Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with feet

Starting off on the wrong feet: what to do about waking to foot & leg pain?

moonbird — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:06:24 -0800

When I wake up, I have lately been vexed with a dull pain in my lower legs and especially feet that reminds me of a long day of walking... . ...except that on my job I don't spend much time of my feet. So, YANMP (Podiatrist), to get that out of the way. This is nothing like the descriptions of plantar fascitis or bunions, which seems to be a much higher and sharper grade pain than this, and my arches are intact. This simply feels like I've been on an all day walk, when much of my working day is spent seated or occasionally on my feet at the hospital but not for extended periods. I have sensible shoes and can't grok other potential factors. I have no coldness or numbness, just this annoying ache. I do question if it's related to the two meniscectomies I've had (both knees) over the past three years. I have a great MD to inquire to if needed but without health insurance I'm holding off for only dire situations. Thanks in advance.

Beyond Good and Evil...of feet

duckierose — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:12:17 -0800

Did Nietzsche write a poem about feet? In one of my philosophy classes in college we read some of Nietzsche's poems. I have a distinct memory of giggling with one of my college chums about a specific poem, the subject of which was feet.

I remember nothing about the actual poem. The memory is completely about laughing at the fact that Nietzsche would have a poem about feet.

Now, this was 7 or 8 years ago, so the details are even more fuzzy. Recently, the memory was brought to the forefront of my mind again, and I tried to find Nietzsche's foot poem. I tried a variety of web searches, but nothing brought up anything that rung a bell.

So, I pose to you: Is there a Nietzsche poem about feet? Is it perhaps some other philosopher, and I just confused the two? Or is the man who runs the filing cabinets in my brain just totally screwing with me via fabricating this memory?

Upon read-through I realized, it might have been about shoes, and not feet. It was definitely the sub-ankle area, though.

Need a solution to keep my sisters feet warm in ski boots.

no bueno — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:15:48 -0800

Need a solution to keep my sister's feet warm in ski boots. My sister has Raynaud's syndrome so whenever we go skiing she has to take constant breaks to go in and warm up. This year she's trying these Swany mittens that have an insert for handwarmers. We tried footwarmer inserts but her feet suck all the warmth out of them within minutes. I think she's going to need something battery powered but everything I've found online seems like it might be cheap(quality not price). Suggestions. Remember this is for skiing, socks would need to fit in the boots, so I'm guessing insoles might be the best bet?

Is Halloween the only time straight guys can wear nail polish?

Alex Handcoding — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:51:29 -0800

Is Halloween the only time it's ok for straight guys to wear nail polish (either on hands or feet)? And even then, only black, is it? On the off-chance the answer happens to be 'not even Halloween', feel free to convey as much. Also, I realize there's a difference between "it's ok" and "it's attractive", so I'm interested in that angle too.

I can never think of a good title to my questinos. Sorry.

Brandon1600 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:57:11 -0800

I need help with creating a plan to diagnose a possible alignment problem with my right leg what I can do do fix it. I have always had a funny way of walking. I tend to lean forward and walk closer to the front of my feet than the back. It is not a perfect heel-to-toe movement and it makes me bounce. I am very self conscious of this and when I am in public I try to walk normally, resulting in a burning sensation on the bottoms of my feet. Think of when you were a little kid and you had to walk around the shopping mall all day and your feet hurt. My feet make an L-shape when I am standing still; my right foot clearly turns out more than the left. Another way of saying this is that my knee does not line up with my foot.

I used to run and work-out a lot. I ran the Kona Marathon about four years ago and at about mile twenty, my right knee felt like it was going to come unhinged. It was a strange kind of pain so I walked the rest of the way. I also noticed when I did squats that my right foot would turn out (heel inward) and I would have to reposition myself.

So.

I think the first thing to do is get a doctor's opinion. I don't normally deal with doctors and I can't say I really trust them. What kind of doctor should I go to? What sort of tests and procedures should I expect?

If I end up having to get surgery, what is the most effective way to pay for it? I have crappy insurance now, and I am going to be a full time student starting in January. Should I go out of country?

