Heel pain in children

Heel pain in children

Advice
There are many possible causes of heel pain in children. Sever's disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is a common cause. This condition commonly occurs in children aged between 10 and 14, and is characterised by pain in one or both heels. This is caused by repetitive damage and inflammation of growth plates of the heel bone (calcaneus). 60% of patients have both heels involved. The condition is believed to be the result of a mismatch in growth of the calf bone (tibia) to the calf muscle and achilles tendon (the tendon which joins the calf muscle to the heel bone). It is thought that the calf bone grows more quickly than the muscle and achilles tendon and so this soft tissue becomes uncomfortably tight. This places more stress on…
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Having problems with blisters?

Having problems with blisters?

Advice
Blisters develop to protect damaged skin and help it heal. They're mostly caused by friction, burns and skin reactions.  The most common types of blisters include: Blood blisters: caused when something pinches your skin. Instead of clear liquid, blood floods the area from broken blood vessels and damage to the lower layers of the skin. The blood pools and forms a blister.Friction blisters: due to rubbing on the skin, friction blisters form when clear fluid builds up in the upper layers of skin. Many people develop friction blisters from walking too much in poor-fitting shoes or by not wearing socks. Heat blisters: caused by burns or sunburn. They may also form after you warm up from frostbite. Blistering skin is part of a second-degree burn. How do I treat blisters? Blisters…
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Looking After Your Feet Post-Marathon

Looking After Your Feet Post-Marathon

Advice
Running a marathon is no small feat (feet 😉), so looking after your feet post-event is very important.  You should rest, relax and reward yourself for your achievement!  Here are some foot health advice tips for caring for your feet in the days after the race: Have a warm foot bath Rest and recovery is crucial to any post-race plan, and giving your feet a chance to soak in a warm foot bath with some soothing Epsom salts will help you relax.  Be sure to check your skin for signs of injury, such as cuts and blisters, prior to soaking your feet. Look for nail damage Check your nails to see if the repetitive trauma from the run has caused damage.  If the nail seems very loose you may need…
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What causes heel pain?

What causes heel pain?

Advice
The heel (also called the calcaneus) is the largest bone within the foot and is often prone to injury due to overuse.  Depending on the severity of the condition, heel pain may range from mild to disabling.  There are many causes of heel pain, such as by trauma, inflammation, or a systemic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.  This post highlights a common condition that leads to heel pain – plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis Plantar fasciitis refers to inflammation of the plantar fascia - a thick fibrous band that connects the heel to the front of the foot.  The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot and absorbs pressure. When it is inflamed or torn, putting pressure on the foot may result in sharp pain.  Although the exact cause of…
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How do I know if I have plantar fasciitis?

How do I know if I have plantar fasciitis?

Advice
Plantar fasciitis: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment What is plantar fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis is thickening of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue running underneath the sole of the foot. The thickening can be due to recent damage or injury, or can be because of an accumulation of smaller injuries over the years. Plantar fasciitis can be painful. What causes plantar fasciitis? A number of factors can contribute to plantar fasciitis. While men can get plantar fasciitis, it is more common in women. You're also more likely to have this condition as you age. Common causes of plantar fasciitis include: Being overweight Taking up a new form of exercise or suddenly increasing the intensity of your exercise Standing on your feet for several hours each day Medical conditions such as rheumatoid…
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Footcare for walkers

Footcare for walkers

Advice
Take these simple steps to make sure you get the best out of your feet. There are several simple steps that everybody can take to ensure they have good feet: Check your feet regularly for any lumps, bumps, blemishes, grazes, cuts, etc. that are not normally present and take appropriate action. Wash your feet very day. Pay particular attention to the area between your toes and make sure you dry your feet thoroughly. If possible, change your footwear on a daily basis. Every day our feet sweat, and this moisture is absorbed within the socks and shoes. It usually takes longer than overnight for the shoe to dry out thoroughly, so if you wear the same shoes on consecutive days you are effectively putting on a damp shoes. Wear Coolmax…
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Why you should never neglect your feet in winter

Why you should never neglect your feet in winter

Advice
Who's secretly happy to hide their feet again now boot-season is upon us? You're not alone. Just because feet inevitably go into hiding in Autumn and Winter though, doesn't mean you should let 'em go. Far from it in fact, the temperature drops this time of year can cause havoc with your feet, all the more reason to maintain your foot care. Our Podiatrist  explains that your feet have a blood supply that is affected by climate. "As the temperature fluctuates the skin is left hot or cold. When your feet feel cold, it means the skins blood supply to the top layers of the skin have been reduced to preserve heat." No wonder they get as dry our chapped lips – even without being exposed to the elements. Tight-tights…
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Corns are caused by pressure or friction over bony areas

Corns are caused by pressure or friction over bony areas

Advice
What is it? / What causes the problem? When we walk or stand, our body weight is carried first on the heel and then on the ball of the foot, where the skin is thicker to withstand the pressure. When this pressure becomes excessive, some areas of skin thicken in the form of corns and callus, as a protective response to the body’s reaction to the friction of skin rubbing against a bone, shoe or the ground. Callus (or callosity) is an extended area of thickened, hard skin on the soles of the feet. It is usually symptomatic of an underlying problem such as a bony deformity, a particular style of walking or inappropriate footwear. Some people have a natural tendency to form callus because of their skin type. Elderly…
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Verruca Advice

Verruca Advice

Advice
If you are worried about your verrucae and/or self-treatment is not working and/or the verrucae appears to be getting larger or more painful, you should seek the help of a HCPC registered podiatrist. What is it?Verrucae are plantar warts that commonly occur on the soles of the feet or around the toe area. They are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is highly contagious through direct person to person contact. There are various forms of HPV which all relate to various parts of the human body. What causes the problem?The virus is thought to thrive in moist, damp environments such as swimming pools, changing room floors and communal shower areas. It is possible to contract verrucae simply by walking across the same floor area as someone with a…
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Smelly feet: What causes this and how can I prevent it?

Smelly feet: What causes this and how can I prevent it?

Advice
Smelly feet - the medical name is bromodosis - can affect anyone. It can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. The main cause is sweaty feet and there are simple steps you can take to help prevent this. What causes sweaty and smelly feet? The function of sweat glands is to keep the skin moist and therefore supple, and to regulate temperature when the weather is hot or while you are exercising. There are more sweat glands in our feet than anywhere else in the body. However, unlike sweat glands elsewhere in the body, the sweat glands in the feet secrete all the time, not just in response to heat or exercise. Feet smell when bacteria on the skin break down sweat as it comes from the pores. A cheesy smell is…
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