Feet Facts for Men...

What is the correct shoe shape for my feet?

Feet existed before shoes - so match the shape of the shoe to the shape of your foot. Check toe lengths - your longest toe (not necessarily the big toe) sets your foot length. The cascading shape formed by the different lengths of your toes is what decides the front profile or front shape of your foot.

How can i know whether my shoes are the correct shape?

Compare your foot shape side by side to the shoe shape. Then place your foot over and on top of the shoe to get a rough idea of shape match before putting on the shoe. If the first three toes are almost the same length, you may have a square shape foot and should not look at pointed styles. Very few people have a pointy foot shape. The typical foot shape needs squared toe shoe shapes or rounded off spatula shapes.

What’s the best style of shoe to care for my feet?

Strictly speaking, there are two places that a shoe should grip on the foot - across the instep and behind the heel. Any style that incorporates these features is better for the foot. Open backed low cut shoes will tire out the foot more because they force you (subconsciously) to use more muscle energy to grip with your toes to keep them on.

Is it ok to wear synthetic plastic shoes?

No, leather is best because it breathes and eases its shape to the foot like no artificial fabric yet invented. Remember that a new leather shoe will ease its shape to your foot in a process properly called “mulling”. Mulling happens due to the foot’s warmth, moisture and motion. Soft leather will mull or ease its shape more than hard leather.

What can happen if I don’t wear leather shoes?

Avoid using closed shoes made of plastic or lined with pastic - these will incrase the temperature inside your shoe as well as the perspiration level - making this an ideal environment for both fungal infections and wet corns caused by pressure and friction as your foot slightly slides around in the shoe.

Is it okay to wear the same pair of shoes every day?

No. The average man perspires 250ml from his feet in a single day. Leather can absorb a large amount of moisture without visibly showing it. You should allow a full 24 hours for natural drying before using them again. This takes good care of leather and also decreases the risk of fungal infection due to increased moisture in the shoe. Never dry leather shoes in an oven or in front of a heater. Shoe “trees” (spring forms) or scrunched paper inside helps maintain the shape and structural integrity of quality leather shoes.

What can happen if I wear tight or pointy toed styles?

Squashed toes can be a cause of ingrown toenails, as neighbouring toes press unnaturally hard against adjoining toenail beds. Toes that are squeezed together will sweat more, and this increased moisture can create an ideal environment for soft corns, fungal and other infections.

What can I do about varicose veins?

Walk briskly more often or do heel raise exercises: go up onto tip toes then back down onto your heels. Do as many as you are comfortable with to help your veins function better. Avoid very hot baths or very hot showers as the hot water can further dilate the veins in your legs. Avoid crossing your legs when sitting. Consult a podiatrist for prescription hosiery.

I have painful hard skin under my foot. Why does this happen?

Do you remember how hard skin fromed on the inside of your pen or pencil finger at school? It’s called callus and only happens on glabrous skin due to pressure and friction. Glabrous skin is only formed on our soles and palms, fingers, toes, knees and elbows. Callus can build up into a corn with a small center of pressure sometimes called a root. This forms from sequential surface layers of hard keratin skin cells being pushed into the soft tissue underneath.

How can I avoid corns and callus?

To prevent corns and cullus, avoid the source of pressure and friction. Choose well fitting shoes. Avoid shoes that are too tight or too loose, or shoe shapes that do not match your foot shape. Genuine leather is best. Choose shoes that have a system of cushioning in both the outer and inner sole design and which are highly flexible.

What’s the best way to soften hard skin or callus on my feet?

For South African conditions, use foot scrub followed by a good heel balm that contains at least 20% urea. Urea is made from carbon dioxide and ammonia in a laboratory so it is acceptable for all religious beliefs. It helps to trap moisture in glabrous skin, the special skin type found in everyone’s soles of their feet, keeping heels whole and healthy. If corns or callus persist, have a podiatrist check your foot biomechanics - you may have an imbalance in the way you walk.

What causes smelly feet?

Feet may still smell in spite of frequent washing, due to over-active sweat glands caused by genetics, accidents to nerves, illness or nervous conditions, tight shoes and shoe materials that cannot “breathe”. Too much moisture promotes a population explosion of the skin’s natural flora (good bacteria) and loss of skin cells which decay after a few hours. Consult a podiatrist for specific remedies to control over perspiration in the feet.

What can I do about sweaty feet?

Stick to leather shoes to avoid the “plastic bag” effect of non-leather shoes. Use absorbent foot talc in socks and closed shoes. Use frequent changes of socks or stockings. Wash feet daily with 5 grains of permanganate of potash in 1 litre water (this may stain skin light brown) or use the new specially formulated foot anti-perspirant spray from Froggie. (link to Froggie’s Own) Consult a qualified podiatrist for prescription strength anti-perspirants, and specific advice.

Is Athelete’s Foot really such a problem?

Athlete’s Foot is a fungal infection of the skin, which if left untreated, can infect your toenails as well. Conversely, if toenail fungus is untreated, it can reinfect the skin. If you are fond of walking barefoot, every step you take will leave a potential trail of infection for someone else. Consult your podiatrist for effective treatment as well as advice on how to safely decontaminate your footwear and environment.

I have pain under my heel and under my arch. What can it be?

Heel and arch pain can reault from inflammation of the fibrous band (plantar fascia) under the foot. Common causes include overloading by long hours of standing, carrying weights, sudden increase in physical activity, or imbalance of the foot or ankle. Signs include heel pain on first standing in the morning that then eases up. It may also happen on standing up after sitting for a while. It’s worse during and after exercise. This is called plantar fascitis and is best treated by a podiatrist.

What can i do about pain under my heel and under my arch?

Replace worn out heels as these can tilt the foot and ankle out of balance. Wear shoes with cushioning systems in soles and inners to absorb shock. Ice-packs, rest and taping help decrease the pain of inflammation until you can see a podiatrist for effective treatment. Since heel pain can have other serious origins, always consult a podiatrist for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Call the SA Podiatry Association 0861 100 249 to locate your nearest podiatrist.

Foot Facts brought to you by Froggie 031 450 0207, in the interest of better footcare.