I am not sure what information about me would be relevant to figuring this out but:

I am 28 years old, American, employed until December with basic health coverage, well within weight standards and generally healthy, and a military veteran.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Looking for a keep-feet-warm in bed device (to keep on the bed, not just socks)

lrodman — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:44:05 -0800

I want something to put at the foot of my bed to keep feet warm - a throw would work, but something more designed for the purpose perhaps- like a giant "sock" that slips over the end of the comforter that you slip your feet into or something like that. down or equivalent preferable, but post whatever you have!

Stopping foot fungus in its tracks?

amro — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:31:54 -0800

Tonight I used the sauna, steam room, and shower at my gym. I forgot to wear flip flops in all of them, and now I'm a little grossed out and paranoid about getting athlete's foot. Anything I can do to head potentially growing foot fungus off at the pass right away?

Please hope my feets!

the luke parker fiasco — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:12:40 -0800

Where in Chicago can someone with some foot problems get fitted for good running shoes? I'll be back in Chicago for a few weeks in September, and want to get a good pair of running shoes. I've recently been diagnosed with falling arches, and have never done anything like having my gait analyzed either. I'd like to get a pair of shoes that will help to keep my feet in as good condition as possible, and need to know where to go to do that. (I have been fitted for custom orthoses, but won't receive them before this trip. Getting a fitting where I am isn't really an option.)

Help me identify what is growing on my feet!

moiraine — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:46:53 -0800

On my left feet, there are a couple of spots (~7 of them). These spots are about 5 mm in diameter, and they occur at the pressure points of my feet. They appear to be places where the epidermis is unusually thickened. What are they? I tried cutting them off a couple of times, but they grow back. They aren't painful, they don't cause me any problems, and I think they are totally benign. Still, I'm quite curious. What are they, and why are they there?

Other information: My feet are really 'hard', which means I never ever get blisters, even when I am running on the ground barefoot, or playing basketball.

I am ashamed of my feet.

Anonymous — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:29:50 -0800

What should I do about my icky feet? I have disgusting feet, and have had them my whole life. I'm female. Both of my big toes have that thick yellow nail on them. I keep them as trimmed as I can both length and thickness.

I have chronic athlete's foot that I use antifungal ointment on. It goes away for a few weeks and then returns. I've tried the spray but that caused the normal skin to dry out way too much. I always wear clean socks and rotate through four pairs of tennis shoes.

I have rough calluses on my heels and the balls of my feet. I have tried all manner of exfoliation (towel, scissors, file, Ped-egg type) but I can't keep up with them. It'd be okay if they were smooth calluses like you see on people's hands, but they are rough and peeley.

The rest of the bottoms are constantly peeling as well, and occasionally cracking.

"Just rub lotion in and wear socks to bed!" you say? Then the athlete's foot flares up, gross and itchy. Also, a bit smelly. I had foot odor bad as a kid, but it's not too bad anymore.

I don't have much foot pain, but I do have wide feet and I think I have a normal arch. Am I wearing the wrong shoes? Could a podiatrist even help me, or are these all just cosmetic problems?

Who in Boston can help me figure out how shoes should fit?

cadge — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 07:44:00 -0800

Is there anyone in the Boston area who can help a girl with shoe fitting and shopping? I'm tired of getting blisters all the time and feeling like not even my sneakers are the right fit. I want to get advice on how shoes should fit my feet and what to look for when shopping. I haven't had good times with shoes. I wind up with blisters on heels and toes from almost anything beyond sneakers, and now my sneakers are wearing out and even all the replacement sneaks I've tried on don't feel like they fit right.

I'd love to talk to someone who can tell me how shoes should fit and who could show me whether the shoes I'm trying on are appropriate (right size, right width, how to prevent blisters, etc.).

Is there anyone like this in the Boston area? I'm open to anything - shoe shops, cobblers, some random guy at Foot Locker who knows his stuff. Would a podiatrist help?

Confoot be gone!

arniec — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:55:34 -0800

What can I do now to never get "con foot" ever, ever again? I am a sci-fi fan and every year go to a large number of conventions, with the biggest by far being San Diego Comic Con International.

I just returned from my 4th and, for the fourth year in a row, I feel like I have no feet; rather, I am simply walking on bloody ankle-nubs.

