Immediate release

Stepping into a new season with the utltimate footcare guide

• Follow our podiatrist’s top tips for fabulous feet

You know a new season’s coming when you start googling Autumn/Winter boot trends. One minute it’s second nature to slip into sandals and the next, the UK weather forces us to cover up our feet again.  As lovely as it is to have spent a summer on the beach or walking barefoot on the grass, it can have an impact on the condition of our feet – over time sun exposure can lead to dry, peeling and chapped skin. As we change seasons, the relative fall in humidity, both indoors and outdoors combined with the colder, harsher weather on the horizon, can strip skin of its natural moisture and exacerbate dryness. So, now is a great time to give your feet some real care and attention.

Podiatrist Molly Chilvers BS.c MRCPod and brand ambassador for Footmender®All inOne says, “So often, people view a footcare regime as a summer season issue only i.e. when their feet are going to be on display. I really wish people would consider footcare as a year-round part of everyday health and wellbeing routines. Caring for our feet is as important as looking after and pampering any other part of our body and considering we use our feet much more than we think, we should be investing in their care.”.

So, here’s Molly’s top tips to keep your feet in shape this Autumn / Winter:

1. Daily steps to happy feet

Creating a regime is vital to achieve soft and supple feet over the colder months. Part of this is maintaining good hygiene for your feet such as washing and drying them thoroughly, checking them frequently, cutting the toenails properly, and using a foot cream specially formulated for your feet, like Footmender® All in One* rather than a body cream. One of the main reasons I recommend this treatment for use at home is that it’s a quick, easy to use, all-in-one solution, which replaces the need for foot baths, foot files, exfoliating socks and myriad creams. Also make sure you wear a fresh pair of socks daily, wear the correct shoes for your foot type and listen to your feet – if you’re feeling the strain after exercise such as a long run or you’ve been keeping up the pace in new shoes on the commute, take a break, switch your footwear to something more comfortable and refresh your feet with a cleanse & moisture before bed. One reason behind dry skin on your feet is lack of hydration. Once the warmer weather starts to fade, our immediate urge to hydrate is often reduced – and we can become dehydrated without realising. Which can have a negative impact on the tone and suppleness of the skin all over our body -including the feet! So – do your best to stay hydrated!

2. Sole support

In the UK, the transition in seasons sees us digging out last year’s boots and shoes to protect our feet from the harsher, colder and potentially wetter weather. The first few wears of more restrictive footwear after the Summer can be tricky, with the added friction rubbing the skin or heels causing our feet to ache.  However, foot pain can also be a sign you’re wearing the wrong size shoes. The most important factor when choosing shoes, whatever the season, is the fit.  Wearing a shoe or boot that is too big or too small can cause damage to your feet and put more strain on your soft tissue, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other structures on your body. It can cause skin conditions such as blisters, callus, corns, and contribute to musculoskeletal and soft tissue injuries. The best shoes for your feet are the ones that fit comfortably in depth, width and length according to your foot shape. So, if you’re on your feet for a long time like commuting, working or on a night out, choose footwear that supports your ankle and midfoot. If you’re exercising, try to choose footwear in a breathable fabric to help to maintain a healthy environment for your feet.

3. Treat your feet

When the skin around the heel cracks, it can be sore and unsightly!  If you know, you know! But why does this happen? We expose our feet to a variety of stresses in terms of standing, walking, exercising and, let’s be honest, we don’t always wear the most comfortable shoes. If the skin on the feet is also dry and therefore less elastic, slight cracks occur as the skin cannot stretch to allow the heel to expand slightly when it is subjected to pressure and stress. As we walk and pressure is applied to the foot, the dryness causes cracks which can be superficial or develop into deeper “fissures”.  With our feet often wrapped up in the Winter, it can be a case of “out of sight, out of mind”, but if you don’t treat the dry skin, cracked heels can develop and become a real painful problem.  Using a specially formulated foot cream like Footmender All in One, is my advice. Rub in the two pumps of cream for at least one minute on each foot. I recommend that you treat your entire foot even if you feel that you only have problems in specific areas e.g. cracked heels or hard skin (calluses). Often, people have several different problems simultaneously and almost always in combination with dry feet. Allow the cream to absorb first, and then, if you wish, you can put on socks after treatment (ideally chose socks made of breathable, natural fabric like bamboo or cotton). With Footmender, you should treat once a day until the desired result is achieved, this usually means one week of treatment. In case of severe problems two to three weeks treatment may be necessary.  Thanks to its classification as Class IIa Medical Device, Footmender is safe to use on damaged skin.

