Sanda_Issue_January-2019

11
Common Foot
Problems & Care
Problem Pharmacy Options Natural Approaches
Smelly feet occur when bacteria
break down dead skin and sweat on
the feet.
Verrucas are warts that get flattened
into the sole of the foot when walking.
Calluses are hard, thick patches
of skin due to rubbing of shoes or
abnormal pressure.
Corns are calluses that form on a toe.
Athlete's foot is a fungal skin
infection that usually involves the 4th
and 5th toes.
Bunions develop as a bony outgrowth
on the side of the foot, at the base of
the big toe.
Blisters occur when rubbing separates
layers of skin to form a fluid-filled
bubble.
Tired achy feet are inevitable after
standing or walking all day.
Use an antibacterial, deodorising
foot spray. Buy insoles designed to
neutralise odours. Dust feet and shoes
with an antifungal powder.
Consult an expert. You might be asked
to apply salicylic acid solution/gel or
plasters to dissolve hardened, infected
skin. Or, use a home-cryotherapy
product to freeze the verruca.
Metatarsal pads or soft insole inserts
are available to help cushion painful
calluses on the sole of the foot. Hard
skin may need to be pared away
professionally. Consult an expert.
Wear a corn plaster to cushion and
protect the hardened area of skin. Corn
wraps give even greater protection.
Apply an anti-fungal cream. Treat
for at least 10 days after symptoms
improve. Dust with antifungal powder
to prevent recurrences.
Wear well-fitting, wider shoes. Pads,
bunion protectors and toe spacers
help to relieve pressure. You may need
a custom-made orthotic device to
straighten the big toe.
Cover with a hydrocolloid gel blister
plaster which soaks up fluid and
forms a cushioning, healing, antiseptic
environment.
Treat feet to a luxurious soak in a
bubbling foot spa. Supplements
containing red vine leaf extracts are
helpful for aching legs and feet.
Wash your feet at least once a day.
Clean under toenails and remove
rough, dead skin on the soles of your
feet with a foot file or pumice stone.
Use creams or powders designed to
scent feet.
Apply vitamin E oil, the white juice
from a dandelion or neat tea tree oil
daily until the wart dries.
Soak feet in dilute chamomile tea.
Gently rub with a pumice stone or
foot file. Use a rough skin foot scrub.
Moisturise well afterwards.
Clean with tea tree oil and apply aloe
vera gel. Or you could apply castor oil
on the corn thrice a day. The oil softens
the corn and makes it disappear
eventually.
Dry thoroughly between the toes - use
tissue paper or a gentle hairdryer.
Apply a dilute blend of tea tree, neem,
lemongrass and/or lavender essential
oils.
Apply an ice pack for a few minutes,
then apply aloe vera gel.
In many cases, exercising your foot
can help reduce the pain and promote
toe flexibility. This can slow down the
progression of your bunion. Regular
massage of warm castor, coconut or
olive oil will reduce the size of the
bunion and make the affected area
less susceptible to corns and calluses
as well.
Do not burst a blister. Draw out fluid
with medicinal honey gel (cover
and change three times a day).
Alternatively, dab calendula ointment
or aloe vera gel on an open blister.
Bathe feet in a solution containing
Dead Sea salts. Moisturise with a foot
cream/butter afterwards, and trim your
nails while you’re at it!
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