The foot is one of the least visible parts of the body and for this reason often does not receive the same level of care and attention that other parts do. This can in turn lead to a variety of foot problems and the discomfort of sore feet. Here are 5 essential foot facts to be aware of when considering your foot care regime. 1. Hot Feet - The average temperature inside your shoes is a staggering 106 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a true wonder that your feet don't just quit and go strike! 2. Hammer Toes - Women are in fact the most frequent sufferers of hammertoes. In fact, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society advises that women have about ninety percent of all surgeries for the most common foot problems, such as bunions and hammertoes. A crucial factor in the causation of these problems is fashionable footwear that does not fit appropriately. Basically, make a decision to wear shoes that actually fit your feet. Do not allow slavish following of fashion to dictate the health of your feet. 3. Ingrown Toenails - approximately 10% of Americans have had an ingrown toenail at one time or another. It is the most common toe -nail impairment. Ingrown toe-nails mostly occur in children, teens, and young adults, primarily because they don't respect the early warning signs that something is wrong. Most ingrown toenails are self-inflicted - treat your toenails with respect and avoid unnecessary foot pain. 4. Plantar Foot Pads - the skin on the sole of your foot is actually the thickest on the body - three times thicker than the skin on your palms and fifteen times thicker than your delicate facial skin. The plantar fat pad thins as you age. Certain disease states, such as rheumatoid arthritis diabetes also causes this padding to atrophy. 5. Fetid Foot Odor - is a secondary effect of direct bacterial action on sweat-softened skin. Basically, moisture plus heat and poor hygiene ( a situation commonly found in our shoe wear) will lead to the increased breakdown of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis. A causative factor in this is poorly constructed shoes of rubber or plastic materials that allow for unrelieved accumulation of sweat, which in turn leads to skin maceration Keeping your feet healthy and pain free need not be a chore. In fact the essentials are quite simple - Ensure a healthy well balanced diet, take plenty of exercise and most importantly choose well supported shoes that fit. Your feet will in turn reward you for this with many years faithful service! Copyright (c) 2010 Eamon Greville
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