Brits Have Developed ‘Lockdown Feet’ After Pandemic

With many Brits spending a lot more time at home during the pandemic, being comfortable and wearing slippers all day has been one of the small benefits.

But it looks like our comfy footwear has actually been causing health problems, with people developing 'lockdown feet'.

If you've been experiencing pain in the arch or heel of your foot, it's possible that you've got what is officially called plantar fasciitis.

The College of Podiatry has warned that one of the causes is floppy soles or poor quality footwear - much like those fluffy socks you've been wearing while you work from home.

Pixabay

Emma McConnachie, a spokesperson for the foot health specialists, told The Sun: "The ligaments in the foot can stretch out, arches are unsupported and putting on anything with a heel becomes painful.

"If your feet go unsupported, they can start to feel the strain. Wearing floppy slippers all the time eventually takes its toll.

"Many patients are ­struggling with foot issues and are trying to fix the problems themselves.

"They assume we are closed, but podiatrists are very much open and there to help."

NHS

The NHS describes how to tell if it could be plantar fasciitis, if you are experiencing the following:

• pain that is much worse when you start walking after sleeping or resting
• pain that feels better during exercise, but returns after restingd
• difficulty raising your toes off the floor

Other causes of the condition could include recently starting to exercise on a hard surface (hello, home workouts), if you exercise while your calves are tight or if you stretch your sole too much while you are exercising.

The NHS also says that if you recently started doing more walking or running, or if you're shoes aren't very supportive.

However, different types of pain in the foot can be caused by a variety of things.

If it hurts in your ankle and heel, or you get a pain in your calf when standing on tiptoes, you could have Achilles tendonitis. This is when a tendon swells up after an injury.

In very rare cases, it could be a sign that you have diabetes.

According to diabetes.org.uk, this is because your blood sugar can affect the sensation in your feet.

The website reads: "It can also affect your circulation, which can lead to you getting less blood supply to your feet. Without a good blood supply you may have problems with cuts and sores healing. You may also get cramps and pain in your legs or feet."

Topics: UK News

Amelia Ward

Amelia is a journalist at LADbible. After studying journalism at Liverpool John Moores and Salford Uni (don't ask), she went into PR and then the world of music. She spent a few years working on festivals and events. Soon realising you can't pay your bills with guestlist, she went back to her roots. In her spare time, Amelia likes music, Liverpool FC, and spending good, quality time with her cat, Paul. You can contact Amelia at [email protected].

@ameliasward