Winter 2007	The feet beat
Self-help solutions for common woes Our feet travel more than 100,000 miles in a standard lifetime—enough to cause plenty of aches and pains. Below we’ll discuss some common foot problems and their remedies. Talk to your health care provider if discomfort remains. Bunions The problem: High heels and pointy shoes can change the shape of your foot, turning the big toe toward the second toe. This causes the bone that sticks out to rub against the inside of the shoe, forming thick, rough and painful tissue. The remedy: Wear properly fitting, soft leather, low-heeled shoes with plenty of toe room. An over-the-counter bunion pad can ease pressure. Heel pain The problem: This condition arises when the tissue that runs from heel to toe along the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. Repeated stress can tear the tissue from the heel bone, causing pain. The remedy: Switch to low-heeled supportive shoes and rest for a few days. Massage your feet daily with ice or roll your heel over a frozen juice container. Calf stretches can strengthen the tissue. Ingrown toenail The problem: Pressure on the toe can cause the corners of the nail to curl down and cut into the soft toe tissue, resulting in swelling and pain. An improperly cut nail or tight shoes can cause an ingrown toenail to form. The remedy: Soak the toe in warm water to soften the nail. Insert a small amount of absorbent cotton under the nail edge to keep the nail from cutting the skin. Repeat this daily until the nail grows out. From now on, cut your toenail straight across, not on a curve. Hammertoe The problem: Toes bend unnaturally and become clawlike when the toe tendons contract, forcing the toe to bend downward while its middle joint sticks up. The remedy: If it causes problems walking, felt pads and padded toe sleeves, available at most pharmacies, can ease discomfort. Buy wide shoes with rubber or flexible soles.   For more information about foot health, log on to My HealtheVet at www.myhealth.va.gov.       Calluses and corns The problem: Repeated pressure causes skin to harden on the ball of the foot or underneath the toes, forming a callus or a corn. The remedy: Soak your foot in warm water until the skin softens. Use a pumice stone or callus file to remove the skin. Protect the area with a light bandage and avoid ill-fitting shoes.
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