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  • Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

    Hi ..you guys I am either in a massive hormonal state or the moon needs to come back ..whatever humor me because hopefully all these tangents will not last much longer ....

    I never visit the "health section" of this board intentionally ..the one time I did it was to rant about Yeast and I was told in no uncertian terms "just because you are a nurse...blah blah blah.." and it is true ...I am a nurse and I should not be giving health advice on this board..so I stay the helll away from it and stick with the things I adore that can improve health ...like cooking and attitude and humor....

    however ...feet are a bone of content to me ... and people you need to take care of your feet!!! I am astounded at how many people do not give their feet a second thought until a toe is so infected they need to be seen in an urgent care situation ...

    Here is an example of how reality about feet hit me..I take great care of mine because they are my livelyhood and I can not be a nurse or cook from a scooter that is for sure ..so my feet get a priority ..I check them all the time and go for a pedicure once in a while ..but then I am short and thin enough to reach them easily now .....so I never gave it a thought...not for me anyway....but my poor husband

    a few months ago my husband was soaking in the tub and was talking to him..I looked at his feet and was horrified!!! OMG ...his toenails were all whacked up he had ingrowing nails and they were all cracked .....it completely freaked me out ..

    He has a horrible lower back, his feet are numb because of nerve damage and is very tall so he can not reach his feet.... this man for ages had just been lobbing away when they bugged him and never thought to ask for help!!!

    it has taken me three months of attentive foot care for him (blech not my favorite thing mind you) ..to get them back to where they should be...


    We have diabetics here, we have people with other problems like chronic back issues ect and we have people who have too much weight on them to bend to reach their toes....this is a fact ....

    if you do not take care of those little didgets at the end of your legs you could loose them ...or before you lost them be on long and heavy doses of antibiotics to try to save the toes before they have to come off...

    This is gross, sad ..but painfully true ..I see it every single day at work ...bad bad foot problems...and most of them related to the inablity of the person to reach or see them at all ..so they sit there literally wilting due to neglect

    some health care insurance covers foot care and if it does ask your doctor about a referral ...

    pedicures are great but you have to be careful and always have your own tools especially if you have decreased sensation in your feet you could get poked and not know it then end up with a serious infection

    this is a great list from the American Diabetes association on foot care
    here is the link
    http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/foot-care.jsp

    Please take care of those feet they keep you mobile and are a very important health issue
    Foot Care

    Inspect your feet every day, and seek care early if you do get a foot injury. Make sure your health care provider checks your feet at least once a year - more often if you have foot problems. Your health care provider should also give you a list and explain the do's and don'ts of foot care. Most people can prevent any serious foot problem by following some simple steps. So let's begin taking care of your feet today.

    Prevention



    Your health care provider should perform a complete foot exam at least annually - more often if you have foot problems.

    Remember to take off your socks and shoes while you wait for your physical examination.

    Call or see your health care provider if you have cuts or breaks in the skin, or have an ingrown nail. Also, tell your health care provider if your foot changes color, shape, or just feels different (for example, becomes less sensitive or hurts).

    If you have corns or calluses, your health care provider can trim them for you. Your health care provider can also trim your toenails if you cannot do so safely.

    Because people with diabetes are more prone to foot problems, a foot care specialist may be on your health care team.


    Caring for Your Feet



    There are many things you can do to keep your feet healthy.
    Take care of your diabetes. (I will add loose weight and take care of your back as well) Work with your health care team to keep your blood glucose in your target range.

    Check your feet every day. Look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling, and blisters. If you cannot see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help.

    Be more active. Plan your physical activity program with your health team.

    Ask your doctor about Medicare coverage for special shoes. (and as I said for foot care referrals)

    Wash your feet every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.

    Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.

    If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them when needed. Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file.

    Wear shoes and socks at all times. Never walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet. Check inside your shoes before wearing them. Make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.

    Protect your feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Don't put your feet into hot water. Test water before putting your feet in it just as you would before bathing a baby. Never use hot water bottles, heating pads, or electric blankets. You can burn your feet without realizing it.

    Keep the blood flowing to your feet. Put your feet up when sitting. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, two (2) or three (3) times a day. Don't cross your legs for long periods of time. Don't smoke.

    Get started now. Begin taking good care of your feet today. Set a time every day to check your feet.

    my husband still has great big funny looking feet but they are smooth and healthy now and even though it is not something I love to do ...I do love him

  • #2
    Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

    Thanks for this link! Gout has ravaged my dad's feet, he doesn't have arches anymore; they're completely flat and he has no sensitivity so they're like cement blocks at the end of his legs. It's amazing to find out how common of a problem this is.
    Female, 21, 5'6"
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    • #3
      Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

      my dad lost a toe to gout and has painful neuropathy it is horrible ...he says he feels like bees are constantly stinging his feet ...

      feet are so important they get us where we are going ...

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      • #4
        Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

        My hubby is always talking about htis as well...apparently growing up his grandfather used to always be on them about it...He was a world war II vet, and he said the most important advice he ever got was to look after his feet. You only have one pair..and they can go downhill very fast. He said his sargaent used to harp at them about it..because they were in wet trenches all the time, he told them the most important thing was to dry out your boots and socks as soon as you could. I think it was very wise advice.

        Interesting side note..My husbands mother lost her foot to diabetes, then leg up to her knee, then her entire leg from gangrene (sp?) that she let go too far before she did anything about it.
        Jen, 39, F
        In maintenance



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        • #5
          Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

          I have seen the grossest feet on earth I am a licenced Pedicurist and OMG what some people have wrong with their feet is disgusting. Yeast, Bacteria, II ahve see Ingrown toes, Pustuals, Warts, You name it I have seen it. If you don't look after them they become gross. And you do have to let your feet breath as weel Air on the foot is very important especially if you have yeastie and bacteria issues. if you have stinky foot Problems Get a foot bath and put a capful of Dettol and a capeful of Eucalyptus oil not only does this sooth the feet but it also kills nastie foot fungus which is disgusting might I add.

