Introduction to Foot Care
Corns and calluses a royal pain? The Queen’s got you. Foot surgeon Dr. Yolanda Ragland — who calls herself the “Queen of Toes” on social media — has some advice for preventing the common ailments, as well as some at-home cures.
Dr. Ragland’s fascination with feet began back when she used to sell shoes — and she’s now run her own Manhattan practice for over 20 years. She even has her own Fix Your Feet product line that includes compression wraps, sole sticks and ointments. “Most people are grossed out by feet, but not me — so it was a natural profession and has remained a passion of mine,” she told The Post.
No ifs, ands or Bony Bunions About It
This queen decrees: Do not bow down to the latest trendy buys that claim to cure bunions, even if TikTok’s telling you it works. “There are lots of gizmos for bunions out there, but if they all worked, I would be out of business,” she quipped. Bunions are a biomechanical issue — and it’s mostly a myth that they’re caused by your shoes. “They can exacerbate the problem, but they won’t cause it. They will either form or not,” she added, stressing that all you can do is wear comfy — and yes, well-fitting — shoes. Bunions aren’t caused by shoes, she said — but ill-fitting ones can make them worse. Piotr Marcinski – stock.adobe.com
Hammering Her Advice for Hammertoes
You can get hammertoes from poor-fitting shoes — but there is some light at the end of the toe tunnel. Simply wearing proper shoes can most likely reverse any damage. For those with a tendon imbalance — where the toes curl and get that hammered look, or when the joint rubs against the shoes and forms a corn — she suggests using padding. She also advises against one common remedy, salicylic acid, since it can’t distinguish between the corn and good, healthy skin.
Fighting Nail Fungus and Outrunning Athlete’s Foot
Dr. Ragland has some commandments for two of the most common issues that have people rushing to their podiatrist. While both ailments are very contagious, some people are inherently immune. Still, she advises everyone to wash and dry in between their toes thoroughly, as well as add a protective layer of anti-fungal cream or gel to help keep fungus at bay as fungus is able to survive by spores, which she describes as being “very hardy.” “If you walk on a spore and then put your foot right into a shoe that is nice and moist and dark, that is the perfect medium for that spore to germinate into a fungus and it’s impossible to get fully get rid of the spores. You can’t wash or bleach it away, it can only be eradicated under super high temperature or pressure,” she said. “As we age, our immunity also decreases, so we see a lot more fungal nails and infections in our geriatric population, so it becomes more important than ever to think about hygiene as we get older.”
Calling All Calluses
Most calluses are due to biomechanics, or where there are bony prominences, so Dr. Ragland makes the case for custom made orthotics and cutouts to relieve the pressure in those areas. It will also minimize the risk of calluses developing again. Make no bones about it — if you have stubborn corns or calluses, she doesn’t recommend any quick fixes, such as shaving down the bone. Rather, it is best to use a mild uric type acid to keep the area softened. “It’s best to help manage your calluses, you shouldn’t cut them out,” she said. Her golden rule? “If it doesn’t hurt, I wouldn’t recommend surgery unless it affects your lifestyle.” KMPZZZ – stock.adobe.com
Conclusion
Dr. Ragland’s advice is clear: taking care of your feet is essential, and with the right techniques and products, you can prevent and manage common issues like bunions, hammertoes, nail fungus, athlete’s foot, and calluses. By following her tips and using her Fix Your Feet product line, you can keep your feet healthy and happy.
FAQs
Q: What causes bunions?
A: Bunions are a biomechanical issue and are not caused by shoes, although ill-fitting shoes can exacerbate the problem.
Q: How can I prevent hammertoes?
A: Wearing proper shoes and using padding can help prevent hammertoes.
Q: How can I get rid of nail fungus?
A: Washing and drying in between your toes thoroughly and adding a protective layer of anti-fungal cream or gel can help keep fungus at bay.
Q: What is the best way to manage calluses?
A: Using custom made orthotics and cutouts to relieve pressure and using a mild uric type acid to keep the area softened can help manage calluses.
Q: When should I consider surgery for foot issues?
A: Surgery should only be considered if the issue affects your lifestyle and other treatments have not been successful.
