Did you know that your feet are the most abused and often used parts of the body? You walk, run, step into all kinds of places and your feet never complain. And do they get the kind of attention they actually deserve? Most likely, the answer is no.
Your feet face numerous problems ever day – from foot odour to cracked skin, corns, fungal infections to ingrown toenails. Today we’ll give you a few tips on how to keep your feet healthy and happy:
Wash every day
Washing your feet daily is a must. Your feet are exposed to a lot of dirt and dust throughout the day. The moisture and sweat is a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. So make sure you wash your feet once you get home. Use a mild soap and pay more attention to the gaps in between the toes and pat dry them with a towel. You could use a foot powder as this will keep your feet dry for longer. By following this routine, you are also making sure that your bed, where you rest and relax is clean. In addition, exfoliate your feet once a week to remove the dead skin on the heel and toes.
Comfortable shoes
Make sure you always buy a pair of shoes that fit right. If your shoes are too tight it may cause pain, hammer toe, ingrown toenails or corns. On the other hand, extra-large shoes may make you uncomfortable while you walk, cause blisters and sore heels. Did you know that your feet actually stretch out by the end of the day? So, if you want to shop for a pair of shoes, do it in the evening after you finish work! Here’s an interesting fact – your feet actually becomes slightly bigger/larger (a half size perhaps) as you age. So, if you were a size 6.5 when you were 20 years old, your feet may not fit into the same sized shoes 10 years later. Also, do not wear high-healed shoes regularly as they can damage the bones of your feet. It is OK to wear them occasionally, but for daily wear pick a pair of comfortable flat soled shoes/slipper/sandal.
Moisturise
This might sound like we are contradicting what we said earlier about keeping your feet dry. However, moisturising your feet is important. Your feet endure a lot of wear and tear throughout the day which may cause dryness and cracks. And if you wear sandals more frequently, this problem may worsen. However, the cure is quite simple. Rub in a moisturiser which contains cocoa butter every morning before stepping out. You can also do make it a nightly routine.
Always wear socks
Now that you know how important it is to wear comfortable shoes, we’ll tell you about the significance of socks. Your socks, apart from protecting your feet from the daily grime and dirt also absorb the moisture, as your feet tend to sweat through the day. And if your work requires you to stand all day or most of the day, a soft pair of socks is ideal as they add some shock absorption. Also, socks help reduce blisters and calluses.
Drink water
Did you know that dehydration may cause cracks in your feet? So, drinking eight to ten glasses of water every day is a must. When your body is hydrated, your skin automatically becomes soft and supple. In addition to drinking water, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables with high water content like water melon, oranges, pineapple, cauliflower, cabbage and carrots.
Tips for soft, supple feet
Salt soak – Dissolve half cup of baking soda and half a cup of sea salt in hot water. Soak your feet in the water till the water turns warm. Salt is anti-bacterial, baking soda softens your skin and, aids exfoliation.
Pumice stone – Use a pumice stone to scrub your heels every day. This method not just removes all the dead skin but also makes your feet soft.
Pedicure – Go for a pedicure at least once every month. You can do this at home as well. Add a mild shampoo to warm water, soak your feet for about 10 minutes and then scrub your feet with a scrubber. This will help in exfoliating and keep your heels crack free.
Photograph via sxc.hu
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