Develop a Daily Foot Care Routine

Your feet work hard every day, so giving them some tender loving care (TLC) should be part of your daily routine. A consistent foot care habit not only keeps your feet looking good but also helps prevent dryness, infections, and discomfort. Here’s how to build an effective daily foot care routine:

1. Wash Your Feet Every Day

While it might seem obvious, many people overlook proper foot hygiene. Simply rinsing your feet in the shower isn’t enough to remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria. Take a moment to thoroughly wash them with warm water and mild soap.

• Focus on cleaning between your toes, where bacteria and moisture tend to accumulate.
• Avoid long soaks, as they can dry out your skin.

2. Dry Thoroughly

Damp feet create the perfect environment for fungal infections like athlete’s foot. After washing your feet:

• Pat them dry with a clean towel, paying close attention to the spaces between your toes.
• If you’re prone to sweaty feet, consider using an antifungal powder to keep them fresh.

3. Moisturize Daily

Dry, cracked heels can be uncomfortable and may lead to infections if left untreated. To keep your feet soft and healthy:

• After drying your feet, apply a urea-based foot cream, focusing on your heels and soles.
• Avoid applying moisturizer between your toes to prevent bacteria and fungi from thriving.

4. Exfoliate Weekly

Exfoliation removes dead skin and helps keep your feet smooth and soft. Once or twice a week:

• Use a pumice stone or foot file to gently focus on rough areas like your heels.
• Follow up with moisturizer to lock in hydration.

Why This Routine Matters

Making foot care a daily habit isn’t just about appearance; it’s about maintaining foot health and preventing problems before they start. Here are some key benefits:
• Keeps Infections Away: Clean, dry feet are less likely to harbour bacteria or fungi.
• Healthier Skin: Regular moisturizing and exfoliating help prevent cracks and calluses.
• Early Problem Detection: Daily care helps you notice early signs of issues like blisters, cuts, or redness.

Taking just a few minutes each day to care for your feet can make a significant difference in how they look and feel. Your feet work tirelessly to carry you through life—they deserve a little extra attention and care!

At Medipod Clinics, we care about the health of your feet and always strive to provide the best advice for maintaining healthy skin. We offer a variety of treatments, including verruca management, ingrown toenail and nail surgery, plantar heel pain management, and specialized care for children’s feet and individuals with diabetes. We also manage fungal infections and provide advanced treatments with laser technology. Let us help you keep your feet in the best possible condition.

Thank you for reading this months blog, Let’s start a daily footcare routine.

Take care,
Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Let’s Start a Daily Foot Care Routine: New Year appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Treat your feet to something special each day, inspired by the classic holiday tune.

By Christmas, your feet will feel festive and refreshed!

Sorry we can’t help you with those Christmas preparations but at least your feet will be ready!

Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree – Peppermint & Pear Foot Soak

Start your foot care journey with a luxurious “pear tree” inspired soak. Use warm water with Epsom salts and a few drops of peppermint oil for a refreshing treat. Add a hint of pear-scented oil or soap for a festive touch. Relax and let the stress melt away! Remember, comfortable, well-fitted shoes make a huge difference in preventing soreness, especially on those Christmas shopping trips.

Day 2: Two Turtle Doves – Double Treat

For your “two turtle doves” treatment, apply a rich foot cream like CCS Foot Care Cream and lock it in by wearing cozy socks (or bamboo socks) to help the moisture absorb deeply, especially overnight.

It’s also a great excuse for some “me” time—curl up with a festive book and enjoy a sneaky hot chocolate (don’t forget the marshmallows)!

Day 3: Three French Hens – French Lavender Foot Massage

Pamper your feet with a French-inspired lavender oil massage. Warm a little lavender-scented lotion or oil, then gently massage it into your feet, focusing on sore spots. Treat yourself to reflexology with Maria, a perfect way to unwind. Gift vouchers for reflexology are available at Medipod reception.

Day 4: Four Calling Birds – Perfectly Preened Feet

Keep your “calling bird” feet neat and tidy by trimming and shaping your toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails. Book a standard appointment to have your nails, hard skin, and pesky corns expertly removed. Check availability through our website and get those feet ready to dance the night away!

Day 5: Five Golden Rings – Hydrating Foot Mask

Time for a golden treatment! Indulge your feet with a hydrating Emtrix foot mask with tea tree oil and Shea Butter.

