It’s easy to take our feet for granted; for many of us, feet aren’t body parts we spend a lot of time thinking about. But they really are the foundation of our bodies, and need to be taken care of. When our feet suffer, so do our other body parts.
To avoid uncomfortable or even serious overall health problems, follow these tips for healthy feet!
How to Maintain Proper Foot Hygiene
Studies have shown that the health of your feet seriously affects the rest of your body, so taking care of them is of the utmost importance.
#1: Keep Your Feet Dry
One of the easiest and most effective ways to care for your feet? Keeping them dry! This probably sounds like a no-brainer—who wants wet feet, right?—but it’s crucial to the health of your feet.
Even if you’re thinking you always keep your feet dry, it’s sometimes harder than you think. For example, if you find yourself wearing the same shoes everyday, they might not have time to air out in between wears. Constant moisture in your shoes can lead to fungus and athlete’s foot.
Alternating between comfortable shoes—as well as remembering to always wear clean, dry socks—is a good way to prevent these issues.
#2: Keep Your Feet Moisturized
It is a good idea, however, to keep your feet moisturized! After getting out of the shower, make sure to dry your feet off thoroughly (don’t forget in between your toes!) and apply a gentle moisturizer. This is especially helpful in the winter months when your skin is more prone to dryness and cracking.
#3: Wear Comfortable Footwear
Another simple, but very important step in foot hygiene, is wearing comfortable shoes. Wearing shoes that support your feet, don’t rub or cause pain, and don’t squish your toes can go a long way in preventing common foot ailments. These include bunions, corns, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and more. That means ditching the flip flops (or at least wearing them for shorter amounts of time!) and opting for more supportive shoes.
Another Way to Maintain Proper Foot Hygiene? See a Podiatrist!
Maintaining proper foot hygiene and health is also about awareness. Every now and then, give your feet a onceover! Do you see any bruises, scrapes, or cuts you haven’t noticed before? Are you feeling pain when you perform normal activities like walking or standing? If you think you may be suffering from a foot ailment, get in touch with Foot Specialists of Birmingham. Our podiatrists are experts in everything from gout and hammertoes to plantar warts and diabetic foot health. Get in touch with our office today to schedule an appointment!