          Sarah
          sigpic
          Total weight lost 126 LBS
          (HW 302) SW 285
          200lbs 09-03-03
          197lbs 09-03-09
          194lbs 09-04-16
          191lbs 09-04-19
          189lbs 09-05-04 (only 4 lbs to go to 1st goal WHOOT)
          176lbs 09-08-27 (11 lbs to 165)

          I CAN'T do It for ANYONE but MYSELF!

          BELIEVEinYOURSELFandANYTHINGisPOSSIBLE
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          • #6
            Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

            I have had ingrowing toenails, and they are the most painful things I have had to put up with.
            sigpic260/215/180 Male - 36 y/o

            It never ceases to amaze me of how easy and how effective this ***diet*** is!!




            I have since re-gained a bit of weight, but that is soon to be coming off again!

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            • #7
              Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

              I always felt for the victim whose toenail I had to pull. Giving a distal block in a toe is traumatizing. I always told them to look away while i was cutting it out.

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              • #8
                Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

                Heidi you are so right!! My DH thought he had athlete's foot that progressively got worse over a week's time. He went to the doctor who sent him to a specialist and right away said it was an infection. He started him on i.v. antibiotics every 6 hours at home (thank goodness I am in nursing school) on top of soaking it in epsom salt. The doctor was real concerned and said if they don't treat it aggresively he could get gangrene. We went back to the doctor every other day for a week when the docotr said he wasn't pleased with how the antibiotics were working so he had to go into surgery and lost some tissue, but fortunately no muscle. When the surgery was done they did another culture and it came back a different virus then the thought. Turns out he had MERSA (forget what each letter means) which the doctor said they see more in older people in nursing homes (he's only 43). We racked our brains were he could have picked it up because he's very meticulous about his feet, but we came up with maybe if he walked with no shoes or socks on the bathroom floor at our local gym. After the operaation the docotr told us to stop the i.v. treatment and put him on an oral antibiotic. Went to pick up this new fancy fang-dangled medicine and 20 pills =$1300.00 Thank goodness for insurance - we paid $90 (which I freaked out about at first until I saw the actual cost. But don't get me started on drug costs. Anyhoo, we go back today ( 2 weeks in between last visit) and hopefully he gets the ok to go back to work(it's been a month). He still limps and still has pain. TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET!!! So that's my story.
                s176/c169/g140 F/36/5'6" began Mon.Dec.10, 2007

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                • #9
                  Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

                  Thank you so much for posting that ..I hate to talk about my work but you know in urgent care on the weekends that is what I see toooo much of ....the bacteria that grows in shoes is some of the worst on the planet ...so if you already have cracks in your feet you are just opening the door and saying "come on in and set up house" it is awful and with bacteria becoming more and more resistant (yes it is true not just media hype) we see people for "IV Sagas" we call them! ...younger and younger people ..

                  Sarah I bet you see some gross stuff!!!! I do not envy your job!!! but bless you for doing it I adore my pedicurist ...because she keeps my feet looking and feeling so wonderful so hugs and kisses to you!!!! OOOOXXXX

                  this is sooooo important and having my own husbands feet looks so crappy was mortifying ..that is the last time I promise you I am on those things!!!

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                  • #10
                    Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

                    Rich I feel so bad about your toenails my son deals with it as well I have tried to help him fix them but he is in his early 20's so :P

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                    • #11
                      Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

                      And whatever ever you do, if you are in the habit of biting your toenails, STOP, its a very nasty habit!!


                      5'4"
                      45 yrs (F) a.k.a. "Butterbean"
                      Start date 5/18/2003
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                      • #12
                        Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

                        And whatever ever you do, if you are in the habit of biting your toenails, STOP, its a very nasty habit!!
                        I think I'm gonna

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                        • #13
                          Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

                          Originally posted by MotherOfGizmo
                          And whatever ever you do, if you are in the habit of biting your toenails, STOP, its a very nasty habit!!
                          are they induction friendly do you know?
                          Jen, 39, F
                          In maintenance



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                          • #14
                            Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

                            Ah yes I think they are, aren't finger/toenails made from protein?


                            5'4"
                            45 yrs (F) a.k.a. "Butterbean"
                            Start date 5/18/2003
                            197/163.5/130

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                            • #15
                              Re: Take Care Of Your Feet!!!!!

                              Oh ya I have seen OOZING cracking bleeding ulcerated feet it's crazy I have sent a lot of People to the Hospital there is nothing I can do and they have to get it looked after. I always wear gloves cause it's sooo easy to transfer bacteria from feet and also another Horrible one is Plantars Wart How Bad so ALWAYS ALWYAS wear wetsokes or thongs to the pool or right after you are done rub your feet with Antibacterial, Antifungal Agent you never know what you ahve stepped in.

                              Sarah
                              sigpic
                              Total weight lost 126 LBS
                              (HW 302) SW 285
                              200lbs 09-03-03
                              197lbs 09-03-09
                              194lbs 09-04-16
                              191lbs 09-04-19
                              189lbs 09-05-04 (only 4 lbs to go to 1st goal WHOOT)
                              176lbs 09-08-27 (11 lbs to 165)

                              I CAN'T do It for ANYONE but MYSELF!

                              BELIEVEinYOURSELFandANYTHINGisPOSSIBLE
                              Link to PHOTOS: iyamamaschke.shutterfly.com

                              Comment

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