by Rudo Makuyana, Sydney Podiatrist
One of my favourite pastimes is scrolling through Reddit and seeing what people are talking about. With hundreds of thousands of conversations on the most random niche topics, there is something for everyone on Reddit. Just today, I found huge discussions about Coles grated cheese, pregnant horses and Lee Lin Chin. And that was just in 5 minutes of scrolling,
Yes, Reddit is lots of fun, but it’s not always great for medical advice.
It can be tempting to turn to online forums for advice about medical problems but the problem is you don’t know who’s advising you. It’s fast and free, but you could be getting potentially harmful advice. Or simply people recommending products that aren’t available here in Australia, at the very least. When you visit the doctor or podiatrist you have expert health from a qualified professional who can ask questions and give you a reliable diagnosis. Yes it costs more, but you enjoy your feet every day so it’s worth the investment.
Today I spent time on Reddit looking at foot health questions, and I’m answering a select few for you below.
What’s your foot care routine?
Question: The bottoms of my feet, especially the heels, are extremely rough. So rough, it feels like Velcro against blankets! Need recommendations on foot scrubs, lotions, potions, callous remover..??Help!!
Rudo’s answer: Sounds like dry skin leading to cracked heels, a common condition. It’s usually easily managed at home. Follow these steps:
- Soak your feet in lukewarm (not piping hot) water for 15 minutes
- Use a pumice stone to gently exfoliate the dead skin from your heels
- Apply a heel balm with at least 20% urea generously to the affected area
- Pop on a pair of cotton or woollen socks and sleep in them overnight
- Repeat this routine a few nights a week.
Products to use:
- Footllogix Heel balm or Dermal Therapy Heel Balm
- Natural Foot Pumice Stone from Amazon
- Australian sock brands Lafitte, Joode and Bruce Goose
Overlapping toes
Question: My pinky toe is both curled in towards the fourth toe, and the toe also lays sideways. I notice when I don’t wear my shoes that I get big toe pain from this. I notice my big toe curls inward to balance, and I think it’s due to my pinky toe sitting sideways that I’m unable to use that toe for power.
Rudo’s answer: This looks like overlapping toes, which can be painful. Avoid pointed shoes that cramp the feet (professional work shoes for men can often be the culprit). Try toe separators which can help guide the little toe back to a preferable position. A podiatrist can also recommend specific exercises to strengthen the weaker foot muscles that may be causing the problem. If the problem persists or has been troubling you for many years, surgery may be the only solution. A podiatric surgeon can realign the bones, but of course there’s considerable expense and recovery time to consider.
I spilled boiling water on my foot
Question: I spilled boiling water on my foot, I had this bandaged nicely but as I’m lying in bed my cat accidentally pops my blister.
Rudo’s answer: Ouch that looks painful! This is definitely one for a doctor. The cat scratch makes you vulnerable to infection and you will need to get the burn wound treated and dressed again.
Why does my foot hurt?
Question: Why does my foot hurt? If I walk a lot it hurts for a few days after sometimes. I hurt this foot in a car accident a few years ago and have a feeling it might be related to that. Help!!!
Rudo’s answer: If you’re walking and only this foot is experiencing pain, I agree — it’s likely related to your earlier car accident injury. The walking is causing stress on this foot, so perhaps the injury is still causing some recurring problems.
There is a visible lump there on the outer side of your foot that ordinarily would not be there, so you’d need an x-ray to check for any bone damage. This is not a problem that will go away with ignoring it. And continued walking on an injured foot will only cause further strain and damage, so get treatment right away.
Flat feet and tight calves
Question: I have flat feet and use custom orthotics. Despite that my calves get really tight halfway through my runs. They fatigue and tighten up. There’s no sharp pain, just a lot of tension and stiffness in the calves, especially mid-run. Has anyone with flat feet dealt with this? What helped you? Specific calf exercises? Tibialis strengthening? Lower drop shoes? Slower build-up? Would really appreciate any advice!
Rudo’s answer: There could be a number of reasons causing your stiffness, but my first thought is that your orthotics aren’t meeting your needs. Some things you could try:
- getting a second opinion on your orthotics – especially if they are a few years old. Technology has improved over recent years so a new pair of custom orthotics
- check your footwear – an alternative brand may be able to give you more support
- strengthening exercises – focus on your calf muscle’s strength and flexibility with stretches and weight training
- slowing down – when stiffness occurs, don’t ignore it – reduce your pace to walking and wait five minutes, then increase your pace
- seeing an exercise physiologist, podiatrist or even your GP to discuss further treatment
How to deal with foot blisters?
Question: For those who are backpacking and walking lots. How do you manage with your foot blister? I just got mine today and it looks like my day in Paris might be half done since I am having a hard time placing any weight on the right foot.
Anyone knows what caused it? My entire two weeks have been fine except for the last day when I tried slightly more fitted socks. Maybe that is why?
Answer: If nothing else changed during your travels, then yes, the tighter socks may be the culprit. Or it could be the increase in walking that generally caused the blister as your skin isn’t used to the increase in friction. To treat the blister, use blister bandages – band-aids specifically designed for blisters. This will allow you to keep up your walking while travelling. To prevent blisters from ruining more holidays:
- make sure your shoes are not too tight or too loose, which can cause rubbing, which in turn causes blisters
- break in new shoes over time, gradually increasing the hours you wear them, so when you’re ready for a big day of walking your shoes are ready too
- try moisture wicking socks, like cotton or bamboo – you can even wear two pairs to reduce rubbing on your skin
- lubricate your feet before long walking sessions – apply a thick foot cream before your socks to help reduce friction
- drink water as dehydration can also be a factor in the formation of blisters
- always pack band-aids with you and apply them the moment you feel the discomfort of blisters forming