Let the mask work its magic for 20 minutes while you enjoy mulled wine and a mince pie. Your feet will be soft and ready to shop.

Day 6: Six Geese a-Laying – Soothing Stretches

Give your feet a break from holiday errands with gentle stretches like ankle circles, toe curls, and calf raises.

These simple exercises help ease tension, improve circulation, and keep your feet feeling flexible.

Day 7: Seven Swans a-Swimming – Bamboo Sock Day

Slip into soft, bamboo socks today for “swan soft” comfort.

Bamboo socks are breathable, naturally odour-resistant, and perfect for keeping your feet warm without overheating. They also make great gifts!

Day 8: Eight Maids a-Milking – Milk & Honey Foot Soak

For silky-smooth feet, enjoy a “milk and honey” foot soak.

Add milk and honey to warm water for a soothing soak.

The lactic acid in milk gently exfoliates, while honey hydrates, leaving your feet feeling soft and refreshed.

Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing – Party-Ready Pedicure

Inspired by “nine ladies dancing,” give yourself a festive pedicure! Choose bright colours like red, green, or gold, or add some sparkle. Dr. Remedy nail varnishes are perfect for a healthy, festive look, with hydration treatments that revamp dry nails. Selected colours available at reception

Day 10: Ten Lords a-Leaping – Energizing Foot Massage

Use a tennis ball, foot roller, or even a bottle to gently roll under your feet, focusing on the arches and heels.

This technique relieves tension, especially after a busy day of Christmas preparations.

Day 11: Eleven Pipers Piping – “Snow Day” Foot Care Kit

Create a mini “Snow Day” foot care kit with bamboo socks, travel-sized foot cream and toe warmers. This kit is perfect for a cozy winter night or a thoughtful gift for someone who could use some foot care.
For those of you that suffer from cold feet due to poor circulation try the Gehwol rich red cream. Massage in and let the cream gently warm and moisturise your feet.

Day 12: Twelve Drummers Drumming – Christmas Eve Foot Spa & Movie Night

End your foot care challenge with a spa night. Start with a relaxing soak, followed by a moisturizing massage, and finish by slipping on your bamboo socks. Prop up your feet, grab a cozy blanket, and enjoy a holiday movie to unwind before Christmas Eve.

I hope you have enjoyed the 12 Days of Christmas Footcare Challenge! From all of us at Medipod Clinics would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas, filled with peace, love and laughter.

We thank you for your continuing support and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Just remember we have some limited cover over the festive period so that we can continue your care. Please contact us by phone/email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Merry Christmas 🙂

Thank you for reading this months blog, 12 Days Of Christmas Footcare Challenge For 2024! .

Stay safe,
Faye, Natalie, Zoe, Mark, Maria, Laura and Julia

http://medipodclinics.com/

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What’s the best food for healthy feet? What foods should you avoid if you want to reduce your risk for foot pain and injury. What kind of food makes inflammation and pain better or worse?

There has been a lot of research about diet and inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a risk element for several chronic ailments. It is a common cause of foot pain related to different types of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis. It can also contribute to heel pain such as plantar fasciitis.

Foods that reduce inflammation and pain, promoting healthy feet

Vitamin C

Many foot problems, including tendinitis and plantar fasciitis, develop because of inflammation. Fortunately, Vitamin C can help fight that inflammation. Foods rich in Vitamin C include oranges, kiwis, strawberries, tomatoes, kale and spinach. In fact spinach offers double or triple-duty for your foot health. It is a foot-superfood!)

Calcium and Vitamin D

Your feet are made up of 26 bones, so it is important to eat foods rich in calcium to help prevent osteoporosis which is often associated with an elevated risk of fractures. In fact, a stress fracture of the foot can be one of the first signs of osteoporosis.

For the body to absorb calcium, it is important to have sufficient levels of vitamin D. Calcium rich foods include dairy products like milk or cheese, leafy greens such as broccoli and spinach, salmon and sardines. Sometimes it is advisable to take daily supplements of vitamin D to meet your daily requirements. Regular exercise can also be very helpful.

Vitamin B

As our diabetic patients know, neuropathy takes a toll on your foot health. Neuropathy makes your feet feel numb and, in some cases, it can cause tingling of the feet or burning foot pain.

Although it is hard to reverse the condition, Vitamin B can help support your nervous system. In fact, adding vitamin B to your diet can sometimes improve your neuropathy symptoms. Foods rich in Vitamin B are tuna, cottage cheese, salmon, eggs, and sardines.

