will grow back eventually but might take some time to get back to the way it was.
Overall, we recognise this was but a short insight into the world of feet problems, and there are several more out there to think about. That being said, we hope you have found this piece interesting and insightful and are leaving us with a better idea of how to approach something like this should you experience them in the future.
