Podiatry: 4 Effective Tips to Keep Your Feet Looking Amazing Throughout the Year
Just like many other parts of the human body, feet also need to stay healthy. Sadly, many people often disregard the importance of taking good care for their feet and take them for granted despite the vital role that these lower limb parts play in terms of keeping people mobile. You don't have to spend lots of cash in a luxurious spa to have beautiful feet: You just need to use the following tips to help keep your feet in the best possible shape all year long:
Tip #1: Wash your feet regularly
Make it a habit to carefully clean your feet (especially in-between your toes) using water and a wet piece of cotton cloth as frequently as you can. Of course, that means soaking them in a bucket of clean water to soap them up and then scrub them gently to help smooth dry or rough spots. Make sure you allow the feet to dry completely to prevent problems such as bad odour or bacterial and fungal infections.
Tip #2: Use moisturisers
Moisturise your feet every time you're done washing them. During cold winter days, when your feet are most likely to dry, you may need to moisturise them even more. Nothing expensive is needed: basic body lotions and facial creams can suffice. Gently rub the moisturiser into your feet's skin to keep it soft and looking great. The most opportune time to moisturise your feet is after having a shower.
Tip #3: Allow your feet to breathe
It's good practice to remove your shoes when you arrive at home, so that you can allow them enough room to breathe. If you keep wearing shoes for long hours, buildup of sweat and foreign dirt on your feet as you go about your daily activities can create a breeding ground for various foot problems, e.g. athlete's foot. If it's winter, you should wear a clean pair of cotton socks on your dry feet, as the socks help lock in moisture.
Tip #4: Wear the right shoes
Always put on shoes that fit your feet correctly. Shoes that are too small will not only feel uncomfortable, but will also rub your feet the wrong way, thus causing foot wear problems such as painful blisters.
Also avoid walking barefoot or wearing shoes like flip-flops that lack arch support, as they can lead to foot problems such as flat-feet, which can in turn cause severer foot problems. If you must wear shoes that are without supportive arches, you should at least limit the amount of time you put them on. If you have foot problems of any sort, consider contacting a podiatrist in your area.