The number of people with diabetes who had to have lower limbs amputated as a result of the condition increased last year, despite the fact that such amputations are almost completely preventable, Diabetes Ireland has warned.

The number of people with diabetes who had to have lower limbs amputated as a result of the condition increased last year, despite the fact that such amputations are almost completely preventable, Diabetes Ireland has warned.

Anyone battling foot or ankle pain knows that finding a good doctor is paramount for getting the right treatment for the right problem. Websites are a good source of information when searching for a podiatrist, but Palm Beach Podiatry has launched its website with more than just a wealth of information about its background and services. Because the doctors at Palm Beach Podiatry are serious about patient relationships, they wanted their website to reflect their commitment to staying up to speed on foot care research and development across the globe.

Anyone battling foot or ankle pain knows that finding a good doctor is paramount for getting the right treatment for the right problem. Websites are a good source of information when searching for a podiatrist, but Palm Beach Podiatry has launched its website with more than just a wealth of information about its background and services. Because the doctors at Palm Beach Podiatry are serious about patient relationships, they wanted their website to reflect their commitment to staying up to speed on foot care research and development across the globe.

The old American spiritual had it right, the toe bone is connected to the foot bone, the foot bone's connected to the heel bone, the heel bone's connected to the anklebone and so on through the length of the human body. But these days it's not Ezekiel who's joining up dem dry bones but the Internet of Things (IoT) and a UK-headquartered company HCi Viocare Technologies, the inventor of the Smart Insole.

The old American spiritual had it right, the toe bone is connected to the foot bone, the foot bone's connected to the heel bone, the heel bone's connected to the anklebone and so on through the length of the human body. But these days it's not Ezekiel who's joining up dem dry bones but the Internet of Things (IoT) and a UK-headquartered company HCi Viocare Technologies, the inventor of the Smart Insole.

Children’s feet are not the same as adults’ feet. Babies' and toddlers' feet are soft and pliable because the bones are not yet completely formed. This means their feet can be more easily damaged than the feet of older children e.g. by shoes that are too tight. Here are some tips for taking care of your child’s feet.

Shoes and socks

Toddlers do not need shoes indoors when they first start to walk. Letting them go barefoot or wearing socks alone helps their feet   grow normally and encourages their toes to develop a grasping action.

• Feet grow rapidly during childhood. Check that your child’s shoes fit properly every one to 3 months up to the age of 3 years, every 4 months between 3 and 5 years and every 6 months for children aged over 5.
• Make sure children wear fresh cotton socks daily and that they air their shoes overnight — this can help reduce skin problems.

• When choosing shoes for children, there should be about 1 cm ‘growing room’ between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. The shoe should also fit the foot’s natural shape, especially around the toes.

• Always have both of your child’s feet measured for length and width. Note that a child's left and right foot are unlikely to be exactly the same size.

• Never "hand down" shoes from one child to another.

• Uneven wear and tear on the heel of a shoe may indicate a foot problem that should be checked with a doctor or podiatrist.

Walking problems

• Flat feet are common in children, but are not necessarily a problem. Arch development will likely stabilise by the age of 6 or 7 years. However, take your child to a doctor or podiatrist if flat feet are causing pain or affecting your child’s walking or other activities.

• Most toddlers who walk with their feet pointed inwards (in-toeing or "pigeon toes") or with their feet pointed outwards (out-toeing) and those who appear to have bow legs, will be walking normally by the time they are 2. Take your child to a doctor or podiatrist if these walking patterns persist beyond the age of 2 or you are worried.

• Children walking on their toes can also be just a phase, but the Australasian Podiatry Council says it is "not normal" and recommends review by a podiatrist.

• Knock knees are normal in children aged 2 to 7 years. If the condition causes the foot to roll or be painful, orthoses (orthotics) may be advised.

• Signs that your child may have a problem needing investigation include frequent tripping and falling, withdrawing from sport and recreation, or lagging well behind other children during sport and play.

Corns and calluses

Painful areas on the feet can be a great source of misery, making walking uncomfortable. Sufferers are often reluctant to take regular exercise.

