9 Ways to Take Care of Your Feet At Home

You may not always place a lot of emphasis on foot care, yet your feet serve you in many ways and are subjected to a number of stressors over the course of the day.

While we are facing a lot of uncertainty in the upcoming weeks, we can look at the bright side: now is the ideal time to think about the health of your feet.

Here are some of our top tips on how to take care of your feet during this time of physical distancing:

1. Keep your feet clean and dry. Healthy feet start with good hygiene. Make sure to thoroughly clean and scrub your feet with soap and water when having a shower, and afterwards dry them well. Remember, fungal organisms love moisture, so keeping your feet dry will make it harder for them to thrive.

2. Examine your feet for problems. Perform a foot self-exam once a week when you take a bath or shower. Look at your soles for any scaling and between your toes for peeling areas. Also look for discolouration of the nails. If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day, as this condition leads to a higher risk of sores and infections. (Diabetic Foot Care)

3. Cut your toenails properly. Cut your nails straight across and avoid trimming too close to your skin or rounding the corners of the nails, as these can result in painful ingrown toenails.

4. Don’t hide ugly toenails with polish. A thick, cracked, or discoloured nail could be a sign of nail fungus. Applying nail polish to an infected nail could just make the problem worse.

5. Wear shoes that fit correctly. Shoes that are too tight can cause long-term foot problems. Make sure to choose broad, rounded shoes with plenty of room for your toes, and a wide and stable heel. Avoid pointy shoes whenever you can as these can cramp your toes and cause calluses.

6. Limit wearing flip flops. Avoid wearing flip flops as much as you can. They don’t support your feet and they can give you arch and heel-pain if you wear them too much.

7. Soften your skin. Frequent exfoliating isn’t just about your feet looking good. Thickly callused skin can crack, leading to pain and infections. You can opt for pumice based pastes or scrubs, but avoid razors or callus scrapers as these can break your skin and cause an infection. Remember to rub gently!

8. Let your feet breathe. While you are at home, it’s a good idea to let your feet breathe. The sweat and dirt that builds in your shoes during the day can create a breeding ground for athlete’s foot and other diseases.

9. Massage your feet regularly. Why not take five minutes out of your day to massage your feet? Not only will this keep your feet healthy and free from problems, but it will also improve blood circulation to your legs.