However, there are certain food types which are best avoided if you suffer from inflammation. These include:

• Refined grains, trans fats, and sugar found in junk foods and baked goods;
• The saturated fat found in red meat;
• The omega-6 fats are found in many vegetable oils, such as soybean, sunflower, and corn oils.

When it comes to your improving the health of your feet, nutrition is extremely important. Fuelling your body with the right foods builds a good foundation for healthy bones and muscles, encourages circulation, and limits inflammation and pain.

For more information about nutrition and your feet in Diabetes, visit www.diabetes.org.uk.

Podiatrists are specialists when it comes to your foot health. So if you are experiencing any discomfort in your feet, we are more than happy to help.

For more information about our range of treatments, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot health issues you may have.

Thank you for reading – 2024 – New Year, New Feet – Nutrition for your Feet.

Faye, Natalie, Lisa, Maria, Zoe, Claire and Julia

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post 2024 – New Year, New Feet – Nutrition for your Feet appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

1. How many feet does a slug have?
2. What is another term for a verruca?
3. What is the common term for a Onychocryptosis?
4. How many reindeer hooves power Santas Sleigh and can you name them?
5. How many bones do you have in your feet?
6. What is the average distance a person will walk in their lifetime?
7. What snack do toes enjoy eating?
8. Where would you find a dancing snowman?
9. If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do elves get?
10. Why do feet smell?

Answers – Festive Foot Quiz

1. A slug has a single muscular foot
2. Verruca is another term for warts. Warts are small, rough growths that appear on the skin, typically on the hands or feet. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be contagious. Here at Medipod Clinics we have several treatments for verruci – see our website for details.
3. An onychocryptosis is a common term used to describe an ingrown toenail. This occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and swelling. It is a common condition that can be caused by cutting nails too short and down the sides, tight shoes, or trauma to the toe. If you have an ingrown toenail, it is best to see a podiatrist as early as possible.
4. There are traditionally 8 reindeers: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen but nine if you include Rudolph therefore there are 36 hooves!
5. There are 52 bones in your feet. (26 bones in each foot)
6. Every day, the average person walks between 8,000 and 10,000 steps. In an average lifespan, this equates to nearly 115,000 miles – that’s more than four trips around the world!
7. Dori-toes!
8. At a Snowball!
9. Mistle-toes!
   Athlete foot commonly causes itching between the toes. Treatments depend on what type of athlete’s foot you have. Over-the-counter remedies are always a good starting point. But if your symptoms. Persist for longer than 2 weeks, you need to see a podiatrist for advice.
10. You have125,000 sweat glands. While they do help keep you cool, they can also be the cause of smelly feet because those sweat glands create fluids. However, you may be surprised to learn that it’s not actually the fluids that make your feet smell. Loads of different bacteria can create their homes on warm, sweaty feet. where they survive on the dead skin cells and oils on the feet. Bacteria create acids as a result and these acids have a foul odour.

If you don’t want your feet to stink, clean your feet daily, wear clean socks with your shoes and avoid the accumulation of bacteria. You could also try dabbing cotton wool dipped in surgical sprit between your toes to reduce the moisture and bacteria. Your podiatrist will be able to advise you.

All of us at Medipod Clinics would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas, filled with peace, love and laughter.

We thank you for your continuing support and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Just remember we have emergency cover over the festive period so any problems and we will be happy to help. Please contact us by phone/email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Thank you for reading – Festive Foot Quiz.

Faye, Natalie, Lisa, Maria, Zoe, Claire and Julia

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Festive Foot Quiz appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Types of heels

Heels are certainly a fashion statement. You look taller and sexier. Heels change the way you walk by exaggerating the chest, the hips, and the curvature in your spine, thus increasing the pelvic tilt. This is what makes then attractive and desirable, however wearing heels comes with some issues too. They structurally shorten your calf muscles which puts more pressure on the ball of your foot even when you take them off.

Apparently, there are more than 30 different types of heels for women ranging from low to high, straight to curved. Each serves a different purpose and distributes body weight differently across.

Flats (1 inch or less)

They are comfortable, fashionable, and easier on the feet. People like them for many occasions however, most of them do not offer any arch support. The foot has to work harder to keep the shoe on, which leads to toe deformities such as hammer toes.