I don't know if it's the walking at the con, or the standing (there is far more standing than walking), and I don't know if it is the uneven terrain of the outdoor standing or the hard-ass floor of the convention itself, but every year by Sunday I am limping.

I am overweight, but I have several think friends who also suffer from horrible con-foot at SDCC.

For those unfamiliar, let me describe the symptoms/sensations. When I went, I was happy, normal, no foot pain. Over the course of five grueling days of being on my feet 18 hours a day I have:

*Blisters on the bottom of my big, middle, and 4th toes
*the entire bottom of my foot is much rougher and feels tougher than it did before the con
*My feet throb when in resting positions, approximately with the pace of my pulse.
*When standing my feet feel like someone has a voodoo doll of me and is lighting matches under its feet.
*My ankles are sore and at the worst of it feel like they might give out.
*The toenails of my fourth and pinky toes are very sensitive.

ALL of the pain is devoted to my feet and ankles. I have no hip, knee, or other leg pain.

I have worked hard over the years to try and play with different shoes (crocs, high tops, work boots, etc). This year I wore two pairs of shoes, alternating on days, which prevented some of the horrible blistering of years past, but still the problem persists.

To add: I have had a fairly bad instep all my life, so even my day-to-day shoes usually have some form of ankle support. My day-to-day shoes look like these:

http://www.foreigntrademe.com/Trade/Pic/200791319155.jpg

and I wore a pare of those at the con, as well as some high-top Nikes.

I am starting a fitness routine, but I'm wondering what I can do to make my feet and ankles not hurt this badly at future cons. I have thought walking/treadmill would work (I want to have cardio anyways to lose weight) but I don't know if an hour a day five days a week will help prepare me for five eighteen hour days, nor do I know if walking will help with the standing.

But I'm tired of being the slow guy on the 3rd day of the con, and a virtual cripple on the 4th and 5th. And I'm tired of hurting for almost a week after.

Help me Mefites...I have 51 weeks. How can I prep?

how do I describe bazuka gel to a german pharmacist?

krautland — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:50:16 -0800

how do I describe bazuka gel to a german pharmacist? I recently got hold of some extra-strength bazuka gel while in the UK and would like to purchase something similar in germany. alas, I don't quite know how to explain what I want to the pharmacist. I use this to make life easier on my callus feet.

Shoes-that-fit-filter

Alterscape — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:44:35 -0800

The tops of my girlfriend's feet are very steep, and her feet don't fit into most shoes that are the correct size for the length/width of her foot. Where can she look for shoes that fit better? (and is there a term to describe it/use when searching for said shoes?) If she wears lace-up shoes (tennis shoes, etc), they have to be much larger than the length or width of her feet suggest in order for her feet to fit in, height-wise. She can wear sandals of the "one strap above the toes, one strap around the ankles" variety, and has found a couple of types of ballet-slipper-y things with additional straps that stay on, but most of the regular shoes she tries on don't fit because the top is too low, or they're too loose in order to fit the height. Ballet slipper-style shoes without extra straps don't stay on. Does anyone have any thoughts about where to find shoes that fit, or styles to investigate? Specifically, work-friendly shoes (closed-toe), but all recommendations welcome.

Foot Cream and Hands - Cosmetic Capulets and Montagues?

boombot — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:36:12 -0800

Why is it so important that I wash my hands "thoroughly" after applying my foot cream (instructions/ingredients)? Texture and thickness aside, isn't skin, well, skin?

How do I slow my bunion down?

ohio — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:11:17 -0800

Bunion filter: What can I do now to prevent my developing bunion from getting worse later? I am developing a bunion on my right foot (bony protrusion + big toe starting to slant toward the other toes). It hurts only occasionally and mostly mildly, so it isn't a huge concern yet. But I know that it can get much worse and much more painful, so I'd like to take whatever steps I can now to limit its progression. There is way too much out there on the internet for me to intelligently sort through, so:

What have you done/wished you'd done to make your bunions better or prevent them to begin with?

Things I'm already doing:
Wearing the proper size shoes (difficult since my feet are freakishly wide to begin with- I wear a size 7.5 EW (American)).
No high heels except at work, where I mostly sit, and then only 2 inch heels or less.
Stopping walking on it if it hurts a lot.
I go barefoot whenever I can get away with it.

