A Guide to Prevention of Foot Problems
Foot care is essential to all aspects of military life and training,
especially if you are new to it. If your feet are painful and blistered
you can become miserable and de-motivated.
The good news is: foot problems are preventable.
Footwear
Make sure your boots and shoes fit. If they don't - change them. It is
usually better to have them slightly too big rather than too small.
Boots
Always pretty uncomfortable to start with but they do improve. Wear
them as much as you can. Soaking in Neatsfoot oil will soften the
leather especially if you "work" it. Make sure your boots have insoles
- the nylon ones work very well.
Socks
Opinions vary. Some people like a thin inner sock and a thicker outer.
Some like a single thick sock - you can buy good quality loop, knit
socks in the NAAFI. Whichever system you use, always wear woollen
socks, never nylon.
A small amount of soap flakes (Lux) inside socks can be very useful to
stop blisters. Woollen socks only. Surgical spirit for hard skin.
Powder feet twice a day.
Skin hardening
Opinions vary on the use of various witches' brews - some people swear by it.
The best "recipe" is to wipe the feet over last thing at night with
surgical spirit. Allow to dry, pat on more spirit and allow to dry.
Powder
Simple baby powder is ideal and you should get in the habit of
powdering your feet twice a day, every day. Do not use athletes foot
powder, as it is too grainy and can cause blisters.
Blisters - Prevention
If you keep your feet dry you will reduce the chances of blisters.
Always wear clean dry socks and powder your feet regularly. If you
start to get hot spots or blisters, tape the area with zinc oxide tape
and leave it there. If it still rubs, put more tape on. The tape can be
left in place for many days and early taping will prevent problems
later on.
Care in the field: prevention is better than cure.
* Inspect feet regularly.
* Re-apply tape as required.
* Keep feet dry and powdered.
* Change socks twice a day.
* Get air to your feet any chance you have - it feels wonderful.
Blisters - Cure
The best dressing is skin so don't remove it! Blisters usually feel
better if the fluid is drained off using a sterile needle. Don't attack
your feet with a rusty penknife. The Sickbay is the place to get this
done- the staff are very experienced.
We sometimes use Tinc. Benz. Co. which can work wonders at drying out blisters but it is very painful for a minute or two.
After a blister is drained the skin is left intact and usually taped
over. We sometimes use other dressings. Do not use elastoplast on
blisters. Plasters are probably useless at best.
It is much better not to get blisters in the first place!
Care in the Field
Check your feet whenever you get the chance. It may seem like too much
hassle but get your boots and socks off and check for problems.
Your feet will feel great for a bit of fresh air even if there are no
blisters. Always keep a small towel and your powder handy (and dry) so
you can dry and powder you feet at every opportunity.
Keep your feet dry if at all possible - polish helps keep boots
waterproof. You don't have to leap into every stream on Dartmoor.
Change your socks twice a day in the field.
Put the damp ones over your shoulders, under your combat jacket and
they will dry out while you are marching. At night put them under or in
your sleeping bag and your body heat will dry them.
Do running repairs with Zinc oxide tape.
Don't ignore pain - stop as soon as possible and check your feet. You may prevent a trivial problem becoming a crippling one.
(Courtesy of the Britannia Royal Navy College)
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