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/

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As those long hot days of summer become a distant memory, we tend to put our boots on and neglect our feet. Out of sight out of mind! Winter is a time when we should be much more proactive in our daily footcare routine. It is also time to review our footwear to ensure we protect our feet from those winter chills.
This month we are talking about how you can get your feet ready for the cold, winter months in the UK.

It is important to wear winter shoes and boots to protect your feet against the weather. Make sure your boots fit properly as feet can change from year to year. Feet tend to get wider as you get older. Gaining weight can also cause your feet to get bigger. If your boots or shoes don’t fit correctly and are too tight the constant friction can cause painful corns and calluses. It is worth investing in a good and supportive pair of boots to minimise common foot issues.

If you’re suffering from painful foot conditions already, cold winter weather can exacerbate them. Patients with poor blood circulation, diabetes and neuropathy are especially prone to winter foot problems. This is because lower winter temperatures cause the body to slow blood circulation to the hands and feet as it attempts to preserve the body’s core temperature.

Chilblains

Chilblains are common as the temperature drops. Chilblains affect the capillaries in the skin, most often in the hands or feet. They can be red and itchy and cause discomfort and often blisters. They normally heal themselves, but sometimes they can break down and become infected. There are creams available that can relieve these symptoms.

If you are prone to chilblains try to keep your feet warm and dry, try wearing cotton, wool, or bamboo socks rather than synthetic materials. If your feet do get cold then try and warm them slowly, never quickly! Avoid hot water bottles and electrical blankets. Speak to your podiatrist who can advise you on how to keep your feet warm.

Fungal Infections

If your feet get damp or sweaty during the day, then change your socks. This warm damp environment can be a breeding ground for fungal nail infections as well as athletes’ foot. Be aware that itching, soreness, or discoloured nails may be an indication that you have an infection.
When at home let your feet air as much as possible and make sure you dry thoroughly between your toes. There are many creams and sprays available which will help clear these infections, but it is always best to see a podiatrist.

Cracked Heels

To protect your feet from dry cracked heels caused by the drop in temperature it is important to moisturise regularly. We would recommend a urea-based cream. We have a selection of creams and sprays which are suitable so ask your podiatrist for advice.

Diabetics and those patients with poor circulation can be more at risk of developing problems resulting from dry skin. So, moisturise! moisturise! Prevention is better but it is recommended that you see your podiatrist if you have any changes in the condition of your feet.

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. 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 – Getting Your Feet Ready For Winter.

Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Getting Your Feet Ready For Winter appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Staying warm when it’s cold outside can be a challenge. As the weather gets colder, small blood vessels temporarily close up and you might see a change in the colour of your skin, which could look pale or blanched and waxy at first, before becoming bluish. This is because the oxygen in the blood has been used up by the tissues.

So, to help your feet stay warm this year, we have compiled some top tips to keep your feet healthy and ready for action when spring finally arrives.

Top 10 tips to keep your feet warm

1. Wear suitable footwear all year around. Waterproof boots can be very beneficial during the winter months, especially when dealing with rain and snow.
2. Wear socks and hosiery made of natural fibres. A combination of at least 70% wool with cotton works quite well if your feet are cold. Wear double socks if necessary.
3. If your socks get wet in your shoes, change them as soon as possible.
4. Make sure your boots/shoes fit properly; you should be able to wiggle your toes, but the boots should have a stiff heel counter in order to be supportive.
5. Regular exercise is very important as it improves circulation and opens up new ways for the blood to reach your toes.
6. Avoid extreme cold or hot situations. Hot water bottles, electrical blankets, fireplaces and radiators can damage seriously the small blood vessels in your hands and feet, especially if your extremities are freezing cold. The best way is to warm them up gradually so that the capillaries have time to respond to the sudden change of temperature.
7. Massage your feet and hands regularly to stimulate circulation.
8. Wearing long trousers, socks, leg warmers, or boots, gloves and hats can also help in preventing your extremities (hands, feet, ear lobes, nose tip) from getting cold.
9. Its better to have a warm bath instead of a foot soak, if your feet are cold.
10. Do not hesitate to seek medical advice or see a podiatrist if you need further information.

Podiatrists at Medipod Clinics are trained to assess extensively the circulation in the lower limb using Ultrasound equipment (Doppler) in order to listen to the pulses on your feet.

We understand how your foot works and we tailor a treatment plan to your needs. If you are already concerned about your feet, we are more than happy to help. With our expertise and experience, you will have full peace of mind when it comes to your foot health.

We also offer other podiatry services, counselling, audiology and physiotherapy services.

For more information about our podiatry services, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot related questions.

Thank you for reading.

Faye Vogiatzoglou
http://medipodclinics.com

The post Keeping your feet warm & healthy this winter appeared first on Medipod Clinics.