Nails Your Way

Senior Foot Care

At home maintenance is important for everyone's feet, but when it comes to older clients and foot care, good at home foot care is critical. Lack of proper regular maintenance-even as simple as callous removal and toenail clipping-can result in conditions that can only be helped by a physician or a podiatrist.

Foot problems are much more common in the elderly than in the general population. Bad feet do not develop overnight. Conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, corns, ingrown toenails, fungus, arthritis, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) can take years to develop. The following descriptions are common ailments that can cause problems for senior's feet.

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis resulting from the chronic wear of bones and joints, which naturally wear out because of a lifetime of supporting the weight of the body.

A bunion is characterized by a large accumulation of extra bone behind the big toe on the inside border of the foot.

A hammertoe results from the "bucking up" of the small joints of the toes. A thickening of these joints often results at the knuckles and can actually cause corns to form. As the top of the toe rubs against the top of the shoe, it irritates the side and stimulates the growth of a corn. Soaking the feet in warm water and Epsom salts is a very effective method of loosening up the joints and alleviating the discomfort. Lavender and grape-seed oil warm wax treatments are also very good at easing the pain associated with this condition.

Arterial disorders such as arteriosclerosis and diabetes often produce poor circulation-their first symptoms or signs in the feet. These diseases include varicose veins and swollen ankles, and can be an early indicator of other, more serious illnesses such as congestive heart failure, kidney or liver disease.

Ingrown toenails are due to a genetic tendency of the shape of the toenail. Often, ingrown toenails run in families. Ingrown toenails can become infected when the nail plate grows into the flesh of the toe and acts like a foreign body. Prevention is the best measure: avoid shoes with pointed toes and don't cut the toenails too short. If symptoms develop (1) Soak the feet in soapy, warm water or in Epsom salts daily. (2) Apply petroleum jelly to the corner of the nail and slip a very small amount of cotton underneath the corner to lift it up slightly.

As we age, oil-producing glands slow down production, causing skin to become thin and dry. The skin of the feet is particularly vulnerable to dryness. Not only does dry skin make the feet look older, it increases the chances of developing a foot infection. It also has less strength than moist skin, so it runs an increased risk of cracking. Keeping the feet supple requires regular care. Seniors should apply an oxygenated, Vitamin E & Aloe lotion to their feet everyday because it provides deep moisturization to the dry thinning skin.

Unlike skin, the nails thicken with age. This thickening condition can be due to a fungal infection, decreased circulation, or accumulated trauma to the nails. Thickened nails are unattractive and may cause shoe-fitting problems. Pain may result when the thickened nail presses against the top of the shoes. Seniors should have their toenails professionally maintained with a drill in order to remove some of the thickness and prevent further difficulties. If fungus is the cause of toenail thickening then a fungus medication should be applied daily and regular monthly visits to a therapeutic nail salon can ensure that senior foot conditions and ailments do not get worse.

Read Jeanne's Latest Monthly Article In Chapel Hill News & Views.

Nails Your Way
Jeanne Grace Curtis
5900 Orchard Road
Douglasville GA 30135-4726

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(All the way at the end of Orchard Road)

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770-949-3113