Footcare Tips - Top 22 Ways To Maintain Healthy Feet

Why is Footcare Important? A human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments. Your feet withstand the pressure of up to three times your body weight and provide you with shock absorption, balance, mobility and support. Years of wear and tear on your feet can be problematic. Make sure you have a daily footcare routine to get the best out of them!

What Problems Can Occur Without Regular Footcare? There are many issues that may occur with your feet that can cause a lot of pain and slow you down. Some of these include: fungal infections, dry skin, warts, corns and calluses, bunions, ingrown toenails, ulcers, heel spurs, etc.... Other problems that can be difficult to relieve without treatment include: plantar fasciitis, flat feet, hammertoes, claw toes Morton's neuroma, metatarsalgia, and more... If you are experiencing pain in your feet, the first step in your footcare routine is to see your doctor.

Footcare Daily Routine People often have daily routines for their skin or to watch their weight, however, a footcare routine is often neglected. Some of these tips are especially important for individuals with diseases such as diabetes or neurological disorders.

Footcare Tips:

• Wash your feet in warm water that is not too hot, and use a mild soap. Although soaking your feet in hot water may feel good at times, make sure you keep your feet in for less than 10 minutes as a precaution to prevent dry skin.
• Make sure you dry your feet carefully by patting them rather than rubbing. Take special care to dry between your toes.
• Inspect your feet regularly for cuts, blisters, ingrown toenails and further potential foot issues. If you can't see the sole of your foot use a mirror or ask someone to check it for you.
• Apply a dry dressing to a clean cut or scratch.
• Trim toenails straight across and not too short and make sure you file any sharp edges down.
• Keep calluses to a minimum by using a pumice stone as part of your footcare routine.
• If you have rough portions on your heels or soles, apply some non-perfumed moisturizing lotion to these areas, making sure you wipe off any lotion that doesn't absorb into your skin.
• And remember your mother was right when she gave you footcare tips about wearing clean socks everyday!
• Don't wear socks that are tight around your legs or ankles.
• When you are sitting, elevate your feet to keep the blood flowing to them.
• Don't cross your legs for long periods of time while sitting.
• Exercise your feet daily to improve circulation as part of your footcare regiment.
• Don't apply hot water bottles or heating pads to your feet.

Footcare Tips on Choosing Shoes:

Your shoes are your protection for your feet and can make a world of difference in your comfort. Following are some tips on choosing the right shoes:

• Try on shoes later in the day when your feet are at their largest size (feel swell during the day)
• One of your feet are usually larger than the other foot, make sure you have a proper fit on the larger foot.
• Always try shoes on and walk in them to make sure they feel right before buying them. If ordering online, make sure you have a chance to return them if they don't fit properly.
• Ask your footcare doctor or professional what foot type you have and choose a shoe that works with your foot type. Especially if you have flat feet or high arches and/or need to fit orthotics in your shoes.
• Remember although high heels may be stylish, they can cause a lot of problems with your feet and are a poor footcare decision.
• Make sure the ball of foot area is not squished in the shoe...no pointed toes.
• Don't buy shoes expecting them to stretch! They should fit your foot when you leave the store.
• Make sure the heel of the shoe does not slide up and down when you are walking.
• Make sure the sole of the shoe is as wide as your foot and provides some cushion when you walk. By R. MacKenzie