The skin of the feet in people with obesity is particularly sensitive. Excessive body weight, improper gait, improper care and poorly chosen footwear may cause recurrent skin changes on the feet of obese people, e.g. corns, calluses and mycosis. We advise what most often affects the skin and toenails of people with obesity, how to prevent these problems and when to use the advice of a podiatrist.

Problem 1. Calluses and corns

- This is one of the most common dermatological problems in overweight and obese people. Corns are usually small, clearly defined keratinized lesions with the presence of a pink plug or a core penetrating deep into the epidermis, causing stinging or pressure pain. On the other hand, calluses are thickenings of the epidermis that are not so clearly demarcated from he althy skin, they are usually spherical, yellow or yellow-brown in color. They cause a burning pain. Both calluses and corns are formed as a defensive reaction of the skin as a result of permanent pressure - explains Natalia Pietrow, a podologist at FootMedica.

When to see a podiatrist with calluses and corns?

As soon as the first such changes appear. We often try to remove calluses and corns on our own, using over-the-counter preparations in pharmacies. Unfortunately, the desire to obtain an immediate effect and inappropriate selection of the method often lead to many complications. First, let's go to the podiatrist to professionally remove calluses and corns and then advise on what pharmacy measures to use so that the changes do not return.

Problem 2. Dry, cracked heels

- Cracked heel skin in overweight and obese people is influenced by several factors. First of all, the skin structure of the feet differs significantly from that of other parts of the body. The layer of the epidermis is much thicker - by standard, it is from 0.5 to 2.5 mm, and on the feet as much as 4 mm. In addition, the process of keratosis is more intense due to the thicker stratum corneum, which increases with age, and the pressure of the entire body weight, explains Natalia Petrov, a podologist.

Although there are as many as 250,000 in a pair of feet. sweat glands, it doesn't have a single sebaceous gland. Non-oily skin becomes dry, hard, and when it is dry, even fissures appear on the heels. When left untreated, fissures cancause a bacterial or fungal infection.

When to see a podiatrist with dry, cracked heels?

It is worth visiting a podiatrist's office systematically, who during a specialist podiatry pedicure, using sterile tools, cleans the entire feet of dead epidermis, then performs a massage that stimulates blood circulation and applies specialist nourishing and moisturizing preparations. In the case of cracked heels, the specialist places a dressing on the cleaned area to soften the skin and relieve the heel while walking.

How to care for feet with dry, cracked heels?
  • Every day, apply a cream with the right composition to your feet.It should contain at least one active ingredient, such as aloe, urea, shea butter, allantoin or lanolin. Vegetable oils, e.g. from tea tree, also have a soothing effect. Urea is also a desirable ingredient to keep the skin moist. Its most common concentration in foot cosmetics is approx. 10%. It shows strong moisturizing, regenerating and antibacterial properties.
  • Perform a foot scrub once a week.Take care of systematic exfoliation of the stratum corneum, especially on the feet.
  • From time to time regenerate the skin of the feet with a special mask with micro-silver particles.After applying the cosmetic, wrap your feet with foil and leave for 15 minutes. The mask contains cottonseed oil, vitamin E, shea butter and lanolin, thanks to which it perfectly moisturizes and regenerates the epidermis. The soothing properties are provided by the presence of microsilver and panthenol, while the urea contained in the cosmetic is responsible for softening the skin.

Problem 3. Ingrown nails

People with obesity find it more difficult to properly care for their feet, which is why the problem of ingrown toenails is quite common. At first, the pain is not pronounced and is like a discomfort similar to wearing too tight shoes. If you feel pain when wearing comfortable shoes, it is worth taking a look at your nails.

- The nail starts growing in the wrong direction and twists towards the nail shafts, irritating them. The toenail is the most prone to ingrowth because its base is one of the support points for the foot when walking. As a result, the toe is exposed to heavy loads and irritation with parts of the shoes - explains Natalia Petrov, a podologist.

When to see a podiatrist with ingrown toenails?

The longer we delay going to a specialist, the longer the treatment takes. Already during the first visit, the podiatrist is non-invasivewill relieve pain by using the appropriate method of therapy:

  • Tamponing- This method is good at the very beginning of the ingrowth. Between the nail shaft and the plate, the podiatrist places a dressing or fleece to minimize the irritation.
  • Orthonyx brace- the podiatrist puts on a brace that will stretch and straighten the plate for several months. It can be plastic, silicone or metal. None of them interfere with normal functioning. Such treatment, however, requires regular visits to the podiatrist so that he can move the clamp along with the progressive correction of the nail.

- With ingrown nails, the key is the correct care and method of shortening the nail plate. Remember to shorten the nails straight, without rounding the edges too much, which we only smooth so as not to leave any sharp edges - advises Natalia Petrov.

Problem 4. Fungus of the feet and nails

- Anyone can catch the mycosis, e.g. after visiting the swimming pool or bathing in a hotel bathroom. This problem also often affects people who are overweight and obese. The most common fault is improper care and drying of the feet. Damp feet are an ideal environment for fungi that like to attack the epidermis and nails. If the skin peels, burns and itches, and the nails turn yellowish and brittle, it is a signal that we are dealing with mycosis - explains the expert from FootMedica.

When to see a podiatrist with foot and nail mycosis?

It's best to make an appointment with a podiatrist or dermatologist as soon as possible. As a rule, a specialist is able to recognize the disease at first glance, but to find out exactly which type of fungus has infected the nails, he or she orders a mycological examination. This is a type of laboratory test in which a previously taken sample is examined under a microscope and then cultured. If a mushroom is grown out of the material, it means that the patient is struggling with mycosis. Identifying the type of fungus allows you to choose the appropriate therapy. The role of a podiatrist in the fight against onychomycosis is, above all, thorough cleaning of the plate, which significantly speeds up the treatment process.

Methods of treating foot and nail mycosis
  • When the mycosis is not yet advanced, it is most often recommendedtopical therapy . It consists in covering infected nails with medicinal preparations in the form of varnish. It's best to ask your dermatologist or podiatrist about the right product.
  • Pharmacological therapyalso helps with large and visible fungal lesions. However, taking medication by mouth can take up to several months. It is notso it is recommended for people who take other medications regularly, because they are concerned about their liver. A prescription for antifungal drugs can only be issued by a dermatologist.
  • An alternative to ointments and medications islaser therapy . The most commonly used device to fight mycosis is the Lunula laser. The device emits two beams of light, one of which has a bactericidal and fungicidal effect, and the other affects the regeneration of damaged nails, stimulating the body's immune processes. This procedure is painless (the laser is cold) and can be performed both on the feet and on the hands. Usually, after four visits, the nail regeneration process begins, but the final effect should be waited until it fully grows back.

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Important

Poradnikzdrowie.pl supports safe treatment and a dignified life of people suffering from obesity. This article does not contain discriminatory and stigmatizing content of people suffering from obesity.

About the authorNatalia Petrov - podiatrist specialist from "FootMedica".

She graduated from the School of Business and He alth Sciences in Lodz with a specialization in podiatry. She gained professional experience in an aesthetic medicine and podiatry clinic.

Category:

Obesity