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Deborah Meaden health: ‘I have permanent pain’ – the Dragons’ Den host on metatarsalgia

Dragons’ Den: Deborah Meaden says ‘bluffing’ annoys her

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“I still have permanent pain in the balls of my feet,” Deborah Meaden revealed. Known as metatarsalgia, the condition came about after she spent “10 hours a day waltzing” in preparation for Strictly Come Dancing. The businesswoman entered the dancing competition in September 2013 – nearly eight years ago. Yet in 2018, when speaking to Closer magazine, Deborah referenced the foot pain as “a constant reminder that [she] did the show”.

The 62-year-old added: “I put too much pressure on them.”

Metatarsalgia

The NHS suggested seven self-care tips to help remedy pain felt in the ball of the foot.

The first tip is to “rest and raise your foot when you can”, followed by putting an ice pack on the affected area for up to 20 minutes at a time.

When choosing which shoes to wear, make sue they’re “wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole”.

For extra comfort, you can add soft insoles or pads to put into the shoes.

“Try to lose weight if you’re overweight,” added the national health body, and remember to do “regular gentle stretching exercises”.

To help cope with achy and painful feet, paracetamol is a good painkiller to use.

When it comes to metatarsalgia, people are advised not to stand “for long periods of time”.

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In addition, high heels or tight pointy shoes are not recommended, as they can make the pain worse.

Depending on the symptoms, foot pain can be indicative of different conditions.

For example, after intense or repetitive exercise, symptoms of a sprained metatarsal include:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising

If there’s a sharp, burning or shooting pain near the toes (i.e. the balls of the foot), it could be Morton’s neuroma.

This could also be true when the painful symptoms are accompanied by a lump felt under the foot.

If the foot area is red and swollen, and there’s a dull aching pain it could be bursitis or arthritis.

Any hard, bony lump near the big toe is considered a bunion, why may also hurt.

If you’re having foot pain that doesn’t improve with any self-care measures, do book an appointment with your GP.

Meanwhile, Deborah hasn’t allowed her foot pain to affect her everyday life.

In fact, she’s confessed to be doing “quite a lot” of business on her Twitter page.

During lockdown, Deborah even went on air with former Made In Chelsea stars Jamie Laing and Spencer Matthew on their 6 Degrees podcast.

Deborah Meaden will be back on a new series of BBC One’s Dragon’s Den, Thursday April 1 at 8pm.

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