Footwear is often an exacerbating factor of foot ailments. Ill-fitting footwear is not only uncomfortable, it can cause nail and skin issues. It may prevent you from being comfortable and accomplishing your daily activities.
Not all footwear is created equal. This is why understanding the benefits of proper footwear and the negative side effects (if the style and fit are not appropriate) are important.
Today, let’s review basic features of a shoe and how each can contribute to the health and function of the foot.
Basic footwear anatomy
The last is what the shoe is made from, or the starting point of a shoe’s creation.
The heel counter cups and supports the heel.
A firm heel counter will offer more support during gait as it will control the rotation and movement of the rearfoot.
The sole, usually made up of several layers, can vary in thickness depending on the activity the shoe is designed for.
The vamp cradles the midfoot and connects to the tongue.
The tongue is a piece of material that sits under the laces or the securing component of the shoe, protecting the top of the foot.
The toe box is the part of the shoe that covers, surrounds and protects the toes. It should be wide and deep enough to accommodate the toes and allow them to splay out naturally when weight-bearing.
Nail and skin conditions effected by footwear
Injury to the nails and skin can occur if shoes are too narrow or shallow or do not support the foot well enough. Ill-fitting footwear can cause trauma to the nail and skin on the feet, leading to damage over time.
Nail conditions
Fungal toenails are common and can be unsightly. A fungal infection in the nail appears in the nail plate but actually resides in the nail bed.
An injury can also cause the nail plate to become more curved and dig into the skin at the sides, causing pain, otherwise known as an ingrown toenail. This pain can force a person to change the way they walk or move to protect their affected toe.
Treatment
Footcare treatment for fungal toenails at a BioPed clinic will include thinning of the nail plate to increase comfort in footwear and enhance results of over-the-counter or prescription treatment.
There are a variety of solutions for ingrown nails. An innovative nail bracing system that reduces the curvature of the nail plate over time, is a painless treatment with zero down time. A BioPed Registered Chiropodist can remove part or all of the offending nail to provide short-term or long-term relief. Both approaches can provide pain relief and allow for more effective conservative nail care to be performed.
Skin conditions
Footwear is a usual suspect when blisters occur as shoes can cause excess friction on toes and the back of the heel. Callus and corns may result from the way the foot moves in relation to the ground. This can cause the skin to thicken, otherwise known as hyperkeratosis. Callus and corns can occur on and in between the toes, bottoms or sides of the foot.
Treatment
Callus and corns will be reduced or debrided during a footcare appointment, increasing comfort and function.
If you are suffering from a nail or skin issue on your feet, visit a BioPed clinic today. BioPed’s holistic approach to lower limb health ensures you are treated with the best care. This includes an assessment, problem-solving, treatment options and internal referral to a team member if needed.
