2024-08-01 05:20:41
The main causes of ailments
“In summer, the most common complaints are swelling and edema, sweating and unpleasant odor, ingrown nails, calluses and blisters, calloused or cracked skin on the feet, fungal infections caused by visiting swimming pools and public showers, and general leg fatigue caused by long walks,” says BENU manager of the pharmacy Laura Kairiūkštienė.
Jilda Tautkuvienė, diabetic foot care specialist at the Karoliniški Polyclinic, emphasizes that the main causes of foot ailments are insufficient or excessive fluid intake, improper diet, frequent alcohol consumption, overweight and obesity.
“Improper daily foot care, worn footwear, existing foot deformities and chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney, cardiovascular insufficiency, joint diseases and skin diseases also have a great influence,” says D. Tautkuvienė.
Cracks are especially dangerous for people with diabetes
Swelling of the legs and feet is often troublesome during the summer heat – the calves and feet swell because the blood vessels expand, their tone and the tightness of the valves decrease. According to D. Tautkuviene, it can be a temporary disorder, but if the swelling lasts longer, it can also signal a chronic disease.
According to the specialist, skin calluses and calluses on the feet are caused by mechanical irritation, pressure and friction: “For this reason, the cells of the upper stratum corneum of the skin multiply faster and the skin thickens and hardens in certain places. Without treatment and care of the skin, cracks appear, which not only cause discomfort when moving, but also open the door to infection.”
According to D. Tautkuviene, foot cracks are especially dangerous for people with diabetes. “If the disease is poorly controlled, even the slightest crack can lead to long-term foot problems,” says the diabetic foot care specialist.
Prevention of ailments: various preparations and healthy habits
In order to properly take care of your legs and feet in summer, you should not forget about proper footwear and regular hygiene. According to L. Kairiukštienė, various preparations and tools also help.
“Moisturizers and lotions, especially those with urea and aloe vera extract, help keep skin soft and supple, while antiperspirants for feet reduce sweating and odor,” she says. – Antimycotic creams and powders protect against fungal infections, and special plasters protect against blisters and calluses. Of course, you should not forget to choose comfortable, well-ventilated shoes, and you should wash your feet every day, drying the toes thoroughly.”
D. Tautkuvienė adds that greater physical activity, giving up bad habits, sufficient liquid consumption and a balanced diet will help prevent foot and leg ailments. “You should avoid processed foods such as sweets, chips, ice cream or canned foods, as well as fatty animal and salty foods. It is better to consume more vegetables, fruits, which contain electrolytes and various minerals”, advises D. Tautkuvienė.
According to a diabetic foot care specialist, if leg swelling, sweating, and calluses bother you even after following all the mentioned prevention measures, you should consult a family doctor and determine the exact causes of the ailments.
“These signs can also signal a disease, so it is necessary to examine the state of health by contacting a specialist – cardiologist, endocrinologist, vascular surgeon, nephrologist or dermatologist. It is also possible to visit regular pedicure salons, podiatry centers, and medical institutions with diabetic foot care specialists. During these procedures, special foot equipment is used, with the help of which skin wrinkles, calluses, ingrown nails, thickening of the nail plates are safely and painlessly removed, and knowledge on foot care issues is provided,” says D. Tautkuvienė.
Appropriate footwear and walking barefoot
Specialists emphasize that in the summer it is important to choose air-permeable footwear, the heel of which is not higher than 5 centimeters, and new footwear should be worn for no longer than 2-3 hours to avoid blisters.
“Choose shoes that allow your feet to breathe, made of genuine leather or other breathable fabrics. You should also remember to change your shoes regularly to avoid moisture build-up and unpleasant odors. Of course, the footwear must be of the right size, not too narrow and not too loose”, observes L. Kairiūkštienė.
D. Tautkuvienė adds that if you have foot deformities, you should wear special orthopedic shoes, purchase insoles and other orthopedic devices recommended by an orthopedic traumatologist. She advises not to forget to regularly clean not only the outside of the shoes, but also the inside.
In the summer, when we spend time by the sea or lakes, many of us walk barefoot in the homestead or in the yard of our house. According to D. Tautkuviene, if the feet are properly cared for and the surface is soft and safe, such walking is only beneficial.
“It activates blood circulation, strengthens the mechanics of the foot. However, if we walk barefoot in an unsafe environment and the surface is rough, such walks can end in foot injuries, infections or other diseases. Again, this is especially dangerous for people with diabetes,” says D. Tautkuvienė.
2024-08-01 05:20:41