SOS Tips for Foot Problems

Our feet carry us through the world, in all weathers and not infrequently squeezed into tight, oppressive footwear. Therefore, it is no wonder that they can fall ill in a variety of ways. Thus, foot problems such as warts on the balls of the feet, foot pain while walking or athlete’s foot often occur. What you can do for various foot ailments, read here.

Causes of foot sweat

Foot sweat is annoying and not infrequently embarrassing because of the cheesy smell. Especially in summer, some people are more prone to sweaty feet than others. This can be predisposition, but also wrong footwear is a possible cause.

Selection of shoes and socks

Especially when the temperatures rise, you should pay attention to air-permeable, breathable shoes for the sake of your feet. Sandals, flip-flops or sneakers of high quality ensure a fresh breeze at all times – foot sweat can thus evaporate right away. The most foot-friendly material is genuine leather, while plastic is particularly sweat-inducing. In winter, the choice of shoes is naturally somewhat more limited. The right shoe soles can help here. Products made of leather or cedar wood have performed particularly well in product tests. For the summer, perfumed insoles that mask the smell of perspiration are a good choice. Breathable socks should also be considered. Fine cotton socks are better than synthetic socks. In addition, changing socks several times a day helps maintain a permanently fresh feeling. After wearing, socks must be washed at 60° C to kill bacteria.

Foot sweat – what to do?

Foot sweat is odorless by nature. Only when the sweat comes into contact with our skin bacteria, the typical cheesy smell develops. Therefore, spraying the shoe with disinfectant can curb bacterial growth in the sealed shoe. Shoe deodorants containing alcohol offer the same effect. Another “first aid” for foot perspiration is foot powder. It absorbs moisture and, on the one hand, improves wearing comfort in warm temperatures and, on the other, reduces the smell of cheese. Finally, it is helpful against foot sweat to wear several pairs of shoes in alternation. In the meantime, you can put the worn pair in front of the door to air it and additionally stuff it with newspaper to speed up drying. If foot perspiration has developed despite all measures, an aromatic foot bath has a refreshing effect. Important: After the bath, dry the feet properly, including the spaces between the toes.

7 tips for foot sweat

  • Make the right shoe choice: open shoes or breathable sneakers.
  • In winter, it helps to wear leather or cedar shoe soles.
  • Put on cotton socks, change several times a day if necessary.
  • Use alcohol-based shoe deodorant or perfumed insoles.
  • Spray shoes once a week with disinfectant.
  • Wear several pairs of shoes in alternation, let dry and air out in the meantime.
  • Foot baths with aromatic additives have a refreshing effect.

Foot fungus

Burning, itchy feet and scaling of the feet are typical signs of athlete’s foot. The warm, slightly moist environment of the spaces between the toes provides the ideal breeding ground for athlete’s foot pathogens. Infection occurs through direct contact, for example when walking barefoot in a swimming pool or public sauna. For an infection to occur, however, the fungal pathogen must overcome the natural protective layer of the skin. Small wounds thus favor infection. Immunocompromised people also have an increased risk of contracting athlete’s foot. If athlete’s foot spreads, toenails and the sole of the foot can also be affected. To treat athlete’s foot, fungicidal preparations (antifungals) are used. For mild infections, external application in the form of creams, ointments and powders is sufficient; for severe infections, it may be necessary to take antifungal tablets.

7 tips against athlete’s foot

  • Avoid walking barefoot in public places and put on bathing shoes.
  • At the first sign of athlete’s foot infection, consult a dermatologist.
  • Regular, thorough foot care prevents athlete’s foot infection.
  • Avoid sores: Comfortable footwear and professional foot care help to prevent pathogens from entering.
  • Provide a dry, “anti-fungal” foot environment: wear dry socks and breathable footwear.
  • In case of athlete’s foot infection, regular change of used towels and socks and washing of textiles at 60 ° C.
  • Antifungals are drugs in the form of ointments or tablets that kill the fungus.

