6 Most Common Foot Problems Women Suffer From

Have you wondered why you can’t wear high heels all day, like you used to?
Or what is causing your feet to hurt so much?
And where did bunions come from?

Did you know that by your 50’s you would have walked an estimated 150 000 kilometers
So it’s no wonder that you will develop foot problems along the way

6 Most Common Foot Problems Women Suffer From

Cracked Heels

There are several reasons why you might develop dry and cracked heels.
Your feet are responsible for holding up your body and therefore need to withstand a lot of pressure.
When weight and pressure are applied to the heels of your feet, the skin expands outwards.
If your skin is dry, it will become less elastic and is, therefore, more prone to cracking.

Common factors contributing to cracked heels

Aging
The natural aging process can be a contributing factor to cracked heels.
As you age, your skin loses moisture and becomes more susceptible to dryness.
Eczema
This is a skin condition that causes itchy, flaky skin and can develop on the soles of your feet, causing blisters and itchiness.
Walking barefoot
Walking around barefoot can expose the skin on your feet to rough surfaces, toxins, allergens, and bacteria, contribute to cracked heels.

Other causes of dry, cracked heels:

Deficiency of vitamins, minerals, or zinc
Hormonal conditions such as thyroid or estrogen imbalances
Circulation problems
Obesity
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Sjogren’s syndrome
Infections such as athlete’s foot
Flat feet
Heel spurs
Standing for long periods of time
Open-healed or poorly fitting shoes
Dry, cold weather
Source:webmd.com – what to know about cracked heels

Home remedies to treat cracked heels

Several home remedies can prove to be useful in treating cracked heels.
Heel balms
Use a heel balm twice daily to increase the elasticity of the skin on the heels.
Heel balms that help to retain moisture in the skin include lanolin, petroleum jelly, glycerin, urea, ceramides, alpha hydroxy acid, and humectant for moisture.

Foot soaks
Soak the feet in warm water for about 20 minutes and exfoliate with a foot scrub.

Exfoliate
A pumice stone helps to remove the rough parts of cracked heels.
However, if you have diabetes, it is best to avoid scrubbing your feet with a pumice stone.
Source:medicalnewstoday.com – 6 fixes for cracked heels
mayoclinic.org – how to heal cracked heels

Fallen arches

It is common knowledge that your feet change in size and shape during pregnancy, but did you know that your feet change with age as well?

The shape of your feet can have a major impact not only on the health of your feet themselves but in other areas, such as posture.
It is normal for feet to have some arching between the ball and heel of your foot, but as you age, the likelihood of fallen arches increases.
It is something that may already be happening but you have not noticed it yet.
Shoes with proper support can help prevent or support fallen arches.
Source: uchicagomedicine.org – do feet change in middle age

Bunions

This is a very common foot problem suffered by many middle-aged women
A bunion is a sore, uncomfortable lump that appears on the bony part of your big toe and occurs when the big toe is forced diagonally into the other toes.

This forces the knuckle bone in the toe to jut out, resulting in a bunion.
This problem is more prominent in women than in men as a result of high heels that force the feet into unnatural shapes.

You are also more likely to be affected by this condition as you age.
Shoes that fit the shape of your feet can help reduce the pain of bunions.
Surgery is the only way to completely remove the lump.
Source: clevelandclinic.org – bunions: causes

Corns & Calluses

Calluses often result from walking a lot and can occur on the bottom of the feet
Although they are not immediately problematic, they do make it easier for skin to crack and for infection to enter, and as such should be dealt with.

Corns usually develop on the toes or even on the top of the foot.
Finding more comfortable shoes can help reduce both pain and the likelihood of corns or calluses forming.
Foam wedges and creams can also be useful and if very advanced, a doctor may need to shave the area.
Giving yourself a footbath and using a pumice stone is the best way to prevent corns and calluses.
Source: mayoclinic.org – corns and calluses

Fat Pad Atrophy

Getting older often means putting on additional weight and fat.
However, the one place you can lose fat padding is on your feet.
You need the cushioned fat layer to protect your feet from daily pounding.
Pain can be felt in the ball of your foot and the heel.
Wearing shoes with cushions or custom-made foam shoe inserts may help.
Source: mortonsneuroma.com – foot pain

Morton’s Neuroma

You probably have experienced this at some time or another, but did not know it’s called a Morton’s Neuroma.
This is a quite common foot condition and includes symptoms of pain in the front part of your foot or a feeling as if you are walking on a rock or a marble.
Morton’s neuroma tends to happen more often in older women and in those who wear high heels or tight-fitting shoes.
You may need steroid shots or surgery if the pain gets too severe.
Source: mayoclinc.org – morton’s neuroma

Follow these easy tips to keep your feet healthy

Tip #1 Keep your toenails short
Long toenails are a toenail fungus’ best friend.
Additionally, having longer toenails will cause your toes to bang up against your shoe and ultimately damage your matrix, that part underneath the half-moon of your toe.

Tip #2 Stop messing with your cuticles
The cuticle is a seal that protects the growing nail from the outside world.
When you aggressively manicure your cuticle away you expose the nail to a whole host of pathogens.

Tip #3 Stop walking around barefoot
Funguses are everywhere in our environment.
Decrease your chances of unnecessary exposure by covering your feet.

Tip #4 Change your socks
Fungus loves sweaty socks.
As soon as you get back from the gym or your run, make sure you change your socks.

Tip #5 Use a callus cream
Callouses build up to form extra skin.
Fungus loves to snack on extra skin.
It is recommended that you use a cream containing urea to manage calluses.

Tip #6 Regularly air out your shoes after sports
Ensure that they are not wet while you wear them.

Tip #7 Use a proper toenail nail cutter
Make sure you cut your toenails with a nail cutter specifically for toes.
Disinfect them after every use and do not share these with anybody.
Source:
choosept.com – tips to maintain healthy feet
webmd.com – healthy feet tips
gothamfootcare.com

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