Newport Clinic
Floor 2 ( Room/Office No 7 ) Newport Market NP20 1DD
Tel: 075636 56666
OUT OF HOURS - 0800 074 3040 COLLECTIONS - 0800 074 3050 HOME VISITS - 029 2009 0089
Appointments: Monday - Friday 8.30 am - 7pm Saturday 8:30 am - 2 pm Sunday by request only
Care you can rely on
40 years of
5 STAR TREATMENTS
Health Tips
Public Shared Spaces -
Baths, Swimming Pools & Gyms
Public shower rooms, locker rooms, school changing rooms and other indoor places where feet are exposed are not to be avoided, as some would say.
However wearing non slip shower shoes or flip flops will keep the skin of your feet out of contact with the shower or locker room floor.
When washing/bathing and use a mildly anti bacterial soap of neutral ph value when washing your feet.
If you follow all of the above points you will have good healthy toenails and feet and will not be open to fungal attack.
As a safety measure, bathe your feet when you return home.
Use the correct shoesfor the correct purpose.
Sports shoes for sports, work shoes for work, shoes with a safety toecap when needed.
Trauma to your toenail can be an unpleasant experience and can, in some severe cases, lead to you loosing your toenail or open to a fungal attack.
It takes about 1 year to replace a big toenail at normal growth rate.
Benefits of a foot and toe massage
increases the blood circulation around your toes.
They are the furthest away from your heart and a little massage about once a week will go a long way to good toenail health.
Use a mildly antiseptic foot cream or a natural Aloe Vera foot cream, and gently work it into the skin. Get your partner to help you with this one or your mum or dad.
A barefoot walk along the sea shore.
This gives your feet and toes a nice gentle massage, defoliate, and sea water bath. The sand acts as a mild abrasive to remove any dead skin, and the sea water is a natural deodorant. It lets your feet and toenails breathe and leads to healthy toenails all around.
Or even experience the delights of a
Fish Pedicure Avoid hot sand and avoid sea weed as one species can encourage the growth of a Verruca
Good fitting footwear
For healthy feet and healthy toenails the correct fitting socks & shoes is important.
healthy footwear is essential, and especially for young children as their feet and nails are still in the stages of development.
Wool socks are probably the best natural fiber to have next to your skin, and they should be loose fitting and not tight around the leg as it can restrict blood circulation to the feet and toes.
A clean pair of socks every day and after every foot bathe.
Good shoes are so important, tight fitting shoes are bad for your feet and will promote all kinds of problems, especially for children.
So a good quality good fitting shoe is strongly recommended. You are wearing them for most of the day so make it a comfortable experience and buy good quality, good fitting shoes.
Sandals
Come in various materials, so use only good quality, preferably a nice leather if you can.
Always think 'Quality' when it comes to purchasing foot wear, it is worth it in the end.
Sports shoes
Use open sandals instead of trainers or shoes when you can, get your toes out into the light and fresh air as often as you can.
Some sports shoes can build up a large amount of heat within the shoe making it easier for some form of fungal attack.
If you must wear sports shoes then make sure they are of good quality and have good internal ventilation.
Choose athletic shoes specifically for your foot type
People whose feet pronate or who have low arches should choose shoes that provide support in both the front of the shoe and under the arch. The heel and heel counter (back of the shoe) should be very stable. Those with a stiffer foot or high arches should choose shoes with more cushion and a softer platform. Use sport-specific shoes. Cross training shoes are an overall good choice; however, it is best to use shoes designed for the sport.
Wash your feet often
Don’t go to bed without washing your feet. If you leave dirt on the skin’s surface, it can become irritated and infected. Wash your feet every evening with soap and water.
Dry your feet well
Dry your feet thoroughly after washing them, especially between the toes which is where germs such as Athlete's foot can easily breed. Then, apply a moisturising foot cream (not body lotion).
Change your socks often to avoid foot odour
Change your socks daily. Read advice from the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists on buying socks.
Plantar Fasciitis
The Plantar Fascia (PF) is a thick fibrous “elastic” band that extends from the front of the heel bone, wrapping around the ball of the foot, and attaching to the end of the toes. It acts like a suspension system for the foot and helps to distribute loads along the foot. Plantar fasciitis happens when the band becomes too stressed and an inflammation occurs near the heel/arch area.
How Soft Soles Podiatry can help you:
Analysis: Causes can include tight calves, excessive foot pronation, poor footwear fit and function.
Custom Insoles: These will help relax, support and guide the foot and work with the PF in loading, unloading and timing of the foots movement.
Footwear: Footwear plays a major role in prevention and cause. If the shoes are too long or too short the flex/rocker of the shoe and foot don't match, placing excessive strain on the planter fascia. If the shoes are too hard or too soft this can also increase the degree of strain on the Plantar Fascia.
Numb Toes and Neuroma’s
A neuroma is an over compression of the nerves underneath the ball of the foot. It is common in sprinters, dancers and when running uphill where excessive force is directed to the forefoot causing collapse of the metatarsal arch and irritation of the nerve fibres between the toes. Neuroma’s are aggravated or even caused by footwear that is too narrow or too hard under the foot.
How Soft Soles Podiatry can help:
Analysis: We look at the pressure distribution behind the toes, especially the 3rd and 4th toe, to identify 'hot spots'.
Custom Insoles: Will help to evenly distribute pressure under the underside of the foot.
Footwear: If shoes are too small or too narrow and or the cushioning too hard, this will lead to numb toes and eventually neuroma’s. The correct fit profile is essential to protect the foot without compressing and bunching the toes together.
Bunions
Bunions are a boney lump that forms around the side of the big toe joint often referred to as a Hallux Valgus. They are formed by a combination of biomechanical behavior (excessive forefoot roll), genetics and/or ill fitting footwear.
How Soft Soles Podiatry can help you:
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Analysis: We can see how the foot functions and the possible cause of the bunion from a biomechanical perspective and thus reduce the risk that footwear and sports will make things worse.
Custom Insoles: Will help to stabilize and support the foot, reducing pronation and improving the foots position within the shoe which in turn reduces pressure on the bunion.
Footwear: One of biggest contributors to bunions. Shoes that are too tight in the toe area will restrict normal toe alignment and flexion. The correct volume, shape, profile and function is key.
