 |
 |
1.
Have feet measured by a Qualified Fitter.
Both feet should always be measured for size
and width, because one foot may be different
from the other. The larger foot usually dictates
the size needed.
2. A Fitting Gauge is merely a guide - sizes
and fittings vary, there is no standardization
of shoe sizing in the U.K. which is why a
Qualified Fitter is so important to interpret
the correct shoe for the shape of foot.
3. Buy footwear made of natural materials
(i.e. leather, cotton or the like) as these
materials breathe. Man-made materials (i.e.
plastic) make feet perspire possibly causing
fungal infections and abrasions.
4. Children's shoes ideally ought to have
laces or straps across the instep allowing
for finer adjustment without restriction giving
a better overall fit.
5. Feet may be 'measured' sitting or standing,
but the final assessment should be whilst
standing as the feet spread when standing
weight is applied. Walk out of any shop that
asks you the size of your child's foot and
then takes your word for it.
6. Never rely on the question "Do they
feel comfortable?". Distortion and cramping
can be present without feeling pain and discomfort.
If in doubt of fitting, ask a Supervisor for
a second opinion at the time of purchase.
7. Children's shoes should be professionally
checked for correct fit every three months.
8. Never hand shoes down, they take on the
shape of the previous wearer - they will rub
and not support in vital areas.
9. Monitor your child's sock drawer and discard
outgrown or misshapen socks. Buy cotton socks,
avoid stretch socks and check toe seams for
a 'casting-off ' knot that can rub toes. Socks
and Baby-grows that are too small will restrict
growth.
10. Look after your shoes, polish them and
they'll look better and last longer. Protect
nubuck with spray before wearing to keep clean
and repel water.
11. Keep feet clean, dry between toes and
cut toe nails straight across - unlike finger-nails,
they can become ingrown if shaped.
12.Wear the 'right shoe for the right occasion'.
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
We're told to take 10,000 steps a day -
and with every step, the foot will strike
the ground with up to three times your body
weight. That's a lot for your feet to put
up with, so it's no wonder they're prone to
painful problems.
Luckily, paying your feet a bit of attention
can reduce your suffering. A good start is
to give your feet something sensible to wear.
• Problems caused by footwear
• Other common foot complaints
• Athlete's foot
•
How should I look after my feet?
•
For further information
Too-tight shoes can cause or worsen all sorts
of foot problems. For example, they can:
• rub the skin, causing blisters
and chafing
• make the toes buckle
underneath the foot, putting pressure on the
toe joints and making the foot less efficient
as a lever for your weight
• increase
the pressure in certain areas on the feet,
causing painful corns (thickened skin over
a joint), callus (thickened skin on the ball
of the foot) or bunions (when the big toe
leans in towards the second toe and the joint
becomes inflamed and sore)1,2,3,4
High heel shoes can cause particular trouble,
especially if you wear them every day. They
push your feet forwards so your toes are squashed
and the balls of your feet are under pressure.
On top of the problems caused by increased
pressure, high heels can shift your centre
of gravity and alter your gait, leading to
backache.
Another problem caused by high heels is a
trapped nerve in the foot (Morton's neuroma),
which causes pain, numbness and tingling,
and/or aching and burning feet.5
So if you wear heels regularly, try to limit
the height to 4cm, and try to alternate between
different heel sizes from one day to the next.6
Foot problems may be a combination of poor
footwear and underlying problems with bone
deformities or the way you walk. Supportive
shoes and in-soles (orthoses) can help you
walk in a way that won't worsen the problem.4
It's not just painful problems caused by pressure
of walking and footwear that can stop us in
our stride. The warm, dark and damp environment
of feet cramped in shoes provides the ideal
breeding ground for infections.7
One common infection is athlete's foot.
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the
skin on the feet, often in between the toes.6
The fungi that cause athlete's foot
are usually picked up in communal areas such
changing rooms, showers and gyms.9
Common signs of the infection include areas
of intensely itchy, flaky, cracked or blistered
skin on the soles of the feet or between toes,
especially between the third and forth toes.
If the infection worsens it can spread to
your toenails and become harder to treat.8
Almost five in 100 people in the UK have a
fungal foot infection.9 And despite the name,
it's not just sporty types who get athlete's
foot. But you are more likely to suffer from
the condition if you:7
• have sweaty feet - for example,
you regularly wear trainers
•
use shared changing areas, or communal showers
or baths8
Athlete's foot can also affect areas of dry
skin, which may be cracked and lacking in
protective oils, and is common in summer because
the sun dries the skin out.7
You'll also be more prone to the infection
if you have a weak immune system, for example,
people with diabetes, HIV or AIDS.8
The good news is that you can usually treat
athlete's foot easily yourself. There are
a number of creams, powders and sprays available
to buy over the counter from a pharmacist.
These contain drugs that kill or reduce the
growth of the fungus, such as miconazole (Daktarin),
terbinafine (e.g. Lamisil), or tolnaftates
(e.g. Tinoderm-M).8,10
Talk to your pharmacist about using these
treatments. Some of them need to be used for
some time after symptoms have disappeared
to make sure the infection has completely
cleared up. If creams and lotions applied
directly to the affected skin don't work,
tablets are available that your GP can prescribe
if appropriate.8,10
Take care with hygiene if you have any kind
of foot infection. There's no point in treating
it if you're constantly re-infecting yourself
by putting on socks or shoes carrying the
fungi. Wash your hands after applying any
treatment to avoid spreading the infection
to other parts of the body.7
Making foot care part of your daily routine
can help prevent or relieve many common foot
complaints, so indulge in a bit of foot pampering
each day. Follow these simple steps to reduce
the risk of infections, blisters, corns and
bunions.11
• choose the right shoes for
the job, and make sure they are suited to
your feet and the way you walk
•
wash your feet every day and dry them thoroughly,
especially between the toes
•
check your feet regularly for cracks in the
skin or blisters, which might be signs of
an infection
• remove hard skin
gently with a pumice stone - but if it's painful
or over a bony area or joint, visit a state
registered chiropodist/podiatrist
• massage your feet regularly with a
moisturizing cream. This will help with circulation,
soothe minor aches and soften hard skin
•
dust an absorbent foot powder between your
toes to help keep them dry and fight infection
If you suffer from diabetes and you are concerned
about your feet, particularly if you develop
an ulcer, abscess or notice discoloration
- you should seek advice from a doctor. Foot
complications are common in diabetes and can
lead to amputation if they're not properly
treated. But by practicing good personal foot
care, complications can be detected earlier
and treated more easily.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
