FOOT TROUBLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 January 1939, Page 8

FOOT TROUBLES

WAYS OF PREVENTING THEM.

One of the penalties of modern conditions is that so many of us have prolonged standing as a part of our occupation. This tends to cause flat feet and varicose veins.

Flat foot really means that the natural muscles and ligaments that preserve the arch of the foot give way under the weight of the body and the arch flattens out. In the early stages this is accompanied. by considerable pain, especially at the insertion of the arch under the heel and under the ball of the toes. When flat foot has been in existence for a long time, the foot becomes completely flat. There is no longer any strain on the arch, and the condition becomes painless. In this last stage the foot comes in contact with the ground over a large area, and the print of a wet foot shows a marked projection on the inner side of the foot.

STRENGTHENING WEAK ARCHES. The most important thing is the prevention of flat foot. Those whose occupation involves much standing should kep the feet warm, comfortable and dry. This maintains the circulation and prevents the weakening of the arch. Thick socks or tennis socks should be worn in cold weather. The habit of turning out the toes for walking contributes to the weakening of the arches. Savage races and children, when walking naturally, point the feet straight ahead, and this is the proper and natural method. Daily exercise of the muscles and joints of the feet is important. The best exercises are walking on tip-toe and with the feet together, raising one’s-self to tip-toe and back to the flat position.

If the condition has already started, as shown by pain, the usual practice is to wear arch supports. These certainly relieve the pain, but inevitably cause further weakening of the arches. The best treatment at this stage is to wear shoes with a shallow strip of leather nailed under the sole just in. front of the ball of the big toe, and to have the heel broad and cut away so that the inner side is a quarter to three-eighths of an inch higher than the outer side. This throws the weight slightly on to the outside of the foot, and takes the train off the arch. This, combined with pointing the toes straight ahead and tip-toe exercises, would check and cure the complaint at this stage. TREATING CORNS.

Corns are best treated by a chiropodist, although you can treat them at home by rubbing them down nightly with an emery board, and in the morning, after bathing them, applying a little iodine.

Soft corns are always very tender, .and if you think that you have one coming on or feel any soreness between the toes, place a tiny pack of cottonwool there, and allow it to remain until all the soreness disappears. Anomer* point to remember when thinking of corns is to be sure and see that your shoes are long enough. Always be sure when you are buying new shoes to stand up in them and to see that they are long enough for your toes to lie flat. INGROWING NAILS. Ingrowing toe-nails can be very painful—in fact, sometimes it has been necessary to operate and remove the nail. This can all be avoided if you occasionally give your nails a pedicure. When you are cutting them, always be sure and cut them straight across, not down at the sides. Then cut a tiny “V” shape in the centre of the nail. This allows the nails to grow away from the corners. Clean the nail well and place a tiny piece of cotton-wool, soaked in vaseline, between the inside of the nail and the toe. This treatment will very soon remove any tendency to ingrowing nails.

After you have cut the nail, smooth the edges off win. tne fine side of an emery boaru and bevel them, so that tnere will be no rough edges to catch in fine "silk stockings. This simple precaution will save you many ladders.

Hammer toes and bunions are best treated by a chiropodist, although relief can be given by walking around the house, as much as possible, in toeless sandals, or, better still, bare feet. Swollen, tender feet should be treateach mgnt before retiring. Massage some vaseline well into them, always rubbing from nie toes toward the ankles. Then put on an old pair of tennis socks, rest your feet on a pillow, and off to sleep. When you apply the vaseline see that plenty is rubbed in between the toes.