Notes to Editors:

*Footmender® All in One replaces former treatments for dry feet, calluses, corns and cracked heels as the product can treat all these ailments simultaneously. Treatment is therefore easier and less costly, as you only need one daily treatment and do not have to buy multiple products to treat your feet. You will see an effect within a few days, often after the very first treatment. Footmender is stocked in Boots, Well Pharmacy (stores across the UK and online) and Pharmacy2u. RRP: £28.99.

9^th September 2024

How to help take the load off your feet whilst pregnant with these expert podiatrist tips

Pregnancy can bring about many changes to our feet but there are several ways to mitigate or at least help deal with some of the more common issues. Here we speak to expert podiatrist and brand ambassador for Footmender®All in One, Molly Chilvers BS.c MRCPod on ways to care for this often-overlooked part of our body:

1. My feet have started swelling, what can I do to reduce the puffiness?

It’s very common to experience changes in your feet during pregnancy such as foot cramps, more noticeable veins, toenail problems and swelling. Swelling is caused by your body holding more water than usual when you’re pregnant; through the day the extra water tends to gather in the lowest parts of the body, especially if you have been standing a lot¹. The pressure of your growing womb can also affect the blood flow in your legs which can cause fluid build-up in the ankles and feet. Resting often, elevating your feet, stretching exercises and staying hydrated can all really help.  It sounds obvious but also making sure that your nails are trimmed and you’re wearing shoes that fit, can also help to support your feet and legs during this time and reduce the puffiness.

2. Are there any changes to the feet and legs that could signify a wider, more serious problem?

The vast majority of conditions are not serious even if they might be slightly uncomfortable. However, there are times when changes in your legs and feet can be a sign of a more serious underlying pregnancy complication, such as preeclampsia, which needs medical attention. So do keep an eye on significant foot swelling that doesn’t appear to abate and if at all in doubt, seek medical advice from a healthcare professional.

3. What impact do changes in our hormonal levels have on our feet?

It will come as no surprise that the levels of hormones in a woman’s body increase during pregnancy.  In readiness for childbirth, some of these hormones relax the ligaments and other structures to physically help prepare the body for a vaginal birth. At the same time, this may cause the ligaments in the feet to relax too, which can potentially lead to overpronation or ‘flat feet’.  This can be easily treated by using orthotic inserts for extra arch support such as an insole, but advice should be sought from a podiatrist.

4. Is it true that being pregnant can cause cracked heels and what is the best way to treat this problem?

A lack of hydration is a common cause of dry skin and cracked heels on the feet. Pregnancy and associated hormonal changes can cause us to become dehydrated without realising, which in turn can have a negative impact on the tone and suppleness of the skin on our feet. Additional baby weight can also put pressure on the legs, ankles and feet which in turn can also cause the heels to split and crack. To help prevent cracked heels make sure you drink enough water, aim for 6-8 glasses a day, wear comfortable and supportive footwear and use a foot cream specially formulated for your feet, like Footmender® All in One, which has no known contraindications and can be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women.  This will address foot concerns such as dry skin, calluses, corns and cracked heels – the Class IIa medical device is a multi-functional footcare product with a unique, patented formula that treats, heals and restores the skin on your feet simultaneously. Treatment is therefore easier and less costly, as you only need one daily treatment and do not have to buy multiple products to treat different conditions on your feet. You will see an effect within a few days, often after the very first treatment.

Once the desired result is achieved, Footmender® All in One only needs to be applied twice a week as part of a maintenance programme in order to keep your feet in good condition.

5. Why are we more likely to experience foot and leg cramps during pregnancy?

Leg and foot cramps are pretty common during pregnancy and unfortunately can be quite painful. They can occur during both the day and night but tend to be more common at night and during the second trimester of pregnancy. It’s believed that pregnant women are more likely to suffer with them due to fatigue, pressure from the uterus on the blood vessels and changes in calcium concentration.

