Foot pain often is a common problem that many people wrestle with on a frequent or occasional basis. Since the human body places a lot of pressure on the feet, it can be important to practice proper care of the feet, especially if a person has health problems such as diabetes. Improper foot care may lead to chronic foot pain, surgery, or something more serious such as foot amputation. Some of the different types of foot care include care for bunions, calluses, and diabetes.
A bunion is a bump on the side of the big toe that can cause pain at the joint and may force the big toe against the second toe. This condition often affects women more than men. For bunion foot care, it is recommended that a person wear wide-toed shoes and place bunion spacers between the big and second toe on a nightly basis. Tight-fitting shoes usually should be avoided as much as possible. Without proper care, bunions could lead to chronic foot pain, deformity, and bunion removal surgery.
Calluses are hard thick layers of skin that can be found on the bottom or side of the foot. Normally, calluses are caused by an item placing pressure against an area of the skin. One of the foot care recommendations for calluses is to determine the cause of the pressure, such as tight shoes, and eliminate it. Most of the time calluses are not considered to be a serious problem and often heal within a couple of weeks. If a person has any signs of infection from their calluses, he may need to seek treatment from a physician.
People with diabetes may develop diabetic neuropathy, which is known as nerve damage to the feet. As a result of the nerve damage, a person may not be able to feel any pressure or injuries to their feet. For diabetes foot care, a person with diabetes typically should examine their feet regularly, wear comfortable shoes at all times, exercise frequently, and keep their blood-sugar level under control. Complications from diabetes can cause a serious bacterial infection in the feet, which could lead to amputation.
Taking proper care of the feet usually should be taken very seriously. Proper care and treatment typically will keep most feet healthy and pain free. If a person is experiencing any problems or issues with his feet such as chronic pain or swelling, he may need to see a physician or podiatrist for an evaluation.