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​​Do you know someone who suffers from Diabetes?  Do they have regular foot care check-ups in accordance with best practice for people with Diabetes?
 
Diabetes is a serious illness and if left uncontrolled, may cause nerve damage reducing the sensations in your feet.  It may also reduce blood flow to the feet which inhibits the healing of wounds and can allow infection to be introduced.
 
Good foot care guidelines would include

• Inspecting your feet daily where you can see changes before they become problems such as blisters, swelling or nail issues.
• Be gentle when bathing your feet; never use hot water and always dry between your toes.  If you cannot use a towel, use paper towel, it may be easier.
• Have your feet cared for, nail cutting, corn removal etc, with a fully qualified Foot Health Practitioner as wounds or cuts to your feet could lead to ulceration if left untreated.
• Wear socks and shoes made specifically for people living with Diabetes.  Gentle Grip socks that won’t create a “tourniquet” effect at your ankles and doesn’t have seams to irritate your toes.  Wider fit shoes will give your feet room in case of swelling, hammer toes and bunions – removing pressure points and making movement easier.

 
Having to alter the way you walk due to bad feet can also affect your other joints such as knees and hips and create pain in your lower back.  See Andrea Keenan at The Foot Care Centre for diabetic foot checks and any foot issues you may have.

​Are you enjoying the sunshine and getting out in the fresh air – keeping in mind social isolating.  Vitamin D, called the Sunshine Vitamin, is a unique vitamin that people just don’t get enough of, especially in Ireland. 
 
Spring/Summer are the best times to enjoy being outdoor and connecting with the healing power of nature.  Vitamin D can also be taken as a supplement and occurs naturally in a few foods, including some fish, egg yolks and in fortified dairy and grain products. 
 
Vitamin D is an essential for strong bones, helping to prevent Osteoprosis, including in the foot and ankle; also helps your gut health by assisting the absorption of calcium and phosphorus – two minerals that are essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones; promoting skin cell growth, repair and can prevent premature aging; improves your mood, we smile more when the sun is shining.
 
Deficiency in Vitamin D is associated with increased autoimmunity and susceptibility to infection – it helps keep our immune systems balanced during the cold and flu season, very important at this time and helps your body absorb calcium and promote bone growth.

Some tips that will help you safely enjoy the sunlight:

• Only spend a short amount of time (approximately 30 minutes) in the midday sun to increase your body’s absorption of Vitamin D.
• Always use a sunscreen with a high PF factor to protect your skin.
• Use sunglasses to protect your eyesight.
• See your GP immediately if you see a new lesion or growth or changes in your skin; colour, size or shape or a sore that doesn’t heal.
• When having your annual blood check up have your GP check your Vitamin D levels.

 
As with everything, getting a healthy sun intake is a balancing act.

​It is very important for Seniors to take proper care of their feet for lots of reasons as foot problems tend to occur as we age. 
 
Feet lose cushioning/footpad over time and the nails grow thick and brittle.  Many Seniors experience reduced blood flow and this can delay healing of foot sores.  Bony deformities such as bunions and hammer toes, toenail disorders and arthritis are very common foot problems in older people.
 
Here are some Senior foot care tips for improved health and why foot care is important.

• If your feet are sore there is normally a reason for that so please don’t ignore any pain.  It could be due to corns or hard skin or maybe footwear that doesn’t fit correctly or may be old and need replenishing. 
• Proper fitting footwear is absolutely vital for everyone – too big and your foot moves around and too small and it creates pressure points which could lead to corns or callus or in severe cases, ulceration.
• Keep feet clean – this way you can more easily notice any changes to your skin or nails and visit your Foot Health Practitioner if concerned.
• Once you have cleaned them, you should moisturise your feet, but never between your toes as that can encourage fungal or bacterial infections.  Again, moisturising your feet will help reduce callus, help you to notice any changes in skin temperature or condition and rehydrate your skin.
• Movement like walking or golf or some other physical activity promotes circulation and good foot health.

 
At The Foot Care Centre we can help you to alleviate any problem you may have and also sell specialised gentle grip socks for people suffering from Diabetes and Oedema and wider fitting shoes and boots to accommodate any issues such hammer toes and bunions.

