The foot is an incredibly important part of the body, supporting the weight of the upper body and legs, and providing essential shock absorption. For this reason, it’s important to take care of it. Foot problems can be painful and embarrassing, but with proper hygiene and treatment you can have healthy, beautiful feet.
To prevent brittle, dry skin on your feet, apply an intensive, moisturising foot cream regularly. This will keep the skin soft and also help to hinder the formation of hard, callused skin. Look for a formula that contains exfoliating ingredients to speed up skin cell turnover, like salicylic acid and glycolic acid, and skin-smoothing agents such as shea butter, urea, and tea tree oil.
A foot bath or warm foot care methods soak may relax your feet and help to relieve soreness after a long day of walking, running, and jumping. Just don’t soak your feet for more than 20 minutes to avoid drying the skin and making it more prone to cracking and scaly patches.
Regular exercise helps promote blood flow to the feet and ankles, and can reduce the risk of foot and ankle injuries such as sprains and strains soft-tissue injury and fractures breaks in the bone. It’s also important to wear comfortable shoes that fit well and don’t rub or pinch your toes. Try to change your shoes throughout the day, especially if you have a lot of walking or standing to do.
Always trim your nails straight across, and gently file away any sharp corners or rough edges with an emery board. Never cut your cuticles the skin at the base of the nail, called the eponychium as this can lead to bleeding and increase the risk of infection. If you are unsure about how to trim your toenails correctly, see a podiatrist or a dermatologist.
Keeping your feet clean is important to prevent infections and fungus, such as athlete’s foot. Wash your feet daily, but no more than twice a day, with lukewarm water and a mild soap. After washing, be sure to dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes, as this is a common area for fungal infections.
If you have sweaty feet, a good foot powder or antiperspirant can be helpful. This can help control sweat, which can contribute to odor and the growth of fungus.
Runners, hikers, and walkers often remain blister-free by using lubricants and other products to keep the skin of their feet from becoming too dry. These products include lubricants, shea butter, and urea that can penetrate deep into the skin to keep it moisturised. They are available in gels, ointments, and lotions, and can be applied to the feet before and after activity.