English for Pta
FOOT-CARE
Seite 1/1 4 Minuten
The list of disorders of the foot is a long one. They range from osteoarthritis, Achilles tendonitis, calluses, and corns, to diabetic foot infections. People with fallen or high arches are likely to suffer from plantar fasciitis, also known as heel-pain syndrome, but wearing high heels for longer periods, or thin-soled, extremely flat shoes, may also affect fasciitis. The fascia run from the base of the heel to the toes, and anything that puts pressure on the fascia can lead to injury or inflammation. A regular foot care program can prevent a lot of foot problems.
Female pharmacy customer: Hello, do you speak English?
PTA: Hello, yes I do. How may I help you? I need some advice on foot care.
What is the problem? My heels are very hard and dry, and there are large calluses on my big toes.
We all tend to get dry feet in the winter. The thing is that I’m going on holiday in three weeks and when I tried on my sandals, I thought: “No way!”
So, let’s look at some foot care products to have your feet presentable in time for your holiday. I checked the internet, of course, but there is so much information, that you can’t see the wood for the trees!
Vocabulary
| foot-care | Fußpflege |
|---|---|
| ill-fitting | schlecht passend, schlechtsitzend |
| disorders | Erkrankungen |
| osteoarthritis | Arthrose, Gelenkverschleiß |
| tendonitis | Sehnenentzündung |
| calluses | Schwielen, Hornhaut |
| corns | Hühneraugen |
| fallen arches | Senkfüße |
| high arches | Hohlfüße |
| heel-pain | Fersenschmerz |
| advice | Beratung |
| presentable | vorzeigbar |
| ingrown toenails | eingewachsene Zehennägel |
| damp | feucht |
| bath supplement | Badezusatz |
| pumice | Bims |
| callus remover | Hornhautentferner (mechanisch) |
| moisturize | befeuchten, mit Feuchtigkeits- creme eincremen |
That’s what we are here for. Let’s get started with your nails: do you have any problems with ingrown toenails or maybe a fungal infection? No, thank goodness. I once had a fungal infection, and it took ages of treatment to get rid of it.
You said that you also have calluses on your big toes. You don’t have a hallux valgus, do you? Do you mean a bunion? No, I don’t. My parents always made sure that we wore sensible shoes when we were young.
You said that your heels were very dry, are they cracked at all? No, not yet. I want to avoid that, you never know what you might pick up in the sauna. I always wear flip flops when I shower there and make sure to dry my feet before putting on my socks and outdoor shoes again.
That’s good. Before removing calluses, you need to make sure that the feet are damp. You can soak your feet in warm water with this foot bath supplement for 10 to 15 minutes. I’ll take that.
After soaking, dry your feet, and use a pumice stone, or a callus remover for the hard skin. This one here is our best-seller, I use it myself and it’s very effective at removing hard skin. After peeling, it is important to moisturize. Which moisturizer do you recommend?
Products with urea are great moisturizing creams. I certainly need that! You are on your feet all day, how do you manage?
I wear comfortable shoes, not too tight and not too flat. I also do a little foot massage with a foot roller when I have the time. You have been a great help. Thank you, so much!
No problem, here you are. Thanks again. Goodbye!
Bye!
Den Artikel finden Sie auch in die PTA IN DER APOTHEKE 04/19 ab Seite 52.
Catherine Croghan, Lecturer in English and native speaker