How To Care For Your Feet
, by Infinite Exchange, 6 min reading time
Enjoyable activities made possible by your feet include going on hikes, running, and jumping. Over the course of a lifetime, the average person's feet will travel more than 100,000 miles while bearing the body's weight. They help keep your bones in proper alignment and enable you to stand, walk, and move around. Some folks may be on their feet for up to 80% of their awake hours.
Your mental and physical health depends on the state of your feet. Maintaining a healthy foot structure is essential. Injuries are common due to how often they are used. People spend millions of dollars annually on over-the-counter medications to treat issues that can be avoided with good foot hygiene.
These guidelines will help you keep your feet in tip-top shape by addressing typical foot issues, educating you on how to care for your feet, and suggesting routine foot maintenance.
Athlete's Foot
A fungal infection of the skin. Small blisters may form at first, then rupture and dry up, leaving behind dry, flaky, cracked, itchy, and burning skin.
- An effective treatment is to avoid getting dirty feet and to wear dry socks. Cotton socks will help absorb moisture and prevent fungus from growing. Apply a powder or liquid that kills fungi. See a doctor if wounds do not heal within a week.
Common Foot Problems
Although over 98% of the population has healthy feet at birth, most adults will have some sort of foot issue at some point in their lives. Defects or damage to the feet of children can become apparent as early as the age of two. Ill-treatment of one's feet is the leading cause of foot troubles. We will go over some of the most typical issues, as well as some potential solutions.
Bunions
Joint inflammation and pain. The big toe is the most common site of involvement, and abnormal bone overgrowth is the most common symptom.
- Bunions can be treated by inserting cushions into the shoe to reduce the pressure on the bunion. Injections of cortisone may reduce edema.
Corns And Calluses
Cracked, rough, and thick skin that often hurts and burns. Corn develops on the soles of the feet or the tops of the toes, specifically above the joint in the middle of the toe. Your foot may develop a callus in the heel or the ball.
- Corn and calluses can be treated by avoiding the irritation and pressure that lead to their development in the first place by always wearing shoes that fit properly. Occasionally, removal by surgery is required.
Foot Cramps
Foot arch cramps are severe and sudden pain in the arch of the foot.
- Stretching and massaging the affected arch muscle should relieve cramping.
Onychomycosis (Toenail fungus)
This is a fungal infection of the nail bed, resulting in a thickened nail.
- There are several anti-fungal drugs available.
- Some issues with the feet can be indicators of more significant health issues. If you have a persistent illness, frequent cramping in your feet or legs, unusual coldness, or yellowing of your feet, you should see a doctor.
Ingrown Toenail
When you put pressure on your toe, the sharp edges of your toenail dig into your skin, causing pain.
- To treat a stubbed toe and avoid infection, soak it in warm water and see a doctor right away. Your doctor may elect to operate to fix the issue.
Foot Strain
Arch pain is a dull, throbbing pain brought on by foot fatigue or strain.
- Soak your feet in warm water and give them a massage to alleviate the pain. Please see a doctor if the pain persists.
Feet Maintenance
Maintaining healthy feet is also an important part of providing proper foot care. Here are some measures you may take to protect your feet's health and avoid future issues.
- Wash your feet, change your socks, and let your shoes dry off to avoid getting a fungal infection.
- Every day, take a few minutes to put your feet up and relax. Recline with your feet propped up and take it easy for a while. Use your fingers to massage your feet, or roll them over a golf ball, tennis ball, or a rolling pin for the same effect.
- Maintain healthy blood flow by exercising your feet regularly. It is ideal for a stroll. Start going on brisk 30-minute walks five to seven times a week.
- Frequently examining your feet is necessary. Keep an eye out for redness, cracks in the skin, and sores. Make sure you check in between your toes as well!
- If you want to prevent ingrown toenails, you should cut your toenails in a straight line and leave a small overhang at the tips of your digits.
- Take care of foot issues as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Advice on Shoe Purchasing
When shoe shopping, many people prioritize appearance over comfort, forcing their feet into shoes that are either too small or too tall. Most foot issues are related to improperly fitting shoes. Here are some guidelines to help you select the most comfortable footwear for your feet:
- After a long day on your feet, your feet will swell, making it difficult to try on shoes.
- Try on the shoes while wearing the socks or stockings you want to wear most often.
- Stay away from heels that are too high, platform shoes, clogs, and any other outlandish footwear.
- Put on both shoes and walk about, jumping, leaning, and jogging to get a feel for how they move. Do not buy shoes that hurt your feet. They can cause a lot of pain and even cause permanent harm to your foot or another area of your body.
- The shoe ball of your foot should rest comfortably in the shoe's widest area, and there should be space for your thumb between the end of your big toe and the tip of the shoe.
- If one of your feet is bigger than the other, you should purchase the larger size.
- You should check out the footwear while you go. Shoes are too tight if you must squeeze your toes together, but they should be able to stretch a little bit. Leather and cloth shoes are the most comfortable since they conform to the contour of your foot.
- Make sure the footwear is of high quality, strength, and durability. Check for signs of quality construction, such as neat stitching and hemmed edges.
- AVOID having to "break in" your shoes by not purchasing them.
- Do not assume that because a shoe is expensive that it will be comfortable. Invest in "no-name" footwear if the fit is good.
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