The feet are one of the most neglected yet important parts of our body. We tend to ignore our feet until they betray us by giving way to injuries such as bunions, corns, calluses, etc.
Feet take the brunt of the abuse in our daily lives. Shoes that are too tight, too loose, or just plain bad for your foot type can wreak havoc on your tootsies, forcing them into a downward spiral of calluses, cracking heels, dry skin, and even more discomfort.
Foot health is an important part of overall health. Having healthy feet is more than just about being comfortable, it’s about doing the best you can to avoid serious foot problems down the line.
Keep your feet healthy and maintain their softness by following these ten practical foot care tips.
Why Foot Care is Important
Foot care is an important part of overall wellness. Your feet are used every time you walk, run, or stand. They are also subjected to a lot of pressure and strain, which can cause many problems such as pain, swelling, and even infection.
Here are the most important reasons:
Foot Care Helps Prevent Infections
It is not uncommon for people to get infections in their feet. This is due to poor hygiene and the use of dirty shoes and socks. Poor hygiene can lead to bacteria build-up, which increases the risk of infection.
Poor Foot Care Can Lead to Other Health Problems
If you have bad circulation, poor blood flow and poor blood circulation, in general, can lead to other health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and much more.
This is because when your heart has a hard time pumping blood through your body, it will not be able to circulate oxygen properly through your body either. This can cause further complications such as kidney failure and even death.
How to Keep Your Feet Healthy and Soft
Wear comfortable shoes
Shoes that are too tight or too loose can cause problems in your feet, such as blisters and calluses. You should wear comfortable shoes that fit properly and allow your toes to move freely.
You should also wear socks that absorb sweat and do not cause friction against the skin on your feet.
Exfoliate regularly
Exfoliating is an important part of foot care because it helps remove dry skin cells which block pores and lead to infection if left untreated.
Exfoliating also helps prevent infections by removing dead cells on the surface of your skin which could become infected by bacteria present on the floor where you walk or in the dust around your house.
Exfoliating hydrates dry skin by allowing moisture to penetrate deeper layers of skin cells.
Remove dead skin
Use a pumice stone on rough spots to remove dead skin cells before you moisturize your feet with lotion or cream. You can also use a foot file, but be careful not to overuse it because it can damage your skin if used too often and too vigorously.
Wear socks from natural fibers
Try wearing socks made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, or bamboo instead of synthetic fiber socks which tend to be more abrasive against the skin on your feet and cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Wash your feet regularly
Foot washing is one of the best foot care tips you can follow. The main reason for this is that washing your feet regularly helps to remove dead skin cells and dirt from your feet, which can cause infections if not cleaned properly.
In addition to cleaning your feet, it also prevents bad odor from developing in between your toes. Therefore, you must wash your feet at least once a day with warm water and soap or any other skin cleanser that you prefer.
Moisturize your feet
Moisturizing keeps your feet soft and supple by reducing cracks and calluses on them. It also protects them against infection by absorbing excess moisture from inside the pores of the skin so that bacteria cannot grow there easily.
Trim your toenails properly
Your nails should be trimmed at least once a week to avoid ingrown nails. If you have a nail fungus or another infection, trimming your nails will help prevent spreading it to other people or surfaces.
Take good care of your sweaty feet
Your feet sweat because they are designed to absorb moisture from your body and release it into the air. While this is beneficial in hot weather (keeping your feet cool), it can cause problems when there’s too much moisture in one place for too long.
This causes your skin to become soft, which makes it easier for bacteria to get in and cause an infection.
Soak your feet frequently
Soaking your feet in warm water helps remove dead skin cells and unclogs pores, which can prevent infections from forming on your feet or in between them. Soaking also helps relax tired muscles while reducing stress levels.
Never walk around barefoot on concrete floors
If you’re a fan of going barefoot inside the house, you may want to reconsider your habit. Walking around on concrete floors can damage your feet.
When walking barefoot, the pressure from the ground causes your skin to rub against the floor and causes calluses and corn to form. Wearing shoes will protect your feet from this kind of damage.
Your feet should be checked regularly
Walking around in shoes all day can make it difficult for you to know what’s going on with your feet. If you don’t have regular checkups at a podiatrist, you may not realize that there’s an issue until it’s too late.
Your podiatrist will be able to help you notice problems before they become serious enough that they require surgery or other invasive treatment options.
Conclusion
The feet are the most neglected part of our body, and yet they bear all of our weight every single day. It’s important to keep them healthy and free from problems like calluses so they can be comfortable and last a long time.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on products that claim to make your feet smooth in a week, you just need to remember these pointers! While it will take some time for hard skin to soften or calluses to heal, when you apply these foot care tips daily, you will notice a big difference over time.
For best results, consult with a podiatrist that specializes in feet if you have any serious foot issues.