Kitten heels (1.5 to 2 inches)

They are easier to walk in than high heels and make your legs look longer and slimmer. However, they can contribute to corns and calluses, as well as back pain.

High heels (2.5 to 4 inches)

They strengthen the calf muscles and also make the legs appear longer, however; they can be painful to wear. They can cause many foot problems such as corns, calluses, ingrowing toenails, nerve irritation, heel pain, ankle sprains, tendinitis, hammer toe and bunions.

Extreme (over 4 inches)

They build a good pair of calf muscles and make the legs appear longer. They also tend to make the backside more noticeable! But very high heels put huge pressure on the ball of your feet (7 times your body weight) and compress the toes. They are very difficult to walk in and certainly cause a myriad of foot problems and back pain.

Constantly wearing high party heels results in painful damage to your feet. In most case this damage is irreversible. Is it worth it?

The decision is all yours!

What type of Party Heels are more comfortable?

The most comfortable heel height is lower than 3 inches, good arch support, and a cushioned sole. Ideally you should look for a shoe with a heel that is wide and chunky instead of narrow like a stiletto. Wearing a chunky heel, a wedge or a platform shoe offers more stability and transfers the weight a cross a greater area. That way you feel more balanced, which helps with overall comfort.

They say, “give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world”! I totally agree! The right shoes can take you anywhere so make sure they are comfortable! As a podiatrist, I would allow wearing heels only on special occasions. Whether you have Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin, the truth is that you only have a one pair of feet, but you can buy many pair of shoes!

If you need advice on footwear or have a particular issue with your feet, our staff at Medipod Clinics can help you. Our experienced podiatrists will treat your feet with the respect and attention they deserve. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We also offer a very wide range of treatments such as verruca treatments, ingrown toenail management, fungal infection treatment, heel pain management, diabetic footcare and sports injuries management. I can assure you that we will do our best to exceed your expectations. Our staff will treat your feet with the respect and attention they deserve. For more information and to get in touch, please contact us on 01455 246100. You are also, welcome to visit us at 45 Rugby Rd, Hinckley, LE10 0QA. We will be delighted to see you!

Thank you for reading – Party Heels, What’s The Damage?

Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Party Heels, What’s The Damage? appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Looking after your feet is important. Feet are your body’s foundation, so keeping them healthy is vital to your overall health. Years of wear and tear can be hard on your feet and Santa’s feet are no exception.

Christmas is about helping others, giving selflessly and being thankful for what you have! So let’s unfold Santa’s footcare journey!

Footwear Advice

Santa came to the clinic with oversized boots! I just could not believe it! Too much movement of your foot in the shoes creates unnecessary friction and pressure that leads to blisters, corns, and calluses. In addition, your natural stride gets disrupted as you try to keep the shoe in place. This contributes to pain at the back of your heel (Achilles tendinitis) or pain at the ball of your feet (metatarsalgia).
Santa was advised to have his feet measured in terms of length and width, and he was given a couple of different shoe catalogues to help him find some new boots.

Fungal infections

Apparently, Santa has been trying to get rid of his fungal nail infection for many years! He has tried numerous over the counter nail paints but nothing has worked.

There are three types of fungus commonly found on the skin: mould, yeast, and tinea unguium. Healthy skin forms a barrier that protects the body from infection. If the skin gets damaged or unhealthy, issues arise. The warm and moist environment in your shoes and socks allows the fungus to grow. Skin and nails contain keratin, which is exactly what foot fungus needs for growth. Fungal skin is usually flaky and will often peel, crack, itch or burn. The skin may also be dry and red and is often mistaken for extremely dry skin. People tend to apply moisturising cream without much success. If the toenails are infected, they are often yellow, thickened, and brittle and may be lifting from the nail bed.

Looking at the extent of the fungal infection, it was evident that too much nail was involved. If more that 70% of the surface of the nail is affected, it is unlikely that anything over the counter will be effective. So, I had to write to his GP in North Pole to request some oral antifungals to tackle this nasty fungus! If that was not enough, the skin on his feet was also affected.

Therefore, a combination of antifungal agents (creams and sprays) was issued and advised to use for minimum 3 months. Santa’s New Year Resolution is to get rid of his fungus from his feet! Needless to say, I booked him in after Christmas for a review!