Among the most common causes of sore feet are calluses and corns. These are raised areas of local thickening of the surface layer of the skin. This layer is known as the keratin layer. When it becomes thickened the condition is known as hyperkeratosis.

Calluses and corns are usually found in places where there is friction or pressure. They are usually the result of badly fitting shoes, but can also occur if your feet are abnormally shaped. They are sometimes found on other parts of the body where friction occurs, for example, on the fingers of guitar players.

Calluses are bigger than corns and are usually found on the bottom (sole) of the foot, either around the heel or around the front of the foot at the base of the first and fourth toes — places where pressure occurs.

Corns are smaller and often have a central core, or ‘plug’, of keratin, which can be seen. The top of the fifth toe (where it gets squashed by tight shoes) is the most common site for a corn. Sometimes they are found between the toes, where they can be extremely painful.

Treatment of corns and calluses

The best way to treat corns and calluses is to remove the hard keratin on a regular basis. This can be done by ‘shaving’ with a sharp, preferably sterile, blade. This is best done by a doctor or podiatrist. For those who prefer the do-it-yourself approach, a pumice stone can be used to do the job. Various preparations are available to help soften the areas of hyperkeratosis. These usually contain salicylic acid, which is present in corn plasters.

Although the discomfort of calluses and corns is often easily fixed, the problem will inevitably come back if the underlying problem, usually wearing the wrong pair of shoes, is not corrected. If changing shoes does not help, seeing a podiatrist may be helpful.

Here is a list of quick questions to help you check the health of your feet.

1. Do you have pain in your feet?
2. Are you on your feet all day?
3. Do you have skin or nail problems (ingrown or discoloured toenails, corns, skin rashes, areas of hard skin) on your feet?
4. Do you have any sores on your feet that are not healing?
5. Do you have foot odour?
6. Do you have a foot injury?
7. Do you have health problems such as diabetes or arthritis?
8. Do you have numbness, tingling or burning in your feet?
9. Do your feet have poor circulation - are they unusually pale, blue or red?
10. Do you trip or fall often?
11. Do you have problems finding shoes that fit comfortably?
12. Do you have lumps or bumps, bunions or misshapen toes?
13. Do you regularly wear heels that are 5 cm (2 inches) or higher?
14. If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, see a podiatrist or your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Foot problems include athlete’s foot, plantar warts (verrucae), corns, smelly feet and infected toenails.

• Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection — also called tinea pedis. It is contagious via direct contact, wet floors and shared footwear.
• Plantar warts (verrucae) are flat warts in the sole of the foot. They are forced under the skin and may occur in clusters. The surface is greyish and crumbly, and they may contain small black points that are swollen blood vessels. Plantar warts are also contagious via wet floors. Like other warts, they will disappear on their own, but this may take up to 2 years.
• Corns are areas of hard skin that build up on parts of the foot that are subject to pressure or friction, such as on the little toe.
• Smelly feet are usually caused by excessive perspiration and an over-growth of fungi and/or bacteria.
• Infected toenails are commonly the result of a fungal infection, a condition known as onychomycosis. Toenails affected by onychomycosis are often brittle, discoloured or yellow.

What can you do to care for your feet?

Here are several steps you can take towards healthy feet.

• Wear thongs in public showers such as in camping grounds and gyms to help prevent you from contracting athlete’s foot.
• Wash your feet twice daily and dry them thoroughly, particularly between your toes. Use a clean towel.
• Change your socks daily and wear cotton, not synthetic, socks.
• Wash your socks and towels at a high temperature (hot cycle on washing machine).
• Wear well-fitting leather shoes that allow your feet to ‘breathe’ (synthetic shoes tend to increase the amount of perspiration) or wear open shoes or sandals to allow air to circulate freely.
• Bleach your shower/bath area.
• When applying corn or wart medication, make sure it does not get on the healthy, unaffected skin.

When should you seek medical advice?

All of the above conditions can be treated: some by medications that are available from pharmacists, while others, particularly fungal nail infections, can require prescription medication from your doctor. You should also seek medical advice if:

• you suffer from diabetes, as you may lack some feeling in your feet and that can lead to complications such as ulcers;
• you are elderly, as you may have poor circulation;
• you have a mole or dark-coloured spot on your foot; 
• there is bleeding.