Importance of Preexisting Physical Factors in the Development of Dermatological and Muscular Lesions During Hiking

Abstract

Hiking has become very popular due to the physical and mental health benefits it provides. Skin lesions may occur with hiking and various factors contribute to their development. Although some lesions may appear to have little importance, something as simple as chaffing can cause serious ulcers in people with at-risk feet. Few studies have analyzed preexisting physical characteristics in hiking and addressed the development of lesions in hikers. This observational and longitudinal study examines the development of foot lesions during hiking, taking into account the influence of existing skin disorders, nail disorders, and/or toe deformities and other intrinsic factors of participants. The feet of 109 hikers doing a 29.6-km hike were analyzed, considering the intrinsic factors of participants and the possible influence of these factors in the development of foot lesions during the walk. The results show that some preexisting physical factors of participants such as gender, existing systemic disease, preexisting keratosis, dermatosis, nontraumatic and traumatic onychopathies, and toe deformities significantly predispose to the development of skin lesions. These factors also predispose to muscle lesions except for nontraumatic and traumatic onychopathies and toe deformities. Due to the influence of preexisting physical factors, such as preexisting keratosis, dermatosis, and toe deformities, in the development of foot lesions in hikers, it is worthwhile and advisable to check these factors before a hike to reduce the incidence of foot disorders. Ensuring adequate podiatry treatment a few days before the walk and warmup of muscles properly before starting are recommended.

Prevalence of foot disorders according to chronic kidney disease stage

“…The foot disorders observed in people with CKD showed higher percentages than those reported in recent studies on control populations, sportspeople and people with psychiatric disorders (Pérez Pico et al, 2019; Pérez‐Pico, Marcos‐Tejedor, Iglesias‐Sánchez, & Acevedo, 2018), highlighting the need to provide podiatry care for this population.…”

“…Exploration of the nails was made in a dorsal nail vision: proximal, distal, lateral, and medial area, bed, lunula and nail channels. In a frontal nail view was explored the subungual and distal areas (Perez Pico, Mingorance Álvarez, Caballé Cervigón, & Mayordomo Acevedo, 2019). Onychomycosis was diagnosed in the laboratory.…”

Effectiveness of a Central Discharge Element Sock for Plantar Temperature Reduction and Improving Comfort

“…The sock has been identified as an external conditioning factor in the development of lesions [ 36 ], and zones of the foot which are sensitive or have some pre-existing pathology may predispose an individual to the development of dermal lesions [ 37 ]. Therefore, the use of the proposed experimental sock in subjects with metatarsalgia, plantar hyperkeratosis, blisters, or plantar hypersensitivity would protect the central zone from excessive friction with the shoe and could help prevent pain or the appearance of dermal lesions.…”

Pilot Study: The Relationship between Foot Posture and Movement Quality in Non-Professional Male Football Players

“…Some studies have highlighted that the repetitive use of sporty gestures in a poor manner, associated with a foot type that is far from "normal", is a risk factor for the development of injuries in the athlete [7,8,13]. The development of different skin lesions on the foot or deformities of them can be precursors to muscular injuries [14]. Although it is possible that the dynamic interaction of several factors can lead to a higher or lower likelihood of injury, foot posture is one of the most important, as variations in foot posture are suggested to influence lower limb function [15][16][17].…”