Foot Supports

It was lovely to see that Santa has been wearing custom-made foot supports for his flat feet! He told me that he has had them for over 10 years, and it was time to upgrade them. Therefore, we organised another appointment for him for a biomechanical assessment with casting so that we can issue a brand new pair of orthoses for him in time for Christmas.

A biomechanical assessment is a thorough examination of the way you walk including gait analysis. This involves taking multiple measurements from your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. We look at muscle strength, range, and quality of movement as well as any structural abnormalities. Then, a template of your feet is taken out of plaster of Paris, and a prescription is prepared according to the type of shoes you are wearing and your specific requirements.

At the end, Santa was delighted with the treatment he received. He felt like he was walking on air!

Ho Ho Ho!

If you think you can relate to any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact us.

At Medipod Clinics we take great care of your feet. Our experienced staff will treat your feet with the respect and attention they deserve. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We also offer a very wide range of treatments such as verruca treatments, ingrown toenail management, fungal infection treatment, heel pain management, diabetic footcare and sports injuries management. I can assure you that we will do our best to exceed your expectations. Our staff will treat your feet with the respect and attention they deserve. For more information and to get in touch, please contact us on 01455 246100. You are also, welcome to visit us at 45 Rugby Rd, Hinckley, LE10 0QA. We will be delighted to see you!

Thank you for reading – Santa Claus is coming to…Medipod!

Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Santa Claus is coming to…Medipod! appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

So, as well as vowing to watch less television or keep on top of the dishes this New Year, make sure you put the comfort and wellbeing of your feet on your list of resolutions too.

We’ve put together a few ways that you can start giving your feet the star treatment in 2022!

Pamper and Moisturise

Who doesn’t love to feel pampered now and again? And our feet are not to be missed when it comes to soaking our troubles away.

For baby-soft feet, exfoliate using a scrub. Most of us have dry and cracked feet because we don’t take care of them. Dead skin can be uncomfortable, but regular exfoliation will get rid of the dead skin and result in softer and smoother feet.

Moisturising is also the key to maintaining silky-smooth feet. Just before bed, apply a moisturising cream (preferably at least 10% urea based) or body butter, and then pull on a pair of socks. You’ll wake up with noticeably softer feet.

Need some moisturiser recommendations? Check out our range of creams that your feet will thank you for.

Buy a New Comfortable Pair of Shoes

It’s time to put aside that old, worn pair of shoes you’re attached to because they are ‘comfortable’. The new year is about starting afresh, so now’s the time to invest in a new pair that are comfortable, but also supportive.

Comfortable doesn’t have to mean old-fashioned! There are plenty of shoes out there that are both attractive, fashionable, comfortable, and supportive.

We can advise on a range of wider fit shoes that are extra roomy, comfy and suitable for a range of occasions in an array of styles – just ask one of our podiatrist for further details.

Don’t Ignore Foot Problems

Medical professionals can sometimes describe our feet as ‘windows’ as they can often indicate a health problem elsewhere in the body.

It’s for this important reason that your final New Year’s resolution for your feet should be that you get any unusual foot problems checked out by a GP or your podiatrist as soon as possible, as it could be an indication of something bigger.

Some common symptoms to be aware of include: a swollen toe, which could indicate gout or infection; your nails turning club-shaped, which could point to a lung condition; sore toe joints, which could signal rheumatoid arthritis as well as ulcers and numbness which could be a sign of diabetes.

Start Doing Foot Exercises and Stretches

A lot of people make New Year’s resolutions to exercise more, but let’s not forget about exercising our feet! Doing some foot exercises and stretching out our lower muscles from time-to-time is a great way to encourage good blood flow and can help alleviate any pains and discomfort.

We recommend some easy exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home, minimum 3 times a week, such as heel raises, and calf stretches.

At Medipod Clinics we are very experienced when it comes to managing foot problems. As well as keeping up to date with the latest research and new treatments, we always try to give you the information and tools you need to keep your feet healthy.

From treating your feet with new, well-fitting footwear to buying yourself a soothing foot cream, Medipod stock a range of feel-good foot products that are sure to kick-start your new year in the right direction.

If you are experiencing any discomfort in your feet, we are more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We offer treatments for nails, hard skin, ingrown toenails, verrucas, heel pain, tendinitis, and advice for people with Diabetes. With our expertise and experience, you will have full peace of mind when it comes to your foot health.

For more information about our range of treatments, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot health issues you may have.

Thank you for reading,
Faye Vogiatzoglou

http://medipodclinics.com/

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