Your feet take you across the world. Return the favour by taking care of them.
The feet are one part of the body that many do not pay so much attention to maybe because it’s below us and gathers dust when the walk a long distance. These same feet haul us through thousands of steps per day.
It’s time to appreciate those feet with good care. Who knows, they will take you further.
Learn more about the proper soles, hygiene, and other lifestyle choices to give your feet the support they’ve been giving you so far.
Trim the toenails:
You will marvel at what you see when some people take off their shoes (some men are especially guilty of this lolz).
Check your toenails every week to see if they need trimming and trim if you don’t like them longer. Here’s a tip: For those with hard nails, it is easiest to trim nails while having a shower or foot bath.
Tips on trimming the nails:
- Before you start, wash and dry your hands.
- Use nail polish remover to take off any polish.
- When using toenail clippers, trim the nails straight across. Leave the nails a little longer at the corners so that the sharp ends don’t cut into the skin.
- Use a nail file to gently smooth the edges of the nails, especially at the corners. They may be sharp after the nails are cut straight.
- Keep the nails no longer than the tip of the toes.
- If your nails are thick and discoloured, it may be safest to have a podiatrist cut them.
Fight Fungus:
Dark and damp conditions let the funguses that cause the athlete’s foot flourish. Preventing fungal infections takes pretty simple steps; Wash your feet frequently and dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes. Wear fresh socks or other hosiery daily.
Use medicated powder or spray if you have sweaty feet as powders usually contain aluminium chloride hexahydrate to help keep feet dry.
If you have dry feet, look for an antifungal lotion and make sure to dry your feet thoroughly before you apply antifungal powder or lotion.
Moisturize:
If your heels are very dry and cracked, it’s time to go see a podiatrist or dermatologist for a prescription treatment. If they’re not that bad, there are plenty of moisturizing products from which to pick.
You might want to try some medicated heel pads to soften calluses while you walk. After you’ve exfoliated the calluses, use a heavy cream to moisturize tough skin on your heel.
Let the perfect shoe fit:
- The ball of your foot should fit comfortably in the widest part of the shoe.
- You should have enough depth so that your toes don’t rub the tops.
- When buying a new pair of shoes, stand up with the them on and make sure you have a half inch (that is about the width of your finger) between your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
- Walk around in the shoes and make sure you don’t experience any rubbing or slipping.
- If you hear “the shoe will widen after several wears” simply drop it and move on no matter how much you love the shoe.
More recent shoes like cotton slip-ons or canvas sneakers are fine. Just don’t wear them for running, hiking, or activities that require foot protection.
Minimalist running shoes are intended to mimic barefoot running by encouraging a forefoot strike, that is, the front of the foot hitting the ground first rather than the heel strike that built-up or cushioned shoes encourage. A recent study indicates that this footstrike change can make some runners more efficient, however, transitioning too fast from traditional to minimalist shoes could cause calf or shin pain.
Get Support:
Standing for a long time can make your feet sore and that is where insoles come to play. They can help make shoes more comfortable.
Look for insoles that have a plastic shell at the bottom as podiatrists say the shell makes them strong enough to provide real support.
Wear Sunscreen:
For those going to a warmer climate, wear sunscreen on the top of your feet. One with an SPF of at least 30 to your feet when you’re going barefoot or wearing open sandals is recommended.
Go ahead and show your feet some love. They do more than you realise. Do you have any questions or comments? Do share with us in the comment section.
