Humans didn't know much about their bodies and how they worked before modern medicine, so we invented strange stories to explain what we didn't understand. We know that most of these are false, yet certain misconceptions about our feet persist. Here is a list of seven podiatry myths that should be addressed.
1. Foot pain is a normal aspect of aging
Our feet, like the rest of our bodies, can become worn out after years of bearing the weight of our everyday activities. As a result, you may be tempted to assume that foot pain is typical. However, foot pain is never natural, and you should not simply accept it. There are several reasons why your feet may suffer, as well as numerous treatments.
2. Bunions are caused by improper shoes
Bunions are most commonly caused by a hereditary flaw in the foot's mechanical structure. The bunion itself is not hereditary, but certain foot types make a person more prone to getting one. While shoes that squeeze the toes together might make bunions more painful over time, shoes don't cause bunions. Although various therapies can alleviate bunion pain, only surgery can fix the deformity.
3. Corns have roots
We're not sure where this concept came from, but it might be because, despite their small size, corns can cause a significant amount of pain when touched. Corns, like calluses, form as a result of friction and repetitive pressure. Corns, unlike calluses, normally form on parts of the foot that do not carry your weight, such as the tops and sides of your toes. However, corn can form in a weight-bearing location, such as the ball of the foot.
Corns can be prevented by wearing correctly fitting shoes and addressing concerns such as hammertoe and bunions. You can get rid of corn at home but if it is inflamed or extremely painful, it is better to undergo corn removal.
4. Walking barefoot is harmful to your feet
Walking barefoot improves muscle strength, balance, and coordination. It may be unpleasant in exceptional cases, although this is mainly due to tight lower leg muscles. Stretching your calves is often all that is required to alleviate this.
5. My heel pain is always caused by heel spurs
Heel pain is one of the most common problems that podiatrists face on a daily basis. Patients frequently appear with this sort of discomfort, as well as an x-ray ordered by their doctor, which clearly shows a little overgrowth of bone under the heel, known as a heel spur. As a result, both patients and, in many cases, doctors think that this bone growth is the source of the pain.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The majority of heel pain is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs through the arch of the foot. There are additional reasons for heel pain, such as nerve entrapments and stress fractures, that can occur.
6. Duct tape is excellent for wart removal
Some warts can be destroyed by removing their oxygen supply. In general, this is correct. But using duct tape is not an effective therapy for plantar warts, commonly known as verruca. This is because plantar warts are produced by a human papillomavirus infection (HPV). They also penetrate the skin pretty deeply. Simply depriving the verruca of oxygen does not kill it.
7. Fungus on the toes is only an aesthetic problem.
Toenail fungus, as the name indicates, is a fungal condition that is very infectious and spreads quickly. Its symptoms are mostly aesthetic, with the toenail thickening and discoloring. However, the condition may worsen over time and the nail may eventually break down.
