Your feet need to be cared for as much as any part of your body. But when they're tucked away in your socks and shoes, it can be easy to forget about them unless they're hurting. You ask a lot from your feet, so it's important to give them the care that they deserve. They can experience a range of health problems, from issues with the skin on your feet to the soft tissues that help to support them. If you want to be healthier, one of the most important things you can do is pay a little more attention to your feet.
Keep Them Clean and Moisturized
Keeping yourself clean is a must if you want to stay healthy. Just as you clean other parts of yourself regularly, make sure you also wash your feet. When you're showering or bathing, give them a scrub to get rid of dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells. However, it's a good idea to avoid soaking your feet. If you soak them too much, it could actually dry out your feet as it leeches moisture from the skin. Moisturizing your feet is important too, especially as they can be prone to dry, hard skin.
Wear the Right Shoes
The right shoes are crucial if you want to care for your feet. You need to give your feet the right support so that you can walk comfortably. Ideally, your shoes should fit you well and shouldn't pinch or rub. They should also offer good arch support. Some people may need to be very particular about their shoes. People with diabetes may benefit from SAS diabetic shoes to protect their feet from the foot problems that can be experienced by people with the condition. You might also consider certain shoes for back problems or certain foot conditions. Another smart idea is to rotate your shoes so you're not always wearing the same pair.
Check for Injuries or Problems
It's good to check your feet on a regular basis to see how healthy they are. See if there are any cuts, sores, infected toenails, or anything else that may worry you. There are some things that you can easily address on your own if you notice a problem. For example, you can keep a small cut clean and it should heal on its own. However, some foot problems might require a visit to your doctor or a podiatrist to address them properly and get the right treatment.
Take Care of Your Toenails
As well as caring for your feet in general, remember to check on your toenails. One of the most important things to do is keep them trimmed and make sure that you only cut straight across. If you don't, you could increase the chance of an ingrown nail. Nail infections can also be a problem, but you can often treat these with over-the-counter treatments. If you have any issues you can't solve yourself, see a doctor.
Taking good care of your feet will allow you to live your life to its fullest thanks to having healthier feet.
