Maybe you or your patient are pregnant and want to know how to manage foot conditions during pregnancy.
This article suggests several ways to manage your foot condition if pregnant and lists and explains the potential benefits of foot care for pregnant women.
Managing Foot Conditions During Pregnancy
Here are some wa
ys to address various foot conditions during pregnancy:
CORNS AND CALLUSES
Pregnant women can get corns and calluses from additional stress on their feet due to pregnancy.
Corns and calluses form when the skin thickens due to friction (rubbing) or pressure. This thickening of the skin usually happens to protect the bone underneath.
Consider the following options when treating corns and calluses:
- Soak your patient’s feet in warm water
- Use a tool like a foot file to reduce callus and hard skin buildup. Footlogix Professional Stainless Steel File works incredibly well to soften Calluses.
Note that the Professional Stainless Steel File is only for professional use, but we do have a retail rubberized foot file that can be used by clients at home. The retail file is also included in the Ultimate “At Home” Foot Care Combo.
- Keep your hands and feet moisturized with lotion. Using products specially formulated to add hydration is an excellent way to moisturize and restore dry skin.
- For instance, a Footlogix Mousse product(s) can help treat rough, dry, cracked skin.
- Wear well-fitting shoes
- Making exfoliation a foot care habit can prevent the formation of corns or calluses. This can be done as needed with the Ultimate “At Home” Foot Care Combo. This combo includes a Homecare Foot File and a Retail Callus Softener Spray.
COLD FEET
Anemia during pregnancy can be a reason for cold feet and hands in pregnant women.
A gentle foot massage promotes blood circulation, which assists with healing and prevents injuries to muscles and tissues. This treatment is particularly beneficial for expectant mothers with diabetes.
FUNGAL INFECTION
When toenail fungus develops during pregnancy, it can cause pain and discomfort when walking. Foot sweat and poor foot hygiene can be a cause of fungal infections in the toenails.
A patient with toenail fungus may benefit from an anti-fungal/anti-microbial treatment like the Footlogix Nail Tincture Spray.
The Rough Skin Formula can help treat dry, rough, scratchy, and sandpaper-like skin prone to fungal infections and the Peeling Skin Formula provides relief of peeling, scaling, itching between the toes and irritation associated with fungal infections.
4 POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF FOOT CARE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
Below are the potential benefits of foot hygiene for pregnant women.
1. HELP IDENTIFY POSSIBLE HEALTH CONDITIONS
As strange as it may sound, your foot condition may help determine your overall health or well-being. Seemingly unconnected foot problems, including dry skin or discolored toenails, can provide health insights during routine podiatry treatment.
If you have one, foot care routines can help your podiatrist detect health issues like diabetes. These specialists can advise you on managing your foot issues during pregnancy.
2. SUPPORTS LONG-TERM FOOT HEALTH
When you access a professional foot care service, a podiatrist can perform tests like circulatory checks and foot assessments to identify any undiagnosed foot care issues.
These professionals can use that information to recommend personalized treatments like wearing supportive footwear, orthotics, or specialized socks.
3. HELPS PEOPLE WITH DIABETES
Around 1% to 2% of pregnant women in the United States have type 1 or 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can significantly impact foot health, damaging nerves and reducing blood circulation. Consequently, routine foot care or treatment is crucial to an overall diabetes care plan.
As part of standard foot care services, podiatrists can assess the extent of nerve damage to the feet and recommend appropriate solutions, such as footwear or lifestyle modifications, thus preventing problems from worsening.
4. IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE
Pregnancy in women coincides with various anatomical and physiological changes, which can adversely impact the quality of life-related to foot health.
Foot health issues can considerably impact other body parts like the knees, hips, and spine. These conditions adversely affect pregnant women’s mental health.
However, various options exist to manage those symptoms and improve pregnant women’s quality of life. For example, expectant mothers can avoid foot pain that leads to other health problems through exercise like walking or foot massage. These activities contribute to good foot health by improving blood circulation.
Depending on your physician’s recommendation, it’s also a good idea to wear supportive shoes during pregnancy.
Lastly, podiatry treatment can also reduce foot care-related stress while addressing biomechanical issues related to foot pain.
Source: Footlogix – Foot care Blogs
