Foot care for rheumatism: how do I keep my feet healthy?

To prevent cuts on your feet and other foot problems, it is important to check your feet regularly. If you do this regularly, you will notice any changes more quickly. During a foot check, you should look out for:

• The shape of the foot and the position of the toes.
• The presence of red patches. This may indicate that there is too much pressure, for example from shoes or socks.
• Soft and delicate skin between the toes, often with flaky patches. This may indicate that you have a fungal infection.
• Thick calluses or calluses in areas where the skin is delicate, such as on or between your toes. You can check this by folding your skin. Normal skin folds easily. Skin that is too hard or has become excessively thickened due to excessive calluses can no longer fold.
• Corns or sores.
• Dry skin or chapped skin.
• Print marks.

Have you noticed anything unusual, are you in pain, or are you worried? If so, make an appointment with a podiatrist.

When the skin is subjected to a lot of pressure or friction, it develops calluses. A thin, even layer of callus generally provides good protection for the underlying skin. This does not necessarily cause any problems. But what if the callus becomes very thick in certain areas, or forms in places where the skin is very delicate, such as on or between the toes? In that case, we no longer refer to it as healthy callus. A corn (also known as a callus) or a sore may develop beneath the layer of callus. A medical pedicurist can remove excessive callus.

As the shape of the foot or toes can sometimes change in people with rheumatism, areas of excessive pressure may develop in certain places. It is important to keep a close eye on these areas and check that they do not thicken or harden.

Dry skin can be caused by foot baths, showers that are too hot and soap. Dry skin is less flexible and small cracks can easily form. Sometimes they are so small that you cannot see them. Bacteria and fungi can easily thrive in these tiny cracks, leading to skin infections. Larger cracks can also develop. We often see this on the heels, particularly when people walk a lot in flip-flops or sandals. The skin is rubbed more than when wearing closed shoes. Small wounds can form in these large cracks. This is often very painful. In addition, an opening forms in the skin, through which an infection can develop.

Want to prevent dry skin? Avoid foot baths, preferably do not use soap or use only a mild soap, do not shower in water that is too hot, and wear closed shoes. If your skin is very dry, apply a rich ointment or cream containing 10% urea to your feet in the evening before going to bed. Do not apply it between your toes to prevent softening of the skin and unpleasant fungal infections.

A blister is caused by friction. This can happen if a shoe is rubbing against the skin, but also by wearing the wrong socks. Always make sure there are no noticeable seams in your shoes and preferably wear seamless socks.

Have you got a blister on your foot? Never pierce a blister yourself. Always have it treated by a podiatrist.

Book an appointment with the podiatrist

When you book an appointment with a podiatrist, a podiatric examination is carried out. This involves checking for any dry skin, calluses and blisters, amongst other things. The examination also looks for any postural abnormalities and assesses your gait using a pressure analysis.