Having healthy feet is important because you feel good and stay active. Neglecting your feet can result in unnecessary pain and other foot problems, and that is according to the American Podiatric Medical Association’s spokesperson and a podiatrist in Chicago Elizabeth Kurtz, DPM.

But the good thing is it isn’t that hard to keep them healthy. The tips below are going to help you have healthy feet and avoid pain.

Keeping your feet dry and clean

Good hygiene is the foundation of healthy feet. Clean and scrub your feet thoroughly using water and soap when bathing. After you are done washing, dry them well. Moisture is not good because of fungal organisms like such environments. It is hard for them to thrive in a dry area. When drying your feet, make sure you dry between the toes. When you forget between the toes, it can create a great environment for a fungal infection.

Examining your feet for any problems

Once a week, perform a foot self-exam when taking a shower or bath. When you dry off your feet, try to look at the soles of your feet and see whether there is any scaling between the toes or even peeling. These are the signs of athlete’s foot. Look at your nails for any discoloration of the nails because it could be a sign of nail fungus. For diabetics, they have to inspect their feet every day because diabetes has been shown to increase risks of foot sores and infections.

Cut your toenails properly

When cutting your nails, make sure you cut straight across and avoid trimming close to your skin, and also avoid rounding the corners of your nails because they can lead to pain and ingrown toenails.

Protecting your feet in public areas

When in the gym, locker areas, or public pools, make sure you wear shower shoes. Such places are common breeding grounds for fungi that can result in infections.

Remember To Relax

If your feet often feel tired, make sure you are doing everything you can to get proper rest and give yourself enough time to recover. People who work 
specific jobs sometimes have to stay on their feet all day long and in these cases, fatigue will be almost inevitable. Consider getting a vibrating foot massager to ease the pain, especially if you work a job that requires you to stand throughout most of the day.

Avoid sharing footgear

Wearing other people’s shoes is not a good idea because you can get fungal infections. This is also the same case with socks. You shouldn’t rent. Have your own footgear to make sure your feet are healthy. This is applicable to sports, running shoes, gold shoes – invest in golf insoles to ensure they fit properly.

Heading off sweaty feet

Each of your feet has 25,000 sweat glands. Perspiration provides the perfect environment for bacteria. Wear socks that keep your feet dry to keep them healthy. The best socks are those made of synthetic fibers because they wick away moisture faster compared to wool or cotton socks. Don’t wear tight pantyhose a lot because they can trap moisture.

Choosing breathable footwear

The best shoes are those made of leather because they allow air to circulate, which is going to keep your feet dry and healthy. If your feet sweat a lot, choose shoes made of mesh fabrics because they have maximum breathability.

Wearing shoes that fit properly

Wearing tight shoes can cause a lot of problems for your feet. Choose the right shoes so that they can compensate for the foot swelling common at the end of the day. When shopping for shoes, make sure you wear the same type of socks you are going to wear with the shoes. The shoe needs to be broad and rounded to give enough room for your toes. It also needs to have a wide and stable heel. Point shoes are not good because they can cramp your toes and can cause calluses and ingrown toenails.

Knowing when to see a doctor

You shouldn’t try to treat your feet issues. Trying to treat the problem on your own can make things worse. Any redness, pain, discoloration, or swelling that persists has to be checked out by a podiatric physician. The physician will have a look at the problem and prescribe medicine or a minor in-office procedure. Visiting a doctor is important because it will prevent a small problem from becoming serious.

Published: 2021-12-03 23:17:14