4 Common Foot Problems in Older People and How to Avoid Them

As you age, foot problems begin to develop. There are a few common ones that can arise and you may be wondering what they are and the differences between each.

If you have been experiencing weird symptoms in your feet then you're probably aware that aging has a lot to do with it. The reality is that the likelihood for age-related foot problems increases as you grow older.

Here is a look a few of the major foot problems that can occur in seniors.

1. Arthritis

Arthritis can occur because after years of stress on the joints, wear and tear begins to happen. The ankle joints and the big toe joints can frequently develop arthritis.

If you have bunions or hammertoes, you may find that it worsens over time due to how rapidly arthritis can occur within the toe joints. Once you start experiencing symptoms, the best thing to do is to consult your doctor quickly.

2. Dry Skin Is One of the More Common Foot Problems

You may begin to experience dry skin on the bottom of your feet. In order to prevent cracking that can lead to infection you need to moisturize your feet daily.

Dry feet are often caused by a lack of collagen. If you do not moisturize your feet to get rid of the cracks then it can become painful to walk or stand.

Copper-infused materials, like socks, can assist in maintaining soft, healthy skin on feet.

3. Flat Feet

Once you start to age the connectivity tissue in your feet will begin to stretch. This can severely reduce the height of the arch in your feet and this leads to a condition known as flat feet.

The pain that can accompany flat feet usually starts in the middle of the foot. It can often cause swelling along the inner ankle and also along the arch of the foot.

You may also experience knee, hip and lower back pain. One of the best remedies for this is to make sure that you wear flat shoes more often.

4. Toenails Get Thicker

Toenails will often become more brittle and as you age they will also become thicker. This makes it harder for you to cut them.

Nail growth becomes slower as hormones decrease. Proper nail care can alleviate a lot of the problems caused by brittle nails. It may be necessary to get treatment for it from a podiatrist if there is an accompanying fungal infection in the toenails.

Your Foot Health Is Important

The unfortunate reality is that your feet age with you and there are some common foot problems that can occur. The key to getting through these issues is to practice taking care of your feet a bit more.

The more you moisturize, wear comfortable shoes and consult with your doctor about any changes you notice, the quicker you'll be able to deal with any problems that occur.

If you would like to purchase footwear that are designed to keep your feet comfortable, check out these popular shoes from our collection!