By Sam Fowler, PMAC, Office Manager, Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates
Some people love being tickled, but for others, being tickled feels like an ancient form of Chinese torture and is no laughing matter. Some tickle studies (yes there are actual scientific studies on tickling) have suggested that the armpits are the most ticklish spot on the body. But working in a podiatrist’s office, I can attest to the fact that a large number of people are extremely ticklish on their feet — 38 percent to be exact!
In fact, an ongoing Boston crime is evidence of the commonality of ticklish feet. Boston Police confirmed that there is a “serial tickler” on the loose terrorizing college students. “The Tickler,” as he’s known by, breaks into homes, not to steal anything, but rather to tickle residents’ feet. Reports suggest this criminal has been around for over two years and has harassed an unknown number of victims.
The Serious Side
Hypersensitivity in feet is very common and can be noticeable when a person is tickled or has a foot massage or pedicure. However, it can also be a sign of the early stages of diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy (or nerve damage from diabetes) is a condition where diabetic patient’s extremities experience deterioration in nerve function. A gradual loss of feeling in the feet, legs, hands, and arms is experienced. Patients can experience numbness, burning, tingling, “pins and needles,” or a tickling sensation.
Neuropathy can be very dangerous as the loss of sensation takes away the natural ability for the body to feel irritation. As a result, the nerves are unable to warn the patient to sense minor injuries which can lead to an infection. Imagine placing your hands on a hot stove or stepping on a tack, but not being able to feel it. When your body loses the ability to warn you of these dangers, you are at increased risk of developing infections or other problems due to the unknown injury.
Treatments for peripheral neuropathy vary depending on the cause and the severity. There are oral medications, vitamin supplementations, and topical medications to help with the symptoms. The most important thing for a diabetic is to control their blood sugar. Controlled blood sugar actually minimizes the symptoms of neuropathy.
For help with any foot or ankle problem, you may contact Dr. Melissa Lockwood at 309-661-9975, or www.heartlandfootandankle.com. Her office is located at 10 Heartland Drive in Bloomington and she offers evening and weekend appointments.
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