You are aware of the care your heart requires. Furthermore, your feet move. After all, with 5,000 steps a day on average, they are the workhorses of your body. It's 2.5 kilometers away. Not to mention that every step of the journey, your feet must support the weight of your body. We also force them into shoes and leave them there for extended periods of time. You ought to pay your feet a bit more attention than you probably are. What you should know is as follows.
What kind of basic care do my feet need?
You wouldn't skip a day of cleaning your teeth, so neither should you skip a day of caring for your feet.
- Inspect them every day for swelling, cuts, sores, and infected toenails.
- Clean them well in warm water, but avoid soaking them because it might cause them to become dry.
- Use petroleum jelly, lotion, or cream to moisturize them every day. Avoid applying lotion between your toes. To avoid infection, you want to keep the skin there dry.
- Avoid donning shoes that are too tight. Your feet shouldn't be harmed by your shoes.
- Avoid wearing flats and flip-flops. They don't support the arches sufficiently.
- Make sure you don't always wear the same pair of shoes by rotating them.
- You should use a nail clipper to cut your toenails straight across. After that, round the edges with an emery board or nail file to stop the nail from digging into your flesh.
Corns and calluses
What are corns and calluses?
In your feet, corns and calluses are thick, rough skin areas. If you have them, wearing shoes or walking may cause you discomfort.
They are typically brought on by excessive friction, such as that from wearing excessively tight shoes, or excessive pressure against your foot, such as that from prolonged standing or participation in an activity like jogging. The location of the two, corns and calluses, on your foot is the only distinction between them. Calluses develop on the bottom of the foot whereas corns often originate on the top of the foot, occasionally on a toe.
How do I handle calluses and corns?
- Minor corns and calluses typically disappear on their own and don't require treatment. But, there are several things you may do to encourage faster fading of their effects:
- To protect your skin, put on thick socks.
- When you're in the bathtub or shower, massage your callus with a pumice stone.
- Corn pads can be used to reduce pressure.
- Salicylic acid can be used to help remove corns and calluses. Follow instructions precisely to avoid damaging healthy skin. If you have diabetes, never use acid treatments on your feet.
- Wear prescribed foot orthotics.
What can I do to avoid corns and calluses?
You may prevent corns and calluses by using a few straightforward techniques since discomfort is their primary cause:
- Put on shoes that are comfortable for your feet.
- Stay away from daily high heel wear.
- To further lessen friction and strain on your foot, use gel pad inserts.
When should I see my doctor?
Don't attempt to cure your corns or calluses on your own if you have diabetes. See your doctor regularly.
Moreover, you ought to visit your doctor if you have any pain. They can advise switching out your shoes or adding cushioning. The callus or corn can potentially be removed by your doctor's razor. Injections of cortisone or, in certain situations, surgery may be recommended if you have severe discomfort.
Foot Odor
What causes smelly feet?
Your shoes and foot sweating are the two biggest offenders. An odor is produced when the bacteria in your shoes and socks combine with perspiration.
How can I control foot odor?
Follow these tips:
- Every day, wash your feet with warm water and light soap. Dry them completely.
- Baby powder or unmedicated foot powder can be used to dust your feet. Using an antibiotic ointment is another option.
- At least once every day, switch up your shoes and socks.
- Put on footwear that allows your feet to breathe; avoid nylon and plastic and pick instead for leather, canvas, and mesh.
- Do not wear the same shoes twice in one week. Rotate pairs of sports shoes so that they each have time to dry, giving them at least 24 hours to air out.
- Spend 30 minutes each day for a week soaking your feet in strong black tea (two tea bags per pint of water, boiled for 15 minutes, then blended with 2 quarts of cold water). Alternately, mix two parts water and one part vinegar.
Diabetes and Foot Health
How does diabetes affect foot health?
Diabetes increases your risk of developing the following foot issues:
Calluses: In persons with diabetes, these thick patches form more frequently and more quickly. Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Therapeutic shoes might be one solution.
Neuropathy: Diabetes can harm your feet's nerves, which is known as neuropathy. As a result, you might not be as sensitive to discomfort, heat, or cold, which increases the likelihood that a foot injury will go undiagnosed. Even your feet and toes might vary due to nerve injury, making it challenging to wear conventional shoes.
Skin changes: Your foot's perspiration and oil glands are controlled by nerves, but when these nerves stop functioning, your feet may become so dry that they peel and split. Be sure to daily hydrate your feet. Keep lotion away from your toes.