​​Recently I have been lucky enough to avail of some excellent online study during these extraordinary times.  I have completed all sorts of topics from Dementia Care to Verruca to taking advantage of the training from the Local Enterprise Office for the Training Online Voucher, expertly bought to us by Noel Davidson of The Entrepreneurs Academy.
 
During his online training, Noel told us about Ivy Bean who at the grand young age of 102, became an internet sensation.  Ivy Bean was on twitter @ivybean104 and each year she changed her tag to include her age.  Ivy Bean died at the ripe old age of 104, Rest in Peace Ivy.  Note to Noel, you now need to update your post!
 
Social media is a fabulous tool for a small business like The Foot Care Centre.  You can stretch your reach to a customer anywhere in the world, you just need the tools – an excellent website; good content and an e-commerce section to enable your customers to make sales, book appointments and contact you by email.
 
And excellent training is key – if you are unable to access or utilise all the benefits of social and digital media – you are missing out and so are your customers.

Are you worried about a parent or older relative or someone who is medically vulnerable who is cocooning due to Covid-19?  Do they have foot problems and are you unsure what you should do next?  Our clinic will be open from Monday, 18th May 2020 but here are some foot tips to help in the meantime.
 
What could you look out for and what could you do:

• Routinely check the feet for any cuts, sores or swelling.  An older relative may not have the same sensitivity in their feet that they used to and may not notice changes.
• Clean their feet in warm soapy water but avoid soaking them because that may dry them out and make them more susceptible to possible infection.
• Use an emery board or nail file (but be careful of delicate skin) to smooth the toenails to prevent the nails growing into the skin.
• You could lightly apply a foot file to try to lessen the hard skin (callus) to make it more comfortable for your relative to walk. 
• Apply cream/lotion every day with a clean pair of socks.  Do not put cream between your toes as this could encourage Athlete’s Foot or other infections.
• Avoid tight fitting shoes, shoes shouldn’t hurt your feet.  Likewise, avoid flip flops, flats or slip-on slippers as they don’t provide enough arch support and the foot could come out of the shoe and cause injury or a fall.

 
Though everyone over 70 has been asked to cocoon, movement and sunshine is also important to overall good health and it’s important that they stay mobile.  That could mean simply walking up and down their driveway, their footpath to the line and back or just sitting outside in the sun and fresh air – don’t forget the sunscreen, you can still get burnt in Ireland in April.
 
Commons symptoms of Covid-19 include a fever, a cough or sore throat and a shortness of breath.  If you suspect anyone has Covid-19 or any other medical concerns, contact their doctor in the first instance and have them self-isolate. If its outside doctor’s hours, contact the emergency services (Gardai / Ambulance) or your local hospital.
 
To stop the spread of Coronavirus wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol based hand gel.  Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm or into a tissue and bin it straight away and use antibacterial spray / disinfectant to clean household services.
 
To help you and your family to stay healthy the HSE is advising everyone to stay home, practice social distancing (2 metres/6 feet apart) and clean their hands regularly.
 
Stay safe.

Chilblains are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to repeated exposure to cold but not freezing air.  Chilblains can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on your hands and feet.
 
Risk factors include:
Clothing that is tight or exposes skin to the cold. Wearing tight-fitting clothing and shoes in cold, damp weather may make you more susceptible to chilblains. And skin that is exposed to cold, damp conditions is more likely to develop chilblains.
Your sex and weight. Women are more likely to get chilblains than are children and males. Also, people who weigh about 20 percent less than is expected for their height have an increased risk of chilblains.
Environment and season. Chilblains are less likely in colder and drier areas because the living conditions and clothing used in these areas are more protective against cold. Your risk of chilblains is higher if you live in an area with damp and cold, but not freezing, temperatures. They are more common from November to April.
Having poor circulation. People with poor circulation tend to be more sensitive to changes in temperature, making them more susceptible to chilblains.
​Having been diagnosed with Raynaud's disease. People with Raynaud's disease are more susceptible to chilblains. Either condition can result in sores, but Raynaud's causes different types of colour changes on the skin.
 
