General Tips Corn
- Soak corn in soap and warm water. This softens the skin and then one can use a pumice stone/emery board/gels/washes gently for a number of days.
- Be careful to only remove a small amount of skin. Taking too much off could make the callus/corn bleed and lead to skin infection.
- One can use a range of NON-MEDICINAL PLASTERS TO PADDING to TOE SPACERS to protect the corns or callus (depending on where it is) for comfort purposes and reduce constant exposure to the friction and rubbing allowing the body to heel the corn or callous.
- Wear Better fitted shoes – one is able to wiggle their toes and is able to use a bunion padding whilst wearing shoes (low healed and wide but not loose) and not of a hard material (canvas or a soft leather)
- Avoid high heels or pointed shoes (no higher than one to two inches)
- Make sure shoes have a flexible sole not hard or flimsy.
- Feet tend to be often forgotten about as it is one part of the body which is hidden away. It is prone to roughness due to constant rubbing against the shoes and the ground and should be regularly exfoliated or using a foot file with a foot and heel balm to remove dead skin.
- One needs to moisturise (many products contain small amount of salicylic acid and/or urea if suitable, not steroidal creams) the feet on a regular basis to prevent dryness.
- See a chiropodist every six months.
- Foot pain is not normal, treat it as soon as one can
Foot care Patient Advice (especially diabetics or with poor foot circulation)
- Look at feet each day. If you are not able to check if someone else can, particularly if you have reduced sensation in feet.
- If you get a cut, bruises, redness, blister bleeding; please see your medical doctor, in the meantime cover it up with a clean dry dressing.
- If you have dry skin, use a moisturising cream or oil but do not use between toes (one may have athletes foot or be at risk).
- Cut your nails along curvature with toe nail clippers, not straight across. Do not damage your skin.
- Wash feet regularly everyday in warm soapy (anti-bacterial soap) water especially between toes and ‘pat dry’ thoroughly.
- Try to avoid foot burns:
- Check bath temperature with hand before you put your feet in.
- Keep your feet away from hot objects e.g. hot water bottles, electric blankets, close to fire, hearers
- Avoid slip on shoes
- Avoid top flat shoes, pointy shoes (have broad front with room for toes, sandals and flip flops that cause rubbing).
- Always feel inside shoes for stones or rough edges before you put them on.
- Always wear comfortable low heel shoes/trainers, (heels too low can strain the foot arch, cause sore and cracked heels)
- Make sure they fit well (comfortable fastening, liner and buckles to prevent rubbing otherwise can get blisters). Take into account any corns, bunions, awkward shape. (If have no choice, consider specially fitted shoes to take account of bunions, corns deformities)
- When buying new shoes, wear your usual socks.
- Gradually break in new shoes.
- Always wear comfortable socks (not too tight) with footwear. Socks protect you from a rubbing shoe.
- Do not walk bare foot anywhere. One may damage their feet.
- Rotate ones ankles move feet up and down and do regular feet exercise to improve suppleness and blood circulation.
Hot baths and massage
- Some diabetics cannot tell if their skin feels hot or cold sensations (peripheral neuropathy) and may burn their skin leading to skin infection and/or a serious muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis.
- Hot baths can increase blood flow and may reduce blood glucose levels in one’s blood due to an increase in insulin levels produced by ones body.
- Massages are fine if one has no poor circulation, it is not fine if one has poorly controlled or advanced diabetes and/or is prone to muscle breakdown this can lead to numbness, heart problems and/or kidney failure as well as a serious muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis.
- Avoid massaging areas when one has insulin injected as the pressure in the area may influence the way their body absorbs the shot and their alter their intake.
- Excessive heat can can cause your heart to beat faster which may be of concern if one has an underlying heart issue/cardiovascular issue.
Natural treatments and tips (DR Axe)
