While you might not spend a lot of time thinking about your feet, they’re an integral part of your body. Feet are what get you through the thousands of steps that you take each day. Yet, we stuff them into high heels, pound down the sidewalk, and rarely think about foot health.
A survey from 2014 shows that 4/5 of Americans have required medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for a foot issue. This can range from having an ingrown toenail to experiencing athlete’s foot or serious foot pain. If you have foot problems or want to be sure to avoid them, read on to learn about the best foot care tips.
Wash and Dry Your Feet Every Day
One of the most important things you can do for your feet is to wash them every day using lukewarm water. Try to avoid cold or hot water as it can damage the skin, especially if you have diabetes and decreased skin sensation. A sponge or soft washcloth and a gentle soap should be used. Next, rinse the feet and let them dry fully before putting on socks and shoes.
When feet get sweaty, the moisture is held to them by most types of socks. Socks that are too tight or bunched up around the ankles can also create irritation or decrease blood flow. Having diabetes increases the chances of foot and ankle problems. If this applies to you, choose special socks with additional cushioning and a fiber that wicks moisture away from the feet.
Inspect the Feet on a Regular Basis For Foot Care
The next of our foot care tips is to inspect your feet. Look for cracked skin, small cuts, redness, blisters, corns, and calluses. If it’s hard or impossible to see the bottom of your feet, a hand mirror with magnification can do the trick. This is especially important if you spend time walking barefoot since your feet can come in contact with all sorts of things.
If there are any issues, speak to a physician. Foot problems should never be ignored. Those who have diabetes should check their feet every day.
Regularly and Carefully Trim Your Toenails
For quality of life, make sure the nails are trimmed but not overly short. If nails are too short, they can become ingrown, which may lead to infection or soreness. The best method is to cut the nails straight across before using an emery board to file the edges down. For those who cannot cut their own nails, a podiatrist can assist.
If you choose to go to a nail salon, ask them to be careful not to cut them too short or injure the skin while filing down the edges. A pumice stone can be used to remove calluses while you’re already doing the cutting.
Wear Shoes That Fit Well
When shoes fit poorly, it can lead to blisters that cause infection or other issues. Your shoes should not irritate the feet. Make sure the shoes support your feet and ankles, so you are safe when you are walking. You don’t want the shoes to wear the bottom of your feet due to being ill-fitting.
This is one of the most important foot care tips, so be sure you get it right. A professional can help you ensure the shoes fit well for activities or everyday walking. In some cases, shoe inserts or specific types of shoes are needed for appropriate support.
Keep in mind that shoes only last a certain amount of time. Each time you use them, the tread, support, and cushioning are breaking down little by little. Wearing them beyond their lifespan can cause knee, leg, and foot pain or issues like plantar fasciitis.
Moisturize Your Feet at Night
This is one of the simple foot care tips that many people should implement. You want to be sure that your feet are healthy and soft. The best method to ensure that is moisturizing the feet each night. This also works to prevent cracking and itching. You can lotion the feet but avoid letting it get between your toes.
Final Thoughts on Foot Care
Some people think that foot pain happens to everyone and is normal and even at times may overlook an ingrown nail. That’s not the case. If your feet hurt all the time, this may be a sign of an illness, irritation, or injury. Reach out to a podiatrist to have them take a look at your feet. Then you can address any problems that you might have.
We are located in South East and West Florida, with foot clinics in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Coconut Creek, Central Fort Myers and St. Petersburg. For a complete list please visit our locations page.
