fungal infections); and suggest treatments for problems like athlete's foot - which you tend to get when the immune system is down - or even just help you keep excessive toe
nail growth under control. (Did you know it is suggested
that older people who have been on the protease inhibitor Indinavir long-term
are particularly prone to ingrowing toe nails?)
Some people with HIV also swear by the effectiveness of acupuncture or
reflexology to alleviate painful feet.
A practical solution that you might consider is to wear padded insoles
in your shoes. For best results, you can get these made-to-measure in
many hospitals by an orthotist who makes an impression of each foot in
a mould.
Bad posture and flat feet can be improved by working to strengthen the
knee reflexor muscles - and particularly the vastus medialis muscles which
pull the knee joint into position.
Avoiding fungal infections is simple common sense. Firstly, keep your
feet clean.
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Wear socks made out of natural fibres and dry your feet
well, padding them with talcum powder or spraying with anti-fungals afterwards.
If bad fungal infections persist, stronger creams like Canesten HC are
usually effective.
Warts on the soles of the feet can be picked up by anyone, particularly
if you visit a gym, swimming pool or sauna. When you have HIV they can
also occur at any stage of infection. They are caused by a virus which
is easily transmitted and they can spread like wildfire - the same virus
(HPV) which causes genital warts. A chiropodist can easily burn them off
with strong citric acid or liquid nitrogen and it's pretty painless if
you catch them early.
If you don't know where there's a good chiropodist in your area then ask
your GP or HIV treatment centre.
So look after your feet and you'll not only have a spring in your step
now but also prevent major
problems as you get older.
See 'Numb Toes and Aching Soles: Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy',
by John Senneff, published by Med Press of San Antonio, Texas, www.medpress.com
and visit the Neuropathy Association at: www.neuropathy-trust.org