Chilblains most often develop on the toes. Common symptoms include:
·            a burning sensation on the skin
·            red, blue or white swollen patches                                             
·            intense itching              
·            dry skin, leading to splits and cracks
·            possible secondary infection
·            ulceration, in severe cases.
 
To help prevent chilblains:
·            Avoid or limit your exposure to cold.
·            Dress in layers of loose clothing and wear mittens and warm, water-resistant footwear.
·            Cover all exposed skin as completely as possible when going outside in cold weather.
·            Keep your hands, feet and face dry and warm.
·            Keep your home and workplace comfortably warm.
·            Don't smoke.
If your skin is exposed to cold, it's helpful to rewarm it gradually because sudden rewarming of cold skin may worsen chilblains.
 
Treatments
Treatments for chilblains, which consist mainly of topical remedies and medications, are usually effective and the patient makes a full recovery within a couple of weeks. If left untreated though, there is a risk of complications, such as skin ulcers, cracked or broken skin, and infections.
 
The patient can treat chilblains that have not developed into and infection or skin ulcer with OTC medications purchased at a Chemist.
 
Corticosteroid cream - this may help with symptoms of inflammation and itching. If the skin is cracked the individual should see a doctor.
 
Home care
The following can ease symptoms:
·            rewarm skin gently - do not massage, rub, or apply direct heat
·            keep skin dry and warm
·            apply lotion to reduce itching
·            clean skin with an antiseptic to reduce the risk of infection
·            do not scratch
 
Severe, ulcerating or recurring chilblains need professional attention. A qualified Foot Health Practitioner can offer advice on prevention. If you suffer from severe and recurring chilblains, your doctor may prescribe a preventive drug. If you have a pre‑existing condition, such as diabetes, you must see your doctor to check the circulation in the affected area without delay.

Looking after your feet
 by Andrea Keenan of The Foot Care Centre, Clonmel

​Taken from the South Tipp Today newspaper 22nd February 2018
 
 
People always remember to pamper their feet in preparation for the warm summer months because they are more exposed. The following is advice for giving your feet the proper care to ensure good healthy feet all year round.
 
Ensuring your footwear fits comfortably and is not too tight is paramount when choosing a shoe at any time of the year.  To check that you are wearing a shoe with a toe box wide enough for your feet, you should be able to wiggle your toes freely inside your shoe. Sandals, shoes or boots that restrict the movement of your feet and squash your toes, create pressure on the nail and this in turn can cause your nail to grow into the skin and develop into an ingrown toenail.
 
Socks made from natural fibres, such as cotton or wool are best for your feet.  Avoid synthetic fabrics which can cause your feet to sweat and smell. Natural fibre socks help keep your feet warm and dry and prevent heat loss. This is especially important for people who suffer from Diabetes, damaged nerves or poor circulation (the “high-risk foot”) because they are more likely to experience problems with their feet.
 
It is important to keep your feet clean and dry and your toenails neatly manicured to avoid common foot issues such as corns, calluses, fungal infections and ingrown toenails.  The weather can dry out your feet and cause cracks, especially in your heels.  If not properly treated broken skin can leave you vulnerable to infection, such as Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis).
 
Be sure to alternate the wearing of your footwear, if at all possible.  When your feet are kept in a warm, moist environment for long periods of time –  such as steel-capped boots, wellington boots and winter shoes and boots - the added warmth from closed-in footwear and warm socks may cause your feet to sweat, increasing the risk of infection and providing an ideal environment for nail fungus to grow and thrive.  Keep footwear clean and dry and allow them to air out between wears. 
 
Looking after your feet will keep them looking nice and healthy so you will be ready when Summer finally arrives.
 
It is very important to inspect your feet regularly.  If you are experiencing any kind of foot pain or notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to contact me. I am here to help you have healthy, attractive feet.  If there is any item you would like to discuss further, please come and visit me.

If you suffer from congestive heart failure and diabetes, these two conditions can possibly cause a buildup of fluid in the feet, making the skin more fragile and prone to infection. Good routine foot care can assist in this area.