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Happy feet

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Happy feet

A worrying 90 per cent of women have experienced a foot problem, with 20 per cent confessing to embarrassment about their feet, according to a College of Podiatry survey. As a result, more than one in 10 women have resorted to covering up their feet because they don’t like how they look.

Top foot problems suffered by women were blisters, cracked heels, verrucas, corns and ingrowing toenails, according to the survey. Despite these problems, 19 per cent had not sought help because they didn’t think their complaint was important.

Lorraine Jones, podiatrist from the College of Podiatry, says: “As a result of general wear and tear, most of us will suffer from some sort of foot complaint at some point in our lives, but we are seeing a lot of cases which could have been prevented – particularly amongst women. Conditions like blisters and cracked heels may sound like minor ailments, but they can cause a lot of discomfort and embarrassment. Many people don’t seek treatment early enough, which means they suffer unnecessarily and their problems get worse.”

So how can your customers make sure their feet are looking their best this summer, particularly if they suffer from chronic health problems?

Summer feet

During warm weather, feet are more vulnerable to irritation and injury, with many problems triggered by footwear. Cracked heels, for example, are often caused by friction from open-backed shoes such as sandals and flip-flops. To prevent cracked heels customers should apply moisturising cream twice a day and use an abrasive stone such as pumice. A non-metal foot file can be used while bathing to keep hard skin and calluses at bay. Customers can buy specially-formulated hard skin remover pens or foot creams to keep feet smooth and soft.

Foot odour and athlete’s foot can be triggered by wearing closed-in shoes regularly, especially in hot weather, leading to a build-up of moisture and the growth of bacteria and fungi. “Keep feet clean, scrubbing them on a daily basis,” says Emma Supple, podiatrist from the College of Podiatry. “If they tend to smell, try using an antibacterial soap but always use a bristle brush to scrub them.”

Blistering caused by rubbing, especially between the toes from flip-flops with thongs, can be very painful. Anti-blister sticks and blister plasters can provide instant relief and prevent further damage. Customers shouldn’t pop blisters – instead, cover them with a protective gel dressing to prevent infection.

Aching feet can be relieved with a cooling foot spray or gel, or with a foot roller to ease tension in the muscles. The College of Podiatry recommends that anyone standing all day should try to move about or flex their feet up and down to improve their circulation. “It’s important to stretch out calf muscles when you can,” says Ms Supple. “Try changing shoes at mid-day or wearing trainers on your journey to and from work and putting on smart shoes during the day. Varying heel heights is good, but even different shoe leather will ease pressure off ‘same spot feet’. Insoles are another way to support feet.”

People with diabetes need to be especially vigilant in the summer months when it comes to foot care. This is particularly important if they suffer from peripheral neuropathy (numbness or tingling in their feet), as they may not notice cuts or damage to their skin caused by an injury or from shoes rubbing. Most diabetes-related amputations are caused by a ‘foot attack’ – a foot ulcer or infection failing to heal.

Foot checks required

In March, Diabetes UK warned that many of the 6,000 diabetes-related amputations each year in the UK are a result of poor services and lack of awareness, leading to many people delaying seeing their doctor for months and missing the chance to save their foot. Diabetes UK is urging healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, to make sure everyone with diabetes not only gets a good-quality foot check at least once a year but, importantly, is told whether they are at high or increased risk and understands the urgent need to see a doctor if they have any signs of a foot attack.

At its annual professional conference, the charity launched a new patient information booklet, ‘How to Spot a Foot Attack’, about the signs of active foot disease. The booklet includes a card that people at high risk of a foot attack can display in their home to remind them that they need to seek urgent medical attention if their foot is red, warm or swollen, or there is a break in the skin or any discharge or oozing onto their socks or stockings. Pharmacists can order the booklet for free. 

Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, says that pharmacists have an important role to play. “We would encourage pharmacists to display the booklet and give it to anyone they feel could benefit from the information. It really is a question of communication. Pharmacists can be vital in this because they can take the opportunity to listen to what people with diabetes are saying and respond accordingly. For example, many people with diabetes experience loss of feeling in their foot, so it is crucial that they understand the importance of regularly checking their own feet for changes or getting a carer to do so, as they may be having a foot attack but not yet experiencing any pain or discomfort.”

"Only a third of people are able to access the foot health services they require and fewer than one in 10 hospital rheumatology departments have a formal means of referring patients on for specialist foot care"

Arthritis in the feet

According to Professor Alan Silman, medical director at Arthritis Research UK, people with musculoskeletal problems often have complex needs and it is easy for foot health problems to be overlooked. “Only a third of people are able to access the foot health services they require and fewer than one in 10 hospital rheumatology departments have a formal means of referring patients on for specialist foot care,” he says. “Yet the right foot care and therapeutic footwear can make the difference between someone being able to walk or not. Community pharmacists can encourage people with foot symptoms to receive an assessment of their foot health and make sure they are directed to the right sources of information.”

Unexplained persistent foot pain shouldn’t be ignored, and affected customers should be referred to their GP. Research from Keele University published in January found that painful foot osteoarthritis is more common than previously thought, striking one in six UK adults over 50 years old. The condition affects women more than men, with three-quarters reporting difficulty with simple day-to-day activities such as walking, standing, housework and shopping.

Most people will be able to manage their pain themselves with a regular foot care routine. Finding comfortable footwear can help, as well as losing weight if necessary. Jo Cumming, head of information and helplines for Arthritis Care, says: “Often people with osteoarthritis in the big toe go on to present with a bunion because of the joint damage. Another clue is people looking for cushioned or gel insoles – they, too, may have problems caused by osteoarthritis. So be aware if someone is buying those kinds of products. Check if they have seen their GP and what medication they might be taking for osteoarthritis. Often a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) gel can be effective in relieving pain in those small joints in the foot or ankle.”

Looking after legs

This year, Activa Healthcare has joined forces again with Angela Rippon (television presenter and vice-president of the Patients’ Association) to promote its ‘Get Active with Activa 2014’ leg health campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of various conditions that can affect the legs, with the message that “taking action now can safeguard future leg health”. Many problems, such as tired aching legs or more serious leg wounds, are caused by poor circulation in the leg veins. Tips from Ms Rippon include walking and exercising regularly, regularly moisturising the skin on the legs, stopping smoking, putting the feet up and not crossing the legs for long periods.

“We are all guilty of taking our legs for granted at times, and many people suffer from a tired, aching feeling in their legs by the end of the day,” says Kimby Osborne, leg health expert at Activa Healthcare. “This is especially the case for those who spend long periods of time on their feet, such as nurses, pharmacists, hairdressers and teachers. What people often don’t realise is that what starts as heavy legs or varicose veins can develop into a leg ulcer later in life, so it is extremely important to take steps early on to prevent problems developing.”

A good well-fitted compression sock can help alleviate symptoms and reduce the likelihood of developing more serious leg health problems. Compression hosiery also helps reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while on long-haul flights. “Make sure you go for regular walks whilst flying, do simple leg exercises to get your calf muscles moving, and always wear support socks.” </box>

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