Foot blister

A common situation: after a nice hike, you take off your heavy boots and notice a pressure mark on your heel. The next day, a large blister has formed – what to do now? Once the blister is there, you should prick it. This allows the secretion contained in it to drain away and creates the conditions for new skin cells to form. A sewing needle disinfected by heat or alcohol or a sterile cannula from the pharmacy is suitable for puncturing the blister. Afterwards, the area must be protected for optimal wound healing. Blister plasters are particularly suitable for preventing further friction. However, the plaster should be removed at night, as air also helps blisters to heal. Smaller blisters can be left in place; they often heal on their own. Blisters can be prevented by wearing suitable, pressure-free footwear. If a pressure point already exists, a blister plaster can prevent further friction.

5 tips for blisters

  • Wear comfortable footwear that is free of friction and pressure.
  • Shoes before longer distances first run in.
  • When beginning pressure points blister plaster use.
  • Existing large blisters prick with disinfected needle, leave smaller blisters.
  • Minimize further friction with plasters, let air to the blisters at night.

Ingrown toenail

An ingrown toenail (lat. Unguis incarnatus) can occur due to incorrect or inadequate foot care, nail injuries or shoes that are too tight. A congenital wide nail shape can also promote the ingrowth of a toenail. In this case, the lateral edge of the nail pushes under the skin into the nail bed and there is increased growth of the nail fold (the fold of skin on the side of the nail). Even this stage is very painful. The big toe (big toe) is most frequently affected. In the course, inflammation may form – the toe becomes red, thick and warm, eventually pus discharges. In severe cases and especially in immunocompromised people, the inflammation can spread towards the trunk of the body and even cause blood poisoning. Therefore, ingrown toenails should be treated early by professional foot care or – in severe cases – by a doctor.

Treatment of an ingrown toenail

To treat an ingrown toenail, a number of conventional options are initially available:

  • Anti-inflammatory foot baths soften the cuticle and counteract bacterial infection.
  • Special taping techniques try to increase the space between the nail and the nail bed.
  • Nail correction braces are designed to give the nail a new shape.

These techniques are used mainly in chronic courses and may be required for up to 14 months. If these measures are not enough or there is inflammation on the toenail, often only a surgical intervention helps. Depending on the findings, the nail is cut out in a wedge shape (Emmert plastic surgery) or only the edge of the nail is removed.

4 Tips against ingrown toenails

  • Cut the toenails for prevention not oval, but straight and not shorter than the lateral nail bed.
  • When cutting the nails, be careful not to damage the cuticle.
  • Especially if you have a sugar metabolism disorder (diabetes mellitus) or circulatory disorders of the feet (pAVK), resort to professional foot care.
  • In severe cases, the doctor must surgically treat the ingrown toenail.

Plantar warts

Plantar warts (plantar warts) occur only on the feet and are among the most common warts of this part of the body. They are not easy to recognize, as they can take different shapes. Typical is their sharp demarcation against the healthy skin and a pronounced central keratinization. They grow inwards and thus close with the skin level. The inward growing horny cone causes pain when it appears. The cause of plantar warts are human papilloma viruses (HPV). Infection occurs through direct contact with horny scales, for example in swimming pools or public saunas.

Treatment of plantar warts

Various preparations for local application are available as therapy for plantar warts, none of which promises reliable success. The active ingredient salicylic acid is supposed to lead to the detachment of the outer horny layers and thus expose the wart. Acidic caustics destroy the wart tissue but also the surrounding healthy skin. Cytotoxins (cytostatics) also kill both wart and healthy tissue. In addition, there are several physical procedures to treat plantar warts, such as:

  • Icing
  • Scraping (curettage)
  • Laser
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Surgical excision
  • Photodynamic therapy

Garlic, celandine or onion extract are described as home remedies with questionable efficacy.

4 Tips for plantar warts

  • If you suspect a plantar wart, you should see a doctor.
  • For treatment, there are various topical preparations, which should cause the death of the wart.
  • In addition, various physical measures are available.
  • To prevent infection, barefoot walking in public places should be avoided.

If you implement these everyday tips, foot discomfort should be a thing of the past