What are the common foot diseases experienced by the elderly?

As you get older, the body will be more susceptible to disease. Foot disease is a health problem that many parents and the elderly complain about. Because, the feet also experience an aging process like any other part of the body. So, what are the foot problems and diseases that often attack the elderly and elderly? Check out the following reviews.

Various problems and diseases of the feet commonly experienced by the elderly

As we get older, the body is no longer able to produce large amounts of collagen. In fact, collagen is a special protein that is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity and elasticity and preventing bone loss. Collagen also works to maintain the health of your joints. Your body fat levels also decrease as you get older.

These various aging processes then give rise to various problems and diseases in the feet.

1. The skin on the soles of the feet is dry and cracked

The decrease in fat and collagen levels with age makes the layer of fat under the skin of the feet thinner. As a result, the skin on the soles of the feet has to work extra extra while holding the weight of the body. Without a fat pad on the soles of your feet, it will make it easier for you to get in pain after a day of activities.

This over time also causes the skin on the soles of the feet to become dry and break easily, also often feels itchy or feels hot like burning. It is this persistent pressure on the soles of the feet that further causes calluses.

2. Seborrheic keratosis

One of the most common skin problems in adults is seborrheic keratosis. Seborrheic keratosis is the appearance of lesions or lumps that are darker in color than the surrounding skin. These lesions are benign and therefore do not require special medical treatment, although they tend to make the skin feel itchy.

What needs to be watched out for, the characteristics of seborrheic keratosis are almost the same as melanoma skin cancer. If the skin lesions change in color, size or shape, consult a doctor immediately to prevent the possibility of developing the disease.

3. Stucco keratosis

This condition is one of the common foot diseases experienced by the elderly, especially in the back of the foot and ankle. Generally looks like a plaster surface with a skin-like color or a lighter shade. This problem can be treated with exfoliating treatments or over-the-counter skin creams.

4. Thicken nails

Older nails are prone to thickening and hardening, but they are more brittle. This happens because as you get older, nail growth slows down. Slow-growing nails can also be affected by hormonal changes

Thickening of the toenails can also be caused by other health problems, such as hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease (PAD), obstructed oxygen circulation in the body, and fungal infections of the toenails.

5. Change in shape and size of the feet

Maybe this is not widely realized, but changes in the shape and size of the feet are common as a result of aging. Your feet will usually increase in size by half a centimeter or more. So, don't be surprised if your shoe size changes with age.

Changes in the shape and size of the feet occur because the ligaments and tendons of the body stop developing in old age. As a result, the arch of the foot tends to decrease, making the soles of the feet flat, but the length of the feet actually increases. Tendon and ligament changes can also increase the risk of various injuries, such as tendonitis, tendon tears, or muscle tension.

6.Inflammation (arthritis)

Arthritis or arthritis is a joint disease that is commonly known as the effect of aging. Osteoarthritis occurs as an accumulation of pressure on the joints that has occurred over the years, usually affecting the big toe and instep.

Arthritis symptoms in the toe joints can trigger other foot ailments such as gout, hammertoes, and bunions. Hammertoes are disabilities or damage to the joints closest to the thumb, while bunions are conditions when the bone protrudes along the edge of the foot, particularly on the outer side of the big toe.

7. Swollen feet

Your feet are prone to swelling as you age. The cause is not known with certainty, especially if it is not related to the injury. However, swollen legs are thought to be caused by problems with the veins in the legs and other limbs at the same time.

If this swelling occurs in two parts of the leg, it could be due to cardiovascular disease, consumption of certain drugs, and hormonal changes.