When it comes to your overall health, how much attention do you pay to your feet? Have you ever wondered what is the best way for you to take care of your feet? Or even how you can keep your feet as healthy as possible?
Like most other body parts, feet do need your care. Some people may suffer from poor quality of life due to foot problems and also when you are getting older, the likelihood of having foot conditions also increases.
In this blog, there are a few essential foot care tips that you can learn to help your feet avoid any foot problems both now and in the future:
- Keep Them Clean
When you shower, don’t forget to wash your feet. Some people may think that because they are standing in soapy water, their feet will automatically get clean, but that is not always the case. Give them a good rub with some soap and a cloth or sponge to get any stubborn dirt off them.
Also, after the shower, it is very important to dry your feet properly, especially in between the toes, as those areas are more prone to get fungal infection. Fungus thrives very hot, moist and wet conditions.
- Moisturise
After cleaning, make sure you moisturize your feet to lock in all that moisture from your shower or bath. This will help keep your feet soft and silky smooth. This step can also help to soften calluses on your foot and make it more comfortable.
- Examine Your Feet More Often
When you’re done drying your feet after washing them, take some time to check or observe your feet. Check in-between toes and around your soles for peeling and scaling, which can be a sign of an athlete’s foot. Moreover, check for the discoloration of the toenails that often indicate a nail fungus. Last but not least, make sure to examine if there are blisters, cuts, redness, swelling, and scratching to prevent any serious complications.
- Choose Well-Fitting Shoes
The shoes you put on your feet has a bigger impact on your foot health than you may realize. Ill-fitting footwear can lead to various foot problems such as hammer toes, bunion, calluses, corns or even muscle pain. Good shoes should be comfortable, supportive and well-fitted.
Also, always keep your shoes clean to prevent them from becoming smelly. Don’t forget to take off your shoes outside and disinfect them regularly.This may help you prevent bacteria and fungus.
- Keep Your Nails Trim
Keeping your nails trimmed and neat to avoid ingrown toenails and pain from long nails pushing on the inside of your shoes are very important. This can help to reduce any further trauma to your nail and decrease risk of ingrown toenails at later stages.
- Let Them Breathe
It’s not good to spend all day in socks and shoes. Make sure your feet have time to be free of any footwear and allow air to circulate around them. Wearing shoes with ventilation to allow air in and out is also essential for your feet to breathe. Excessive workouts or walking too much may trigger various foot problems, therefore, ensure that you let your feet rest well by placing them on a soft surface.
- Invest In Great Socks
Sock choice is just as important as your choice of shoes. If you need to wear socks, make them quality ones made from natural materials like cotton or bamboo (at least 50%). This helps your feet breathe and not get so sweaty in warmer conditions.
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Never Ignore Foot Pain
If you experience ongoing and frequent foot pain, it’s a sign that there’s something wrong. It can be an underlying structural problem with your foot, or it can be the shoes you’re wearing for your activities. Seek advice from your GP or a Podiatrist – don’t wait until it is too late.
- Know When You Need A Podiatrist
If you’re unsure if your feet need professional care, always consult a qualified and trusted podiatrist. They can help to diagnose any foot problems you may have and help you get your feet on the road to recovery.
If you need any further advice for your foot problems, we are here to help.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to one of us (Podiatrist) at the Footcare Clinic
