It’s easy to overlook your feet. They’re just there – way down at the bottom of the world – doing their thing. But sometimes they aren’t. What if something’s not looking or feeling quite right?
Every year millions of people experience foot problems and don’t know until it’s too late. That’s why it’s so important to check your feet regularly; this can help to avoid serious problems that could have been caught early on.
Keep reading to learn more about why checking your feet is an integral part of routine health screenings and how you can do it in a few simple steps. This blog also tells you about a great medical utility device that helps you easily reach your feet!
Who Would Benefit from a Foot Exam?
If you’re reading this, you already know that most people can benefit from self-exams. If you’re someone with diabetes or another medical condition that affects blood flow and circulation, you must check on yourself regularly.
Diabetic foot care is critical, as adequately monitoring the health and well-being of your feet and soles is a great step toward preventing a problem from developing further (becoming bigger and causing severe discomfort). Even if you feel in good health – you should still be checking! A self-exam can reveal that something may be wrong, and in some instances, it could save your life.
It’s a priority for athletes, gym-goers, and leisure runners to check up on themselves regularly because they’re more likely to sustain injuries and muscle strains caused by overuse or exertion.
How to Perform a Foot Exam
Checking your feet daily is the easiest way to notice if any issues are developing. You should check them every evening when you take off shoes and socks, and again in the morning before you put them on.
If you have trouble bending over to look at and/or reach your feet with your hands, try using a mirror to see them or ask someone else to look at your feet for you. If that makes you uncomfortable, or you find it a struggle, mobility aids like the Footwear Assist are great assistants! Footwear Assist has long straps and a soft-material sling that helps you make your lower limbs more accessible with little to no effort in a comfortable manner.
What to Look for:
Identify things like cuts, sores, red spots, swelling or fluid-filled blisters, ingrown toenails (where the edge of your nail grows into your skin), plantar warts (flesh-colored growths on the bottom of the feet), corns or calluses (places of rough skin caused by too much rubbing or pressure on the same spot), and athlete’s foot (a fungal infection).
If you find anything unusual, press gently on it with your thumb to see if it is tender or painful. If so, consult your doctor about the appropriate next step.
What should I do if I Notice a Problem?
If you notice an issue with your foot, you might want to visit a doctor or specialist immediately. If a laceration, blister, or bruise on your foot does not begin to mend after a few days, consult a doctor. or skin on your foot becomes red and painful — signs of a possible infection — it’s important to get help as soon as possible.
You should also call your provider if you notice a callus with dried blood inside of it; this can be the first sign of a wound under the callus. If you notice a foot infection that becomes black and smelly — signs you might have gangrene — you should call your healthcare provider immediately.
It’s vital to keep your feet clean and healthy, and we hope this guide has given you some helpful tips on examining and caring for your feet. Both individuals and healthcare professionals often underrate foot health, so advocate for yourself and your feet!
We hope it will be as normal as brushing your teeth because good foot hygiene is vital to maintaining your health and preventing problems. We make it easy with Footwear Assist – try it risk-free!
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