Kathryn sets up Foot Health Clinic

When you think about it, our feet probably take the heaviest load of any part of our body.

Yet they are arguably the parts of us that we look after the least.

Foot health specialist Kathryn Keatley, who has recently opened a Foot Health Clinic at Kilgowan, would agree with that thought.

“It often isn’t until there’s something that’s actually causing pain that they go to see somebody about it,” says Kathryn, who has literally followed in the footsteps of her mother, who has cared for people’s feet for some 25 years.

Kathryn has completed a Foot Health Practioner’s course, and she specialises in treatment of callouses, corns, verrucas, ingrown toenails and other foot problems.

And while it is true that older people suffer more from feet problems than younger, she says that an increasing number of young people are being harder on their feet than is necessary.

“For instance, they tend to wear sneakers a lot, because it’s trendy. But these make feet sweat more, and this can lead to problems like athlete’s foot and other difficulties.”

And then, of course, there’s the old reliable problem of women who have been wearing unsuitable very high shoes for years, and these finally end up creating corns and misshapen toes. “There are also difficulties with the increasing obesity in young people, which is causing more pressure on their feet.”

Long before bunions, verrucas and such things force the issue, Kathryn says regular attention to feet can stop problems in their tracks.

“I recommend people should soak their feet about twice a week, and put plenty of cream on them, keeping the skin from drying out and cracking. And leaving your shoes off while in the house, walking around in just socks or slippers is always helpful. But the truth is, everybody is so busy these days that they just don’t think of the simple things.”

Also, with more people using gymnasiums and swimming pools, there’s increased chances of picking up foot infections such as verrucas. Like anything else, having an eye out for early signs of trouble can keep major stuff at bay.

And again, Kathryn emphasises that foot care should start when people are young, so they get used to looking after the parts that keep them moving all their lives.

If you need further information, you can phone 087 7796682.

Brian Byrne.

(This article was first published in the Kilcullen page of last week's Kildare Nationalist.)