Practicing Good Foot Care Years of wear and tear can be hard on feet. So can disease, bad circulation, poorly trimmed toenails, and wearing shoes that don't fit right. Foot problems are sometimes the first sign of more serious medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and nerve or circulatory disorders, so check your feet often, or have a member of your family check them. If you have a problem with your feet, your foot care nurse can help or you can see a podiatrist.

One easy step to take is to remember to put your feet up when you are sitting down. This helps the circulation in your legs and feet. So can stretching, walking, or having a gentle foot massage. A warm foot bath is also helpful, but make sure your feet are dry before you put on your shoes. Try to avoid pressure from shoes that don't fit. Don't sit for a long time or keep your legs crossed for too long, and don't smoke.

Making sure your shoes fit you

Protect your feet by wearing shoes that fit your feet and wear shoes whenever going outdoors. Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can prevent many foot problems.

Common Foot Problems

Fungal Infections, such as athlete's foot, happen because our feet are in shoes most of the time. Shoes are warm, dark, and moist—the perfect place for fungus to grow. A fungus can cause dry skin, redness, blisters, itching, and peeling. It can be hard to cure. Over-the-counter anti-fungal powders or creams can help. If your foot does not get better within 2-4 weeks, talk to your doctor.

Toenail fungus Fungi are all around us, and they can get a "toe-hold" due to trauma, circulatory changes, immune system compromise, and others. It is important, especially for diabetics, to have regular, professional foot care. There are several remedies for toenail fungus. Some of the most popular ones are white vinegar, Listerine, tea tree oil, and Vicks Vapor-rub. Some are not effective, and all depend on a long-term commitment. Anti-fungal creams are not effective for toenail fungus. Your doctor can prescribe a medication, but it has harmful side effects that must be considered.

Dry skin can cause itching and burning feet. Use mild soap in small amounts and a cream or lotion on your legs and feet every day. Be careful about adding oils to bath water since they can make your feet and bathtub very slippery.

Corns and Calluses are caused by pressure when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes. Wearing shoes that fit better or using special pads may help. You may feel better if you use some over-the-counter medicines, but they do not treat the cause of the problem. See your doctor, especially if you have diabetes or circulation problems--in diabetics, calluses are a "red flag" for pressure spots that may lead to ulcerations.

Warts are skin growths caused by viruses. They are sometimes painful and may spread if not treated. Over-the-counter products rarely cure warts, so you may need to see your doctor.

Bunions develop when the joints in your big toe no longer fit together. They become swollen and tender. Bunions tend to run in families. If a bunion is not too painful, wearing shoes cut wide at the toes and instep (middle part of the foot), taping the foot, or wearing pads that cushion the bunion may help. Physical therapy and shoe inserts can bring relief. See your doctor. Medicines can help with pain. Sometimes surgery is needed to relieve the pressure and repair the toe joint.

Ingrown toenails are caused by a piece of the nail breaking the skin. Use clippers made to cut toenails. Ingrown toenails are very common in the large toes. Regular foot care can keep nails with a tendency to become ingrown under control.

Hammertoe is caused by a shortening of the tendons that control toe movements. The toe knuckle grows and pulls the toe back. Over time, the joint gets bigger and stiffens as it rubs against shoes. This can affect your balance, and can cause pressure spots. More space in the shoe or stocking can help. In very serious cases, surgery may be needed.

Spurs are calcium bumps that grow on bones of your feet. They are caused by stress on the feet. Standing for long periods of time, wearing badly fitting shoes, or being overweight can make spurs worse. Sometimes spurs are painless. At other times, they can hurt. Treatments for spurs are foot supports, heel pads, and heel cups. Sometimes surgery is needed.

Swollen feet may be a sign of more serious health problems. If you continue to have swollen feet and ankles, see your doctor.

Preventing Infections

Keep your feet clean and dry. Be sure to dry the area between your toes. Change your shoes and socks or stockings often to help keep your feet dry. Don’t buy tight shoes. Try dusting your feet every day with foot powder.

Diabetes or Peripheral Artery Disease

If you have diabetes or peripheral artery disease, good foot care is very important. Either disease can cause poor blood flow to the feet. Scrapes or bruises can become infected. Have your doctor check your feet.

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Our Foot Care Services are available at any of our scheduled foot clinics at the Milwaukie Sr. Center, the Elsie Stuhr Center in Beaverton or at the Lake Oswego Adult Center. See our clinics page for times, addresses and phone numbers. Foot Care Services are also available at your facility or in your home!