Podiatry Conditions Do you know when it's time to see a podiatrist? Did you know that approximately 1/3 of all nurses working in a hospital say they have foot problems, yet have never sought help? Of course, everyone has tired feet after working a long shift, but if you begin to notice swelling that does not go away and keeps coming back, or continuous pain in one area of the foot, it may be time to visit a podiatrist. With so many nurses complaining of foot problems later in life, it is obviously an issue with long hours and continuous walking. Recognizing Foot Problems  The foot has a sore area on the heel that feels as though a dull nail is in your foot. After sitting and returning to a standing position, pain can be excruciating. This is very typical of what most people refer to as a heel spur. An injury to the heel can create this, and it does not take a major injury, just a simple jump from a step stool can cause it. When an injury occurs in the foot, the body sends help in the form of calcium, to help heal. The excess calcium can cause an extra buildup of bone, which can protrude downward, and when you walk, the bone pushes on the foot, as if you are walking on a nail. When you elevate the foot, it gives it a break, but it also allows swelling to begin. This puts even more pressure on the bone spur, and when you stand, well, ouch! It's very painful. The options to treat a bone spur are not always simple. Surgery seems like an option to many, however, that injury that caused that spur in the first place was minor compared to surgery, so most likely it will happen again. The other options include taking a said for at least 1 month. Taking a 12 hour nsaid in the morning, and once again at night can relieve discomfort and swelling, with a possibility of helping to heal the area. Another option is a special insert in the shoe prescribed by a podiatrist to help relieve pressure points. The goal in all cases is to heal the area so that the calcium deposit diminishes.  Callouses can be very painful, make it difficult to walk, and can get infected. There are numerous over the counter medications to dissolve calluses, however, there are also some home remedies that work very well. One that works very well is apple cider vinegar. Soak affected area in the vinegar for 15 minutes, then use a pumice stone. Continue every day until dissolved. For stubborn calluses you can puncture a vitamin e capsule and put the liquid on the area, cover with a bandage and wait several hours before removing. The key is to soften the affected area until a pumice stone can safely remove the hard skin. Calluses can become infected if left untreated or treated improperly. The hard skin can crack, and leave openings for bacteria,
and if removed too much, raw skin can be susceptible to bacteria. If you have calluses or corns that cannot easily be removed, see a podiatrist, better safe than sorry. Related: Infographic : What is Travel Nurse? Diabetics need to be especially careful when it comes to care of the feet. Neuropathy can create problems, both in tingling sensations, and numbness. It's not uncommon for a diabetic to get a cut on the foot, and not notice due to lack of feeling. In most cases it is recommended that diabetics do skin checks on the bottom of feet every night. Foot problems can have an impact on your day and in fact your life. If it's painful to walk, you could become sedentary, and that is never a good thing. Not to mention, what nurse has that as an option? You take care of yourself, so make sure you take care of what takes you through your busy day--your feet. When purchasing shoes for work, don't sacrifice quality. Make sure your shoes are a comfortable fit, and have an ample amount of support. Get feet measured at least once a year since feet can change size over time, and it's important to have a good fit. Always choose practicality over style. If you don't, you will wish later that you did. Take care of your feet, so your feet can take you where you need to go. Related: International Nurses Association Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter