What are the steps to maintaining healthy foot hygiene, and why is it so important?

The feet are an area of the body to which we often pay insufficient attention. It's tough to pay attention to body maintenance in today's fast-paced world, and the feet, sadly, receive even less attention than other body parts like the face. The feet are the busiest part of the body because they move us throughout the day, distribute our weight, and keep us balanced. Read about the necessity of good foot cleanliness, the consequences of bad hygiene, and how to take care of your feet.

What is the significance of foot hygiene?

 

Our feet provide us with support throughout our lives; they bear a heavy load every day, and we pay them the least attention. They often spend more than half a day in impermeable, synthetic-material shoes in the cold. In the summer, though, we frequently wear sandals that are not physically appropriate for our feet. It is crucial to ease the feet and treat them with quality care and footwear during free time. DrLuigi footwear, with its high standards, is certain to suit the needs of anybody who is concerned about their foot health. Diseases of the foot can have an impact on posture, mobility, and quality of life. As a result, we must give special attention to the feet.

 

Infections of the feet caused by fungi

In general, fungal infections are among the most frequent infections. Although fungi are abundant in our bodies as normal flora, they can cause infection if our immune system is compromised. Infection with the fungus Candida albicans is the most prevalent case. The growth of fungi is aided by conditions such as heat and humidity. We can use the medium of warm, moist shoes as an example, which is ideal for spreading fungi. Fungal diseases can be passed from one person to another. As a result, infection prevention is critical, as is avoiding sharing shoes, particularly athletic shoes. Poor foot care is the most common cause of athletic foot and fungal nail infections.

Athletic foot is a contagious fungal illness that causes acute foot irritation and excoriation. Tinea pedis is another name for the condition. The most prevalent causes of athletic foot are Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton rubrum sensu stricto, and Trichophyton interdigitale. The illness is known as athletic foot because athletes are at the highest risk of contracting it. Long-term wearing of closed shoes helps with this.

How to avoid fungi:

  • Replace your worn-out sporting shoes with new ones.
  • Wear DrLuigi slippers at home, which are light and breathable and constructed of natural materials.
  • In public places such as swimming pools, locker rooms, and public showers, do not walk barefoot. Slippers will keep your feet safe.
  • Use a gentle soap to clean your feet on a regular basis.
  • Synthetic materials should be avoided.
  • Change your socks on a regular basis and pay attention to the materials they're comprised of. Cotton and wool are good materials to use.

 

Infections of the nails caused by fungi are exceedingly infectious and prevalent. Because they do not pay attention to their nails, many people are unaware of how they were infected. This is especially true for the elderly and those who have weak circulation. Trichophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum... are fungi that cause infection. The infected nail gets white, thickens, brittles, and flakes off. Infected nails can emit an unpleasant odor, and infected nails are usually simple to spot. The treatment is long-term, thus the patient must be dedicated. Antifungals have a multitude of negative effects when used long term, hence combination therapy is recommended. Earlier procedures called for the administration of systemic antifungals for a long time, but this is no longer the case. Terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole are the medications now in use. Oral therapy is combined with laser therapy. Regardless of therapy improvements, the road to full recovery can be long, especially for vulnerable groups. Athletes, diabetics, the elderly with weak circulation, immunocompromised people... are all vulnerable groups. The same rules apply to the prevention of fungal infections as they do to the prevention of athletic foot. When it comes to foot infections, it's fair to say that keeping your feet clean is half the battle.

 

How do you keep your feet clean?

Regular foot cleaning

hygiene is half of good health, and it's probably more than half of good health when it comes to feet. We must wash our feet on a regular basis, just as we shower. Fungal infections such as athletic foot can be reduced by cleaning the feet. There are now particular shampoos for foot skin care that contain urea, as well as specialist peels that assist exfoliate the horny regions of the feet.

Nail care

many individuals, especially ladies, prefer robust and beautiful nails. Poor toenail hygiene and maintenance can become as much of an aesthetic issue as it is a health issue. Fungal infections are by far the most frequent nail issue. Take the following actions to keep your nails looking beautiful and healthy. The materials in which the foot is positioned during the day are perhaps the most crucial stage. Cotton socks and shoes made of natural materials, such as DrLuigi shoes, are recommended. 


Proper nail cutting can help you avoid unpleasant ingrown nails and infections. Nails should be trimmed strictly horizontally to avoid ingrown nails. It should not be cut too deeply because this makes nail development simpler. It's critical not to trim your nails in a semicircle. To avoid breaking your nails, the tool you use to cut your nails (scissors, snacks) should be sharp. 

Foot Baths 

Taking a foot bath can be both relaxing and beneficial to your feet's health. You can make them at home or visit one of the specialized salons. Read some of the suggestions if you wish to make your own baths. Each bath should be prepared with warm, but not too hot, water. A handful of bath salt or magnesium salt (epsom salt) can be added to the bath. Magnesium salt is particularly beneficial in the treatment of unpleasant muscle cramps. You can prepare foot baths with a range of essential oils depending on the aim you want to achieve. The use of lavender in the bath is highly common. 

Keep your feet dry since moist feet are the ideal environment for the development of athletic feet. After performing sports, avoid wearing closed shoes for an extended period of time. It is recommended that you wash your feet after training, dry them with a towel, and then put your shoes back on. Many people do not follow this step after completing their training, and as a result, they are vulnerable to fungal diseases. After washing your feet, you should avoid putting on socks or shoes right away. It's important to keep your feet dry at all times. This step takes very little time and prevents infections that are difficult to treat and last a long period.

Proper footwear - many foot issues are caused by improper footwear. Shoes with high heels that are too tight can cause complications. Hallux valgus, sometimes known as devil's foot, corns, plantar fasciitis, Morton's neuroma, and athletic foot are among the most well-known disorders induced by footwear. The sole of the shoe is just as vital as the rest of the shoe. So that the arches of the feet do not collapse over time, the bottom must be flexible. The bottom of DrLuigi footwear is flexible and made of a lightweight polyurethane substance. Morton's neuroma and hallux valgus have been linked to wearing high-heeled shoes. Furthermore, the shoes we wear all day should be constructed of natural materials to avoid excessive sweating. Athletic foot, fungal nail infections, and unpleasant foot odor are all caused by excessive perspiration... DrLuigi footwear has a cotton covering that decreases the risk of sweat-related illnesses. Cotton shoes allow the skin to "breathe" while also protecting it against the development of contact dermatitis. DrLuigi footwear is suitable for people of all ages and meets all practical requirements. It is comfortable and has the right widths, decreasing the risk of blisters and calluses to a bare minimum. DrLuigi footwear comes in a variety of styles, so everyone can find something that suits them. As a result, the risk of blisters and calluses is greatly minimized. 

Hydration is an important element of skin care in general, and foot skin care is no exception. Urea and aha acids are the key substances that help soften the firm skin on the feet. On the market, urea creams come in a variety of formulations, ranging from pharmaceutical dermo cosmetics to drugstore brands. A cream, a bath, a foot mask, etc. can all help to moisturize the skin. Emollients are moisturizers that replenish the skin's oil supply and maintain the skin's protective barrier. Glycerine, Vaseline, mineral oil (whose danger has yet to be proved in a clinical setting), triglycerides... Foot care products with a stronger moisturizing function, such as preparations containing 2% urea, 2% lactic acid, or up to 10% glycolic acid, are used. Urea is a keratolytic (a substance that aids in the removal of corneal cells and softens the epidermis) and an emollient. Keratolytic urea is found at higher concentrations. When applied to damp skin, such as after a shower or a foot bath, all of these ingredients enter deeper into the skin. Special paraffin treatments for foot care and hydration are also available in beauty salons.  

 

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