5 Things You Should Know About Taking Care of Your Feet
Your feet are the foundation of your body, so you want to make sure you take great care of them. Foot related issues can really hamper your ability to enjoy life. Here are five things you should know about foot care.
#1: Moisturize Your Feet
You should moisturize your feet every day. When you get out of the shower, sit down and put on some lotion. Wearing lotion daily can stop your feet from drying out and cracking. Using lotion can also decrease the rate at which you develop a callus. If you want to have smooth and undamaged feet, get into a habit of moisturizing.
#2: Get Rid of Old Shoes
You should not wear the same shoes on a daily basis for years. If you have shoes that no longer offer you the support and cushion you need, it is time to retire the shoes. You can tell if your shoes are ready to retire by placing them on a flat surface. If the shoes don't sit flat, then it's time to replace them because that usually means the shoes have worn down or worn unevenly.
#3: Shoes Should Feel Immediately Good
Third, when you try on shoes, only buy shoes that fit and feel good in the store. Don't fall for the myth that you should break-in your shoes; any shoes you wear should feel good right away. When your shoes don't fit right, they can injure your feet. Shoes that don't fit right can result in calluses and corns.
Try to avoid shoes with pointy or narrow tops, as that can increase the chances of damage to your feet. You should also avoid shoes that are flat-soled as well, as they don't provide you with the support you need to avoid a foot injury.
#4: Keep Your Feet Clean
Fourth, you need to keep your feet clean. Many people suffer from toenail fungus, which generally requires the intervention of a podiatrist in order to treat the infection. You can avoid toenail fungus by washing your feet with soap when you shower and thoroughly drying them.
If you use a public shower, such as at a gym, be sure to wear shower shoes. If you notice any of your toenails starting to look thick, file them down. If your toenails start to look strange, see your podiatrist.
#5: Don't Ignore Injuries
If you injure your feet, you shouldn't ignore the pain. For example, if you get an ingrown toenail, get treatment as an ingrown toenail can lead to a bacterial infection. If you sprain your ankle, see a podiatrist make sure all the ligaments are aligned properly.
By taking care of your feet, you should be able to avoid feet related issues. To learn more, visit a podiatrist near you.
