Women

Women have to face their own foot problems that they must actively keep an eye out for. In the past when women were homemakers, they were on their feet a lot more than men.  Now that more women are entering the workforce in today’s society, a new set of problems has arisen.

High Heels

Women invite foot problems with high heels. High heels may contribute to knee and back problems, disabling injuries in falls, shortened calf muscles, and an awkward, unnatural gait. In time, high heels may cause enough changes in the feet to impair their proper function. Most women admit high heels make their feet hurt, but they tolerate the discomfort in order to look taller, stylish, and more professional.

There are ways to relieve some of the abusive effects of high heels, however. Women can limit the time they wear them by alternating with good-quality oxford-type shoes or flats for part of the day. Tight-fitting high heels only compound the abuse.

Fortunately, women have other heel-size choices. The key is wearing the right shoe for the right activity – and that means varying heel heights, and determining what heel is most suitable.

For example, there are comfortable and attractive “walking” pumps (also called “comfort” or “performance” pumps) for women for work and social activities. Several companies have also designed footwear for certain athletic activities, including aerobics, specifically for women.

Experts say the best shoes for women may be:

• A walking shoe with ties (not a slip-on).
• A Vibram type composition sole.
• A relatively wider heel, no more than a half or three-quarters of an inch in height.

Pedicures

Take these precautions after having a pedicure:

• Soak your feet in warm soapy water for approximately 10 minutes. This helps to soften and clean skin and nails.
• After the foot soaking, gently remove calluses with a pumice stone or emery board. This gets rid of dead skin cells. Some body scrub products can help exfoliate dead skin. Contact our office if you need to cut or shave calluses.
• Push back the cuticles with an orange stick or a Hindu stone. Cuticles offer protection from bacteria and infection. Cuticles clearly overhanging the nail margins should be carefully trimmed. Any trimming which goes further than the nail margin or draws blood is unsafe.
• Trim toenails straight across rather than in a curved pattern. This helps prevent ingrown toenails, allowing the straight edge of the nail to advance as one unit. Cutting the toenails in a curved pattern allows the recessed edges to grow into the skin. Trimming nails too short can promote ingrown toenails. The toenails should be trimmed just enough so that you can see a few millimeters of skin just beyond the nail margin. Nails should not overhang the edge of the toe.
• Refine the nail edge with an emery board, maintaining the straight edge.
• Apply cream and moisturizing lotion to the skin and nail margins.
• Massage cream or lotion into the feet. A foot message can help relieve tension and tired, aching feet. You can get a good massage at home by rolling your feet back and forth over a rolling pin or bottle. Specialists in the body’s reflexes, called reflexologists, believe that points on the foot correspond to other body parts and ailments can be relieved through reflexology. They believe the ball of the foot has a connection to the lungs, the heel to the lower back, and the great toe to the head. Although no scientific research exists to back up these claims, reflexology does seem to produce positive results for some people. People with significant medical problems should consult a medical doctor.
• Apply nail polish remover to the nails to gently remove excess lotion. This allows nail polish to adhere better to the nail. A pedicurist usually will apply polish as a base coat, then one or two coats of color, and finally a clear topcoat.
• Space your pedicures apart by approximately eight weeks.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women need to observe good foot health to prevent pain and discomfort. Since the body undergoes changes and acquires a new weight-bearing stance, women should wear shoes with broad-based heels that provide support and absorb shock. Additional body weight also calls for more support, to prevent foot “breakdown.”

The expectant mother often experiences more than ordinary swelling of her feet and ankles, which can aggravate existing foot conditions and promote inflammation or irritation. Pregnancy also triggers the release of hormones that enhance loose ligaments, which can contribute to foot strain. If problems develop, contact our office.

Stockings

Women who always wear nylon pantyhose expose themselves to a host of foot problems. Nylon does not breathe and the heat that it generates and traps cause excessive perspiration. A warm, damp area is an ideal place for fungal infections such as Athlete’s foot.

Inexpensive nylon pantyhose can also cause forefoot problems, because they don’t allow the normal expansion of the foot when walking, and may pull the toes backward when the pantyhose ride up. The cramping and pressure of the hose can contribute to ingrown toenails and hammertoes.

We take pride in providing you with a comfortable office experience at Alpine Foot. Our qualified staff is friendly and will ensure a pleasant visit. We look forward to providing you with an entirely new foot health experience.