Soldiers

How to look after your feet during military service in a proper way?

Hey ! This is what you need…..read this! Soldiers should receive high-quality foot-treatments within the conditions under which they operate. Read more how to protect your feet during Military Training. It actually starts already before your army-service…..

Before recruitment

Make some preparations before your army-service starts.

• Visit a Chiropodist or Podiatrist on regular base and be sure your feet are in the best condition.
• Buy yourself a toilet- bag which contents the following items: * effective foot-cream for dry skin * Dead Sea salt* Foot-balm with anti-fungus ingredients* Shoe-and -sock-spray for anti-fungus-treatment* Plasters * Compeed-plaster* Cotton wool ( in case of Ingrown toenail) * and Polydine or Epsom salt. * Also blister-blockers or a blister-kid, a nail-clipper. Little mirror for foot-check and flip-flops.

Don’t forget also shock-absorbing socks.

Your Chiropodist provides you good, necessary advice for your during your military service.

During your army–service…..

Avoid tight (or poor fitting) shoes and socks. Soak your feet in warm water every day and go to a Chiropodist or Podiatrist on regular base. Waiting lists during army-service are often too long ! Don’t hesitate to consult a foot-professional in case of an ingrown toe-nail or corn.

Intense training or long marches can take their toll on even the toughest feet.

Read up on these common foot-problems and find out  whToenails.  to avoid them.

Blisters

A “hot spot” is the precursor to a painful blister, so it’s important to treat hot spots before they become blisters. Even if you can’t prevent blisters 100 percent of the time, you can take a few simple steps to keep them to an absolute minimum:

1. Reduce movement of your feet inside your boots. This is the first line of defense against blisters. Choose a boot that fits well- one that has been “sized” with your socks. Gel insoles or liners can also help you get a perfect fit.
2. Keep your feet as clean and dry as possible. Change your socks often, air-dry your feet during halts, and wear synthetic socks that “wick” away moisture. Cornstarch and spray-on antiperspirants can also help you control moisture.
3. Create a thin, sheer layer in your footwear system. Try wearing a “slippery” pair of liner socks under a heavier pair of shock-absorbing ones. Wrapping your toes with moleskin or taping your feet with athletic tape can help keep hot spots from forming. You can also try pressure pads, blister blockers, and blister kids available over the counter for blister prevention. Adhesive sprays and wipes can help these products adhere better to your skin.

Neta:

I went to Irma a week ago before going to army because of Onychomycosis that I have, I was very worried that in the army summer time it will be getting worst, Irma is treating me gently, and since then i do a treatment every 6 weeks, and it keeps getting better and better, Irma is very recommend

Fungal infections. Wash your feet whenever you have the possibility but always dry your feet, your toes and in between the toes thoroughly !!! Your Chiropodist provides you a special filing-treatment to remove as much as possible fungi on your nail. After this treatment your effective anti- fungus product will soak deeper into the nail. Often there is also fungus under the nail, it makes your nail very thick and there is no space under the nail for the scicors or clipper. Also with this problem Irma can help you. Slowly, slowly your nails will be nicer and healthier! But the clients himself has a lot of responsibility in this process.

Athlete’s foot

A common fungal infection , athlete’s foot usually affects the spaces between your toes but also can spread to the toenails, soles and sites of the feet. To avoid athlete’s foot, be sure to:

Practice good hygiene. Daily washing with soap and ( very important) rinse the soap until you are 100% sure you hosed down all the soap! ( the reality is that soap lessens the resistance of the human body and soap can even remove the necessary bacterial layer of the skin). Dry careful between the toes which can help you prevent from forming fungus because fungi love moisture ! Keep feet dry by changing your shoes and socks regularly and use a sock-and shoe spray for hygiene and to kill the fungus- bacteria's in all the shoes you wear. Keeping toenails cut shortband straight across can help prevent the fungus from spreading to the nails. Using flip-flops in the shower can help you avoid contracting the fungus in the first place.

Corns

Use a professional foot-file to file the corn before she comes up. ( corns starts with hard skin and afterwards grows into the skin ).Use a good cream against rough skin. Choose shoes with enough space for the toes ,also upwards) and don’t wear thick socks. Never use corn-plasters, they weaken the skin and afterwards it is much more difficult to treat the corn) . Use them for a day only, in an urgent situation but not more.

Liron:

"During my military service I manage to visit Irma every 6-8 weeks. I can strongly recommend Irma to other soldiers. The reason I applied to Irma where the beginning of fungus-nails. I didn't want to wait until it got worser. Now I am happy I have the fungus under control and…..a good foot-treatment is indispensable! This relaxing time I wish for all of my mates!"

Ingrown Toenails. How can soldiers prevent ingrown toenails from recurring?Avoid shoes that are too narrow( putting pressure on the toe-nail) or too large( where the foot is moving back-and-forth inside the shoe). Improperly fitting footwear can cause trauma to the toenail. Use proper methods of trimming the toenail with clean instruments, cut straight across toenails and do not trim them too short.

Are there any home remedies for an ingrown toenail ? The following home remedies may provide temporary relief. Lukewarm water foot soaks for 15-20 minutes with any of the following options can be helpful:

• Dead Seasalt
• One part white vinegar to four parts water; 2 table spoons Epsom salts per quart of water.
• Evelate the foot and the leg
• Trim the toenail straight across the top without digging into the corners or leaving them too short.
• Carefully rolling back be overgrown skin at the affected nail border may allow one to slip a small piece of cotton or dental floss to lift the offending edge of the nail up from the skin.

Hygiene and post march foot-care. In addition to daily washing and thorough drying, good hygiene during training periods also includes

A ten-minute foot soak in soap ( or Dead Sea salt)  and water. Afterward, try removing any calluses with a pumice stone or professional foot-file to keep your feet smooth. Inspect your feet regularly. Look for abrasions, blisters or abnormalities. Seek medical help if needed. Give your feet proper rest after marches. Expose them to the air while keeping them elevated at times. It’s a good idea to wear wider footwear when off duty to give sore spots some “ breathing” room.

Socks and boots. Wearing the right socks and boots that fit properly can go far to prevent many foot injuries, including calluses, corns, abrasions and blisters. Make sure your boots fit correctly. Boots that are too small will put pressure on your feet; too large boots can create friction against your foot. Too-short, -long, or- nartow boots can also cause foot irritation and discomfort. Lace your boots properly. This can prevent blisters and improper blood flow.

Wear non-cotton socks that fit well. They shouldn’t be tight or baggy. When “ breaking in “ new socks, allow ⅜ of an inch for shrinkage. Socks that are too large will wrinkle inside your boot, causing abrasions and blisters. Socks that are too small will wear quickly and reduce blood flow in your foot. Change your socks at least daily, and more often when you can.

Post-Army-Treatment. Visit a Podiatrist or Chiropodist on regular base after you have finished your army- service. It is highly recommended the first half year after your military-service to have a treatment every six weeks and to use a good cream against hard skin. For more information contact your foot-specialist.

Your feet deserve it !!

Eitan:

"My feet where in terrible condition after my army-training, they just were broken. I wish I would have known Irma already during my service….but it's never too late. Only after two treatments my feet were already much better! Irma removed with a surgery blade a lot of hard skin even under my toes!"