Thanks!

Trail Running Shoes for the Wider Feet

PaulingL — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:57:13 -0800

Looking for a trail running shoe similar to the Brooks GTS 8. The problem? I'm a 9.5 2E and the shoes I have tried are too narrow. Help! What's the deal with the lack of width sizes in trail running shoes?

A little about me:
I run often, at minimum 60 miles/week.
I use orthodics.
I love the Brooks GTS 8 because it really helps my overpronation and has corrected a series of running injuries that used to be commonplace for me.

What trail shoe should I get? It does not have to be Brooks. It should, however, be similar enough to the GTS 8 as to where I am still pain free.

Thanks!

Should I go to podiatrist?

Sloop John B — Tue, 19 May 2009 10:43:44 -0800

My feet are in pain. What kind of doctor should I go to? I've heard that podiatry is sort of a dubious branch of medicine. So my feet are in bad shape. I've been walking in big, sturdy boots (Timberlands) for nearly a year without proper arch support. The arches of my feet have been hurting for a while, especially my left. The left foot has been getting worse lately, and is starting to feel a bit numb behind the knuckle of the big toe (not the joint on the toe, but where the toe meets the foot). Also, my left knee has problems and has been acting up lately.

I bought a nice arch support yesterday, so hopefully that'll help. But I really feel like I should go to a doctor and get this checked out. I know that "numb toes" is an indication of diabetes, but for various reasons I think this is probably more of a skeletal/muscular issue.

I've heard that podiatry is like chiropractry, where some people will swear by it but others feel it's kind of dubious. What kind of doctor should I go to?

Why are there holes in my shoes underneath my big toes?

ericales — Sat, 02 May 2009 06:38:26 -0800

Most shoes I wear tend to wear out rapidly underneath my big toes. To the point that a hole wears through the insole and, on some shoes, the footbed cracks or collapses. It has happened with various styles and brands of shoes. The Doc Martens I had were the worst case. There was no insole to wear out first so when the footbed cracked and caved the shoe was worthless. I have some pretty big calluses on the inside edges of my toes. I have to assume that this might be part of my problem. I'm working on those and on one foot it is mostly gone. In thinking about it I suppose it could also just be a function of how I walk.

My legs are built wrong. Is there a solution?

tzikeh — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:30:40 -0800

I'm 40 years old. Is there any way to bend my bones into another position if they're malformed? My legs are a disaster area. I have to turn my (very, very flat) feet out 90 degrees just to get my knees to face forward. If I aim my feet straight ahead, I'm not bow-legged (thighs are straight), so much as... I don't know, shins-bent-into-arc legged? And it hurts my ankles. It's like every joint from my hips to my toes was built wrong.

I don't have plantar fascitis, ITBS, or any other foot/leg-related problems.

Okay, so, lucky you - you get to see my 40-year-old legs for reference's sake:

Here my feet are parallel to one another, and facing forward. You can't really tell in the photo, but if I were to bend at the knees, they'd knock into one another at a severe angle.

Here my feet are at a 90-degree angle to one another (first position, for you ballet people out there). In this position, if I bend my knees, they go straight forward, parallel, like a regular pair of legs would do if their feet were facing straight forward.

If I were to turn my feet into a 180-degree line (and I can), my knees would bend slightly outward. This is why I never got far in ballet.

Does anyone know if there are leg braces or something that could bend my bones into some kind of normal shape? I wouldn't be at all embarrassed to wear them, if it meant that I could eventually walk and run like a person with regular legs. Or is it far too late to reshape bones at my age?

(Also - I've never understood why people with flat feet should get walking/running shoes with high arches, or orthotics. Doesn't that just throw your whole body out of whack?)

My feetsies are weird.

stray — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:08:28 -0800

How can I fix my over-pronation? Someone pointed out to me today that my ankles sag inwards. After looking this up on the internet, looks like I over pronate, and will suffer horrible crippling deformaties in my legs and back as a result, or something.

How do I fix this? If I consciously try to walk more evenly on my feet, with more weight on the outward edge, will they get better? I already do yoga and stretch, but I'm probably not focusing on my legs/feet the way I ought to.

