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.

How do I know the source of the smell?

So we know common causes of smelly shoes, but how can we identify which one applies? Here is how you can identify the source!

Athlete’s foot (other foot or nail fungus)

Look for a patch of white or red irritated skin on the bottom of the foot. This patch is usually intensely itchy. For nail fungus, the nail can become discoloured and thick. An odour often accompanies fungus or bacteria living on the feet in and out of the shoe. These can also be diagnosed by a Doctor, Chiropodist or Podiatrist or further treatment recommended by a BioPed clinician to one of the above.

Sweating or skin shedding

You may be sweating if you have hot feet or notice slipping and sliding in the shoe with or without a sock. Your foot will feel moist for extended periods during the day and feel damp when taken out of the shoe. You may see the residue in the shoe itself if you don’t wear socks with them, signalling dead skin cells collecting in the shoe.

Lack of aeration

Look where you store your footwear – is it out in the open, under the bed or in a duffle bag?

How can BioPed help you?

Athlete’s foot (other foot or nail fungus)

A BioPed Pedorthist can help recognize the signs of a foot or nail fungus and refer you to a specialized footcare professional or back to a Doctor for further treatment if medical grade interventions are required. We also have a range of footcare products, such as Footlogix Nail Tincture solution for nail fungus available in clinic. We also have Advanced Footcare nurses and Chiropodists at select locations. Check out the BioPed website to find a clinic near you that can serve your needs!

Sweating or skin shedding

Wearing moisture-wicking or thermoregulating socks can help control sweating and moisture accumulation in your shoes. At BioPed we carry an array of compression and diabetic socks in our clinics. Call to see if a fitting is required and talk to your physician about the benefits of compression socks.

Lack of aeration

Try storing your footwear in an open area with proper air flow, either from a fan moving air or an open window. Utilizing scented freshener products may also help reduce unwelcome odours in enclosed spaces. BioPed Footcare carries Footlogix Shoe and Foot Spray deodorants for your feet or shoes that kill odour-creating bacteria. Talk to a BioPed clinician about the best option for you!