6 Simple Tips For Healthy Feet
Following a few simple tips can go a long way to ensuring your feet stay in healthy condition. Here are 6 easy to implement tips we recommend:
Wash Your Feet Every Day
When wearing socks all day - whether that be running, going for a walk or just going about your day to day life, - it is easier than you’d think to build up sweat. This is why it is important to wash your feet everyday, with warm and soapy water, and crucially don’t forget to clean between your toes! This can help to prevent fungal infections, such as Athlete’s foot.
Pay Attention To Your Socks
Whilst we’ve talked about cleaning your feet daily, we really need to recommend changing your socks daily too! Fresh socks everyday will help to avoid sweaty feet in the first place, as fungus and bacteria grows in sock fibres, leading to fungal and bacterial infections. Also make a note of any holes in your socks - they might be an indicator of badly fitting footwear - especially if you’re seeing it across multiple pairs!
Trim Your Toenails Regularly
Whilst cutting your toenails is one thing, technique is just as important! When cutting your toenails, make sure you cut straight across - not too short and don’t cut down at the corners. Cutting your nails incorrectly can lead to an ingrown toenail, which may lead to pain or even surgery.
Keep Your Feet Moisturised
Dry or hard skin on your feet is not unusual - think of the day to day rigours they go through! In that same way you’d moisturise dry hands it’s important to moisturise your feet too. Try doing this daily, but NOT between your toes as this can lead to fungal infections.
Wear The Correct Footwear
It’s important that you wear well-fitting shoes in your actual, proper, no-excuses, size! Ok - we’ve all just squeezed into a pair that we really REALLY like, but wearing shoes that are too small or even too big inevitably leads to issues such as blisters, calluses and general pain. More problematic is that this can also lead on to further issues by altering your natural stride and that’s not worth the risk.
Check Your Feet
When was the last time you actually checked your feet? We all need to check our feet more - every week is recommended. We’re looking to spot any potential issues early so that they don’t worsen unnecessarily - so check your nails, between your toes and both the top and bottom of your feet - if you do notice anything you’re concerned about or something has changed then book in with your local Podiatrist and they can take it from there.