I'm not sure that I can afford to buy orthotics at the moment--are they really the only way to deal with this?

Also, I've seen the exercises in this thread . Frankly, it makes me nervous. Do I have to do all that to fix this?

Heat Resistent Adhesive?

gzimmer — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:55:45 -0800

Looking for a heat resistant adhesive to use to attach feet onto my laptop. I bought this and like the a few reviews say, they fall off often because of the heat.

I currently attach them to my battery since that is probably the least hot section of the bottom of my laptop.

Either I can find another more cooler place for them, or I could find some adhesive to replace the given one that would not so easily fail under the heat.

Any suggestions?

Oh noes! Not the toes! nom nom nom

onhazier — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:49:21 -0800

How do I stop our new cat from chewing on our toes in the middle of the night? We've recently adopted a young cat and she's great. She's about 18 months old and is very playful. During the cold nights, our feet are safely tucked in and she only attacks them if they wiggle and it is approaching 5am. Now that the nights are warming up, we tend to sleep with one or both feet sticking out of the covers. We've now discovered that will wrap herself around our feet, wait, and then start licking. If we don't wake up in time, she goes from licking to chewing. Apparently, toes are a midnight snack. I'm sure that if we die and she's trapped in the house for days, she'll survive just fine.

So far, the only way we've been able to rescue our feet is to keep them covered or constantly wake up, sit up, grab her and pitch her to the floor. Trying to extract your feet by moving them or trying to push her to the floor with your feet just escalates play with her.

We don't sleep with our door closed because we need to hear and respond to the children in the house during the night. So, closing her out of the room is not an option we'll consider. Additionally, we actually like having the cat sleep in bed with us when she's not nomming toes. Our last cat slept with us for 13 years. It has been been that long since we've had a young cat that we need to educate.

So, how can we train this fiesty ball of fierce?

Breathable dress shoes for sweaty feet

thankyoumuchly — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:38:56 -0800

My feet sweat a lot, no matter if I'm sitting still or running around. I am in search of the perfect work/dress shoes (business casual) that will help me best deal with my sweaty feet! All shoe suggestions are welcomed! Sweaty feet run in my family (no pun intended). I sometimes sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, and sometimes I travel and am on my feet for 8 hours a day. Regardless of my activity, my feet sweat a consistent amount. I'm looking for dress shoes (for a business casual job) that help combat or deal with this situation.

What I Am Asking of You:
Please provide me with successful/applicable dress shoe brands/models, sock brands, etc. that you have tried (or your family/friend/co-worker) that either help my feet breath (so my feet/socks/shoes aren't damp/wet at the end of the day and subsequently smell), help wick away the moisture or otherwise cut down on/reduce/better address the sweating.

What I am Not Asking:
I'm not looking for over-the-counter non-shoe or non-sock "apply to your feet/shoe" solutions (gold bond, dr. Scholl's inserts, desenex, tinactin, etc.). I've tried every over-the-counter powder, insert/insole, cream, etc. on the shelves of the drug store. So have my family members that also have this problem. It just seems to be that our feet like to sweat. I'm ready to accept that I have a problem and attempt to deal with it! As a result, I am turning to you, Hive Mind! TIA.

Any handy way to warm up my idle feet?

filthy light thief — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:11:54 -0800

My feet often get cold at work, and I like the idea of under-the-desk pedals, but I think my desk is too low most of them. Any other ideas? I have a desk job, and my feet and lower legs can get cold from lack of activity, especially in winter. I'm in sunny California, so it's not really that cold in the office, but cold enough to be annoying while I'm idle. While I can walk around the office when I want, I think my time would be better spent at the desk (plus, I might look like I'm killing time by pacing the halls or running stairs).

Lifehacker has a really brief article on one, but a lot of the comments make them sound fairly cheap in terms of construction, or that desks are too short to use the pedal systems.

I'm 6'2", so my legs are pretty long. There is a good bit of depth to my desk, but not a lot of height. It's a modular desk system, so I can't raise the desk. Are there smaller pedal options, or something else to push my feet against? While I could probably work on twitching nervously to keep my legs moving, that seems like an odd solution.