Pedicure or podiatry: Which one is right for you?

(Aging Untold) — While pedicures make our feet look and feel great, several medical problems can arise as we age that require a visit to a podiatrist.

Age brings changes to feet

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, said feet undergo changes with age, including alterations to skin, circulation and nerves that increase the risk of infection and injury.

“Little things become really big things, such as blisters, ingrown toenails and things like that,” Rogers said.

People with diabetes and other vascular disorders are prone to neuropathies, which reduce sensation in the feet, she said. This means they may not feel pain or notice ulcers.

“That’s going to differentiate who gets a pedicure for pretty feet and who goes to the podiatrist for safety,” Rogers said.

“Your feet are your foundation”

Sam Cradduck, a gerontologist, compared feet to a home’s foundation.

“If you’re selling a house to someone, don’t you have the foundation inspected?” Cradduck asked. “Your feet are your foundation. You have to take care of them.”

Neglecting foot care can cause the “whole building” to eventually crumble, she said.

Dangers of DIY nail trimming

Cradduck said home nail clipping is dangerous for people with neuropathy.

“If you mess up and clip a toe or you make a cut, then it doesn’t heal and that becomes a petri dish,” Cradduck said. “I have seen people go septic from something just as simple.”

What to know about mobile podiatry

Amy O’Rourke, an aging expert, said many people don’t realize why assisted living communities restrict family members from cutting residents’ toenails.

She said mobile podiatry companies can provide care at home for those who want to avoid additional trips to medical offices.

Basic foot care guidelines

Rogers outlined basic foot care steps: inspect feet regularly, keep them clean, dry and moisturized, and address long toenails, which interfere with shoes, balance and walking.

She said long toenails can affect gait, which impacts hips and legs.

Katherine Ambrose, an aging-well coach, said poor foot health can lead people to sit more, causing them to miss out on activities and experience a “cascade of decline.”

She said men often start taking regular foot care seriously after experiencing problems and discovering how helpful professional care can be.

Key takeaways

• Aging changes feet: Skin, circulation and nerve changes increase infection and injury risk
• Diabetes requires extra caution: Neuropathy can prevent people from feeling pain or noticing ulcers
• Know when to see a podiatrist: Medical conditions might warrant professional care over cosmetic pedicures
• Feet affect overall mobility: Neglected foot problems can alter gait and impact hips and legs
• Basic care matters: Regular inspection, cleanliness and moisturizing are essential