Jiu-jitsu is a fantastic sport to take part in because of the variety of different health benefits it can bring. From improved cardiovascular endurance to muscular strength and mental well-being, jiu-jitsu can improve your quality of life in many different ways. Unfortunately though, due to the nature of barefoot training, doing jui-jitsu can open you up to some pretty nasty problems with your feet if you fail to follow some general foot care on a daily basis. Not only can you catch fungal and viral infections from the mat, but you can also pass them on to other practitioners. Therefore, you have a responsibility to continually look after your feet and keep them as well maintained as possible.
Fungal Nail Infection
Fungal nail infections can be unsightly and in some cases painful, especially if the nail is thick and brittle and prevents proper flexion at the end of the toe. However, in most cases the condition is harmless and is just something that causes you to become a little self-conscious. Fungal nail infections are common in regular gym goers and other people who may have sweaty feet a large portion of the time because the environment around the nails is often warm and moist. The fungus will cause part of the nail to turn slightly white, as if it has been scuffed. However, over time the nail will turn thick and yellow, and when trimmed the nail will flake apart and be very dry. As a contagious infection, this means that if you're training on the mat in any martial art, there is a high chance someone else will catch the infection. To prevent this, it's a good idea to tape up the end of the nail whilst you train and seek advice from a qualified podiatrist.
Callouses
The second major condition that you can get from training barefoot is callouses. This is where added pressure on the bottom foot causes thick, dry skin to form, usually on the pads of the toes and at the front of the foot. Whilst this certainly isn't contagious, it can result in deep sore fissures that can crack and bleed in some severe cases and even become infected from the dirt on the mat. The easiest way to treat this is to use a foot scrub and deep moisturiser specifically designed for the feet. This will moisten the skin, prevent it from flaking off when rolling and also prevent odours, which can build up when the thick skin becomes moist.
Share8 December 2016
Hi, my name is Steve and I’m a keen runner. I’ve been running for fun for years. I love the buzz I get from a long run and the fact that my hobby helps keeps me fit. Last year, I started to experience problems with my feet and ankles. It started with just a few twinges and soreness but ended up getting so bad that I couldn’t run to my usual schedule any longer. I couldn’t work out what was going wrong, so a friend recommended I see a podiatrist. I was a bit sceptical at first; however, my podiatrist immediately identified some issues with my running gait and shoes that were causing my problems. I started this blog to pass on some of the advice I got for any other runners who are suddenly suffering from unexplained discomfort. Hope it helps keep you on the road!
