This week is #UKFootHealthWeek21 and with the average person walking around 115,000 miles in their lifetime - more than four times the circumference of the globe, it’s incredibly important to think about your feet.
On an average day a person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps and #UKFootHealthWeek21 encourages everyone to check their feet are getting the care and attention that they need and deserve.
To mark Foot Health Week, we are reminding everyone that our onsite Podiatry Clinic, located in the Allerton building on Fredrick Road Campus is open for business.
Under the supervision of academic staff our students can provide a wide range of treatments for any foot problem. Our clinic can help with foot problems in children, nail surgery for an ingrowing toenail, biomechanical issues, foot-related sports injuries and can provide in-shoe orthoses.
The clinic is following the current government guidelines with staff and students using PPE.
If you are unable to attend the clinic you can find five easy ways to keep your feet healthy below:
- Cut nails correctly. It’s best to use nail nippers rather than cutters, because they have a small cutting blade and a longer handle. Cut nails straight across and not too low at the edge or sides. The corner of the nail should be visible above the skin. It’s better to cut nails after a bath or shower when they are much softer.
- Don’t forget to moisturise. After washing feet, dry thoroughly and apply a good foot moisturiser all over the foot. Avoid moisturiser between the toes, as this can cause the skin to become overly macerated, causing it to break down. The best foot creams contain urea.
- Don’t assume flat is best. People are more aware now of the health problems associated with wearing high heeled shoes frequently, but completely flat slip-on styles, such as a ballerina pump, are not ideal for everyday wear as they offer very little shock absorption or support. Slip-on styles also cause the toes to claw to hold the foot in place
- Alternate shoes and keep them clean inside. Feet naturally sweat and wearing the same pair every day doesn’t give them a chance to dry out and they can then be a breeding ground for bacteria. To help keep your shoes clean and prevent them from becoming smelly, clean inside the shoe with some surgical spirit on a cotton wool pad to reduce the bacteria
- Check your feet regularly. Common symptoms to look out for are yellow, brittle and discoloured nails - which can be a sign of a nail infection, flaky skin that may be dry or red or itchy – which can be a symptom of athlete’s foot, and any changes to the structure of the foot such as swelling to the joint around the ball of the foot.
For all press office enquiries please email communications@salford.ac.uk.