Smoking and Its Effects on Skin

Tobacco smoke contains thousands of harmful substances, many of which are known mutagens and carcinogens. Smoking has been associated with heart disease, lung disease, and cancer. It is also linked to premature aging of the skin, increased amount of infections, and delayed wound healing. In addition, the majority of inflammatory skin diseases tend to more severely affect smokers than non-smokers, and smokers typically respond more poorly to therapy than non-smokers.

Short-term effects of smoking on the skin and mucous membranes include yellowing of the fingers and nails, discoloration of the teeth, and even a black hairy tongue. Long-term effects include dry skin, uneven skin pigmentation, baggy eyes, a saggy jawline, and deeper facial wrinkles and furrows. It is common for the skin of a 40-year-old heavy smoker to resemble that of a 70-year-old nonsmoker. The exact connection between smoking and these effects are unknown, but current theories include the breakdown of elastic fibers in the skin, narrowing of blood vessels, production of free radicals, and reduced levels of vitamin A in the skin.

Smoking slows the body’s ability to heal itself by decreasing blood flow and inhibiting inflammation. This can cause persistent wounds, increased risk of infection and illness, and increased risk of graft rejection in the skin. Smoking has been linked to increased severity in several dermatologic diseases including palmoplantar pustulosis, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, systemic lupus erythematosus, and various vascular and oral diseases.

The carcinogens in cigarette smoke greatly increase the user’s risk of developing a variety of cancers. Smoking doubles the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. The majority of oral and lip cancer cases occur in smokers.

It is important to note that while nicotine replacement is safer than smoking, nicotine itself is toxic and causes narrowing of blood vessels, inhibits inflammation, delays wound healing, and quickens skin aging. 

Smoking has significant short- and long-term effects on the skin and mucous membranes, some of which can be life threatening. Consult with your doctor if you need assistance in stopping smoking.

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Are There Benefits to Walking Barefoot?

Walking barefoot has recently grown in popularity. Proponents say it benefits your body and mind. But walking barefoot has its time and place. And it's not suitable for everyone. Humans started wearing shoes around 40,000 years ago to protect their feet from the elements. Since then, our shoes have become highly engineered with arch support, cushions, and shock absorbers. But have they become too supportive? While there are benefits of walking barefoot, there are also risks. 

What are the benefits of walking barefoot?

Walking barefoot has been shown to have several benefits. Here are a few of the benefits;

1. Strengthens foot and leg muscles 

Research suggests that children who walk barefoot may have stronger feet and fewer toe deformities. They may also have a more developed arch than those who often wear shoes. 

As we age, the muscles in our feet weaken, increasing the risk of falls. So taking a break from wearing shoes could give your foot muscles –– 29 of them, to be exact –– a workout. 

But there's a need for more research on barefoot walking in people of different ages. And going shoeless isn't the only way to strengthen foot and leg muscles. Switching to less supportive shoes makes a big difference. A 2021 study had adults switch from supportive footwear to minimal footwear. After 6 months, they had a 57% increase in foot strength.

2. Improves foot mechanics and ankle range of motion

Walking barefoot lets your feet move freely, which could improve your movement (foot mechanics). Research has shown improved foot structure, including a more defined arch and better mobility, in children who don't wear shoes for extended periods. Better foot mechanics can also mean fewer toe problems, such as bunions.

Barefoot walking can also change your gait or walking pattern. A study found that people who regularly walk barefoot tend to have wider feet than those who wear shoes. They may also have a shorter stride and bend their knees more when they walk. These changes reduce the impact when their feet touch the ground. However, the researchers noted that when people who usually wear shoes go barefoot, it can increase pressure on the bottom of their feet. 

3. Improves balance and posture 

Walking barefoot activates foot muscles and nerves that control balance and proprioception. Proprioception allows you to sense where your body is in space. It helps both balance and posture. As we age, improving balance is an important part of preventing falls. 

But a 2020 study found that, for older adults, wearing minimalist shoes was better than barefoot walking. It strengthened foot muscles and improved balance, while protecting the feet. 

The bottom line? Younger populations may benefit from barefoot walking for balance. Older populations should wear minimalist shoes to get the benefits without the risk of foot injuries.

4. Reduces stress 

Walking barefoot in the grass, dirt, or sand may help reduce stress and even inflammation. Having direct skin contact with the earth's surface, known as grounding, may transmit electrical charges to the body and elicit positive results. 

A very small study found that grounding helped improve mood and energy in massage therapists. Another study found that grounding helped reduce pain and inflammation. It even promoted wound healing. But there's a need for more research.

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What Makes Arch Support So Important?

What Can Happen to the Arches of Your Feet

Ligaments and tendons along the bottom of the foot support and connect the metatarsal and tarsal bones, which form distinctly curved and weight-bearing arches. If malformed or hurt through repetitive motion, sprain, or other acute injury, arches cannot do their jobs, i.e., helping you walk, run and simply stand with minimal strain on the lower extremities.

Examples of foot arch problems that your podiatrist frequently sees and treats in people of all ages include:

• Fallen arches, or flat feet
• Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory condition of the band of connective tissue stretching across the arch from the heel to the toes
• Overpronation is a gait defect in which the foot rolls toward the midline when walking or running
• Ankle sprains, an overstretching or tearing of connective tissues between bones
• Heel pain and swelling
• Cavus foot, a pronounced arch deformity caused by cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or other medical condition

How Arch Support Can Help

Arch support can help improve the pain, balance, and gait problems common to arch deformities and conditions. Available over the counter (for mildly symptomatic issues) or as custom-made orthotics from your podiatrist, arch support:

• Holds up the ligaments, tendons, and bones on the bottom of the foot
• Corrects biomechanical issues associated with how the person places the foot on the ground
• Provides impact cushioning
• Corrects balance
• Decreases pain and fatigue in the feet, ankles, and lower legs

Orthotics are customized by your podiatric team using amazing three-dimensional scans of the entire foot. Then, the data and images are analyzed to create arch supports that fit directly into footwear to deliver the support, cushioning, correction, and protection needed.

Podiatrists construct orthotics from high-quality, long-lasting materials such as carbon fiber, and while somewhat costly if health insurance does not provide coverage, the devices literally last for years. Source