If you want to remain active and feel your best, then you need to have healthy feet. However, neglecting your feet can lead to a number of foot issues and pain according to Elizabeth Kurtz. She is a spokesperson and podiatrist located in Chicago and represents the APMA – American Podiatric Medical Association.
Thankfully, there are many ways that you can take care of your feet and make sure they’re healthy. Be sure to follow the tips below to improve the health of your feet.
Ensure your feet are always dry and clean. In order to have healthy feet, you need to have good hygiene. You should always use soap and water to clean your feet and scrub them. Then, make sure to thoroughly dry them. This is important because fungus thrives in moisture. So, once your feet aren’t wet, then fungus won’t be able to grow. Make sure that you take the time to dry the spaces between your toes since moisture in these spaces can cause a fungal infection.
Regularly check your feet for issues. Do a self exam of your feet at least one time per week when you go to shower. Also, when drying your feet, be sure to examine your soles and between your toes for peeling, scales etc. If you do notice these issues, then it could potentially be athlete’s foot. Be sure to also look at the nails to see if there is any nail fungus. If you suffer from diabetes, then closely look at your feet on a daily basis since this illness increases your chances of getting a foot infection and sores.
Properly cut your toenails. The nails should be cut in a straight fashion, right across and don’t trim them too near to your skin. Avoid rounding the corners too much since this can result in ingrown nails which are very painful.
Avoid using nail polish to hide disfigured toenails. If you have a crumbling, thick and discolored toenails, then this shows that you may have nail fungus. If you put nail polish on these nails, it can actually worsen its condition.
When in public areas, always protect your feet. If you need to use the locker room in the gym always wear shower shoes. This also applies when using public pools. These areas usually have a lot of fungi that can easily cause foot infections.
Don’t share your shoes or other footwear. It is very easy to get a fungal infection by using shoes that other people wear. This includes wearing other people’s socks according to Kurtz. You should also avoid wearing rental shoes. It is best to only wear your own shoes to ensure your feet remain healthy.
Avoid sweaty feet. Each of your feet have around 250,000 sweat glands which means they perspire quite a lot. However, sweaty feet can cause a lot of bacteria to grow. You should wear socks that will ensure your feet are always dry. It is best to use socks that are constructed from synthetic fibers as opposed to cotton or wool because they remove moisture a lot faster. You shouldn’t wear pantyhose that is too tight since this can also cause moisture to get trapped.
Footwear should be breathable. In order for your feet to remain dry and in good health, it is best to wear leather shoes since these shoes allow for the easy circulation of air around your feet. If you generally have very sweaty feet, then buy shoes that are constructed out of mesh fabrics since these will be the most breathable. It is very important if you are diabetic to take care of your feet and choose the right footwear. Diabetic shoes are designed specifically for diabetics requirements.
Shoes should fit well. If you wear shoes that are too tight, then these can easily cause long term foot issues. Be sure to buy shoes that can adjust to feet that swell in the latter part of the day. The shoes should also have enough room for your toes as well as a heel that is strong and stable. Don’t wear pointed shoes since these can easily cause cramps, calluses and ingrown toenails.
Go to a doctor when needed. If you have foot problems, don’t attempt to fix them on your own. Unfortunately, many people do this and make the problem even worse. If you have pain in your feet, discoloration, redness or swelling, then be sure to go to a podiatric doctor. In most cases, this doctor would be able to fix the problem with prescribed medication or a simple procedure at their office. This is very important so that these small issues don’t become bigger ones.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.
