Feet are often the most neglected part of our bodies, yet they play a crucial role in our overall health and mobility. Despite their importance, many myths surrounding feet and foot care persist. In this blog, we will debunk ten common misconceptions about feet and foot care, helping you better understand how to care for your feet.
Myth 1: Corns have roots
This is a myth. Corns develop as a result of intermittent pressure or friction, and are a thickening of the outermost layer of the skin. They are more like a plug of hard skin which will always return if the pressure is not reduced or removed. Do not attempt to remove corns yourself, consult a podiatrist who can painlessly remove the corn and give you advice on the best way to stop it coming back.
Myth 2: Banana skin cures verrucas
Despite its popularity on the internet the actual scientific evidence to back up this claim is just not there. Verrucas are a type of wart, caused by a viral infection and destroyed by the body's own immune system, although this can take a long time. Podiatrists can help using a treatment called Swift which harnesses the power of microwave to stimulate the immune response.
Myth 3: Cutting a "V" in your nail will cure an ingrown toenail
Another myth! Ingrowing nails occur when a spike or portion of the nail plate, usually at the sides of the nail, pierces and grows into the flesh surrounding the nail. As the nail plate is a very rigid structure, cutting a V in the centre, will not relieve any pressure from the edge of the nail which is digging into the skin. Ingrowing toenails are best treated professionally by a podiatrist.
Myth 4: Vicks Vaporub will cure your fungal toenail
Untrue! There is very limited evidence around this topic but due to its price, promotion on social media and availability, many people have been influenced to try this, unsuccessfully. If you suspect you have a fungal nail infection it is best to get this diagnosed professionally, where all effective treatment options can be discussed.
Myth 5: Duct tape will cure your verruca
This myth probably stems from a single published paper which investigated the use of duct tape versus freezing in the treatment of plantar warts (verrucas). Although the results reported great success, the study itself was scientifically flawed which has resulted in this incorrect assumption. Subsequent studies retesting the effectiveness of duct tape have never shown it to be superior but unfortunately the myth lingers on!
Myth 6: White spots in nails are a sign of lack of calcium
Although they do contain trace amounts of calcium (less than 0.1%), nails are primarily made of a protein called keratin and sulphur. White spots are usually a sign of trauma to the nail plate, but if it can be scraped off the surface of the nail easily it is more likely to be a fungal or yeast infection. Extensive whiteness of the nail can be a sign of some underlying health issues so it should always be checked out by a healthcare professional.
Myth 7: Shoe sizes are standardized
If only this were true. The best way to think about shoe size is as a rough guide when selecting your footwear. To ensure the right fit, try the shoes on and check the toe space (when standing, as your feet will lengthen as you weight bear). As an additional tip, when trying shoes it is best to do it in the afternoon when feet are at their largest. Also remember feet change shape as we age, and generally get wider and longer, so your shoe size could well increase as you get older.
Myth 8: Badly fitting shoes can cause bunions
Patients often believe that their bunions appear in later life as a direct result of wearing winkle pickers, high heels or tight shoes in their formative years, but bunions are actually hereditary. If your parents or grandparents had bunions, you stand a higher chance of developing them too. Poor footwear choices can aggravate them but won't necessarily make the deformity worse. It has also been noted that some unshod races have developed bunions, clearly unrelated to shoes.
Myth 9: Flat feet need fixing
Having flat feet was often quoted as a reason for avoiding military service many years ago. We now know that not all flat feet are problematic. There are lots of people walking around with flat feet who never have any problems at all. Your best indicator of a problem with flat feet is foot pain - should you experience painful feet please see a podiatrist for help.
Myth 10: Athletes foot always itches.
Most people with athletes foot don't have itchy feet. In fact, most do not even know they have fungal skin infection on the foot (athletes foot) and it often comes as a surprise when their podiatrist informs them. Commonly it is passed off as dry, flaky skin which doesn't respond to emollients. Research tells us that around a third of the adult population have athletes foot, making it the most common foot infection in the world today.
Conclusion
Understanding the myths surrounding foot care is the first step toward maintaining healthy feet. By debunking these misconceptions, you can take better care of your feet and prevent potential issues in the future. Remember, healthy feet contribute to a healthy lifestyle!
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If you have any concerns about your foot health, or want advice about foot care please get in contact to make an appointment by calling 0161 427 4937 or email info@mrpodiatrist.co.uk