Basic Foot Care
Clipping toenails
Don’t clip right into the corners so as to avoid painful ingrown nails. Cut them straight across to just above the tip of each toe & file the sharp edges. A good “clipping” moment would be after a shower/bath where nails are much softer. Use a pair of toenail scissors or a clipper. An ingrown toenail results when corners of the nail curves into the skin on the side of the toe.
Alternate shoes
Give the pair worn the previous day a chance to air & breathe. Besides using products such as foot powder/spray to help eliminate smelly & sweaty feet, air your feet as often as you can. Wear fresh pairs of cotton socks, stockings or tights. Wear the size that gives you a comfortable fit. Too tight can lead to foot aches, foot cramps & painful ingrown toenails while too loose could cause blisters. . Foot bath & massage treat your feet to either a warm or cooling bath, massaging & scrubbing at the same time then dry your feet, especially between toes. . Moisturize Use a rich moisturing lotion.
Try these: shea butter exfoliating foot cream renewal & peppermint foot therapy
Stone Rub
Remove rough spots & calluses with a good quality pumice stone. Walking barefoot It is a good form of massage, helping to strengthen foot muscles, energize aching & tired feet. Wriggle your toes too so that they loosen up. . Repair or replace worn-out shoes
Shoes & Foot size
Shoes with worn-out soles & heels should be replaced or when possible repaired. If you have 1 foot bigger than the other (very common), your shoe must always fit the bigger foot. Our foot size changes as we grow older. Shoe fitting is best done late in the afternoon or in the evening when your foot is at it’s largest.
Shoe sizes are Different from manufacturer to manufacturer, so try them on before buying & don’t be tempted to grab that last pair on the shelf that is not your size.
Refrain from buying shoes that are very pointed or narrow at the front, it could force not just the toes but the whole foot to ache terribly.
Wear shoes that fit nicely onto your foot. Make sure there is a gap infront of your toes, wide enough for your toes to wriggle. Your heel must rest securely on the shoe heel. A good pair of shoes must give support & offer comfort to your feet.
High heels make you taller, attractive perhaps but they can be a problem unlike the low heels that are less damaging & safer. Nevertheless, if it’s impossible to separate you from high heels, be sure the shank is strong & stable enough to support your weight.
To avoid getting blisters, rub with a new bar of soap along the edges or areas within the shoes. . Put feet up Lift them up to relieve tiredness.
Leather Still well loved despite competition from rubber & plastic. Leather shoes when worn long enough conforms to every part of your feet even the shape of your toes!
Put on a pair of socks that you would usually wear before trying on any of the shoes:
1. Walking Has to be lightweight, gives good support & provides an adequate space between foot & shoe.
2. Running Must offer good support & cushioning. Walking shoes are not meant for running.
3. Hiking Wear hiking shoes when you are going hiking. Choose light-weight type for non-treacherous route. Athlete’s foot (Tinea pedis) mostly caused by a moisture-loving fungus called trichophyton. This infection occurs on the skin’s surface & is usually accompanied by itch, blisters, red rash or a dry & scaly rash. Some effective anti-fungal treatments include:
- Add 15-20 drops of tea tree oil in a bowl of warm water & soak feet for 15 minutes 2 to 3 times daily. Let dry.
- Apply tea tree oil directy onto affected areas 2 times a day.
- Combine 5 drops of tea tree oil with 115 ml of aloe vera juice in a spray bottle. Shake well.
- Spray onto affected areas 2 times a day. Let dry.
Aloe vera soothes itchiness. Continue with the treatment even after symptoms improved so as to ensure that the fungus will be completely eliminated.
Maintain these habits to steer clear of fungus - clean your feet & dry them well especially between toes with a hair dryer. Powder feet & shoes with antifungal powder. Wear cotton socks & change them daily. Alternate shoes - give the pair worn the previous day a chance to air & breathe. Put on sandals/slippers while in public shower or locker rooms.