If you are suffering from cramps, you can relieve your symptoms by stretching and massaging the muscles in your legs and feet. Walking and light exercise can also help by getting the blood moving in the legs and feet. Some people find that a warm bath can also help by relaxing the muscles. As with other conditions mentioned above, it’s also important to keep hydrated, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

*Footmender® All in One replaces former treatments for dry feet, calluses, corns and cracked heels as the product can treat all these ailments simultaneously. Treatment is therefore easier and less costly, as you only need one daily treatment and do not have to buy multiple products to treat your feet. You will see an effect within a few days, often after the very first treatment. Footmender is stocked in Boots, Well Pharmacy (stores across the UK and online) and Pharmacy2u. RRP: £28.99.

References

1. https://tinyurl.com/4sd82ku9

For further information contact Jo Gulliver, Caroline Beswick, Tami Keefe at Trinity PR on: 07709 487961/0 or email info@trinitypr.co.uk

Immediate release: June 2024

The Great British summer is fast approaching, introducing the only foot cream you’ll need in your beauty kit to get your feet ready

The sun’s finally out and after what seems like an endless Winter, our thoughts are now happily turning to summer dresses, strappy heals and flip flops. Suddenly, we need to shake off our socks and tights and get our feet prepped and ready for exposure. According to Vogue¹, 2024 summer-sandal season is all about “feel-good styles” – an abundance of jelly shoes, “fashion” flip flops, rope sandals and crochet “fisherman’s” – so get ready to bare all and step out with confidence!

Luckily, now there’s a quick easy to use all-in-one solution, which replaces the need for foot baths, foot files, exfoliating socks and myriad creams for treating your dry feet, hard skin, corns and cracked heels. NEW to the UK market, Swedish formulated Footmender® All in One is used once a day until the desired result is achieved. Generally, you will notice a difference after just one use, massively reducing precious ‘self-care’ time and saving you money too by not having to buy multiple products!

Problems with dry feet, hard skin, corns and cracked heels are very common and affect both men and women of all ages but do become more common with age. Taking care of your feet is as important as taking care of your face or hands, and because we’re on our feet all day they are subjected to much greater stain.

How does Footmender work?

Footmender is a multi-functional footcare product with a unique, patented formula containing six active ingredients that treats, heals and restores the skin on your feet and tackles problems such as dry skin, calluses, corns and heel fissures.  While common, these problems can be painful, unsightly and even prevent you from doing the things you love, including wearing those latest Summer sandals. This Class IIa Medical Device is clinically proven to have a significant effect after the first treatment, with results continuing to improve with each additional day of treatment, supporting your feet in the following eight ways:

• Antimicrobial effect that prevents the regrowth of microorganisms for at least 12 hours.
• Exfoliating action with the ability to remove dead skin cells.
• Binds and retains moisture in the skin.
• Softens the skin.
• Reduces skin sensitivity and slows the release of water.
• Stabilises skin cell renewal and helps the skin to regain its natural protective function.
• Stimulates the healing of cracked skin and acts as a skin softener and moisturiser.
• Strengthens the skin’s barrier effect and restores the natural elasticity of the feet’s skin.

All-in-one: one product, once a day

Apply Footmender ®once a day until the desired result is achieved. The airless, hygienic pump feature gives you the exact dosage. Use two pump strokes of Footmender per foot, rubbing gently into the skin for at least one minute.  The cream leaves no unsightly residue on the skin and is absorbed quickly and contains no perfumes or ingredients of animal origin so is perfect for vegans and pregnant women.

Pricing and efficacy:

RRP: £28.99. Footmender All in One 100 ml is sufficient for approximately 25 treatments. Based on a one-week treatment course followed by the recommended maintenance therapy of 1-2 times a week, it will last for between two and a half to four months.

Where can I purchase Footmender?

Sweden’s NO1² footcare product Footmender is now stocked in Boots and Well Pharmacy stores across the UK and online.

For more information visit: www.footmender.co.uk or follow us on Instagram @footmender_all_in_one

ENDS

For further information, product samples or a media comment, contact Tami Keefe or Caroline Beswick at Trinity PR via tamara.keefe@trinitypr.co.uk or caroline.beswick@trinitypr.co.uk or call 0770 948 7960

Notes to editors

Medical device: Footmender is classified as a Class IIa Medical Device according to the European medical devices legislation. This means that Footmender’s effect is well documented and that it is manufactured using a strict and regulated process that meets predetermined requirements.

References:

1. https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/sandal-trends-2024#:~:text=Sandals%20are%20naturally%20a%20key,flip%20flops%20and%20crochet%20fishermans
2. IQVIA MAT w12, 2024