Caring for Your Feet as You Age
As adults become older, the desire to keep constant check of one’s health also grows. Many older adults often neglect proper foot care. Unfortunately, foot injury, neglect and disease are major factors contributing to mobility concerns in older adults. Caring for your feet as you age should be a top priority.
Healthy seniors should monitor foot health by regularly cleaning and examining the feet for any changes or irregularities. The use of mild soaps followed with lotion will help keep the skin from drying out, cracking, and itching. In addition, taking care to ensure that feet remain dry will help keep fungal infections at bay. Ensuring that the feet are kept warm will also increase circulation. Regardless of age, properly trimmed toenails can help prevent issues such as ingrown toenails and toe pain.
The Elderly and Their Feet
The maintenance of proper foot health is essential for the older adult. As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions, such as poor vision, may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away.
Common Conditions
Some of the most problematic conditions that affect the elderly population are:
- Neuropathy can reduce feeling in the feet, and can hide many life threatening medical conditions.
- Reduced flexibility prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
- Foot sores amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered.
Some common conditions the elderly may face are:
- Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
- Shoes that don’t fit properly
- Pressure sores
- Loss of circulation in legs & feet
- Edema & swelling of feet and ankles
To learn more about caring for your feet as you age or if you have any questions, please contact one of the best podiatrists in Novi. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.