Tips for Healthy Feet
Our feet haul us through thousands of steps per day. Yet we cram them into pointy pumps, pound them on the pavement, and often tend to them last when it comes to self-care.
A 2014 survey shows that 8 out of 10 Americans have experienced a foot problem — defined as everything from an ingrown toenail to chronic foot pain. And depending on how long that foot problem lasts, it could potentially impact one’s overall quality of life and health. If you’ve got foot pain or even a minor skin irritation, you’re more likely to shirk exercise, for example.
Essentially, if your feet fall behind, so do you.
“They keep us ambulatory,” says podiatrist Michael J. Trepal, the vice president for academic affairs and dean at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. “People unable to move about suffer numerous physical, psychological, and social afflictions as a direct or indirect result of foot dysfunction.” Even if you’re known among your friends as having dainty Cinderella feet, or the tall gal who jokingly refers to her feet as skis, foot health is critical. “It is not simply how they look but how they work that matters most,” Trepal says. Learn more about the proper soles, hygiene, and other lifestyle choices to give your feet the support they’ve been giving you.
10 easy ways to treat your feet right and pain-free
Be a good friend to your feet by avoiding these harmful habits:
Foot health 101
- Don’t wear too-tight shoes.
- Don’t share shoes.
- Don’t share pedicure utensils with your pals.
- Don’t hide discolored nails with polish. Let them breathe and treat the underlying issue.
- Don’t shave calluses.
- Don’t perform “DIY surgery” on an ingrown nail.
- Do try the Legs-Up-the-Wall yoga pose after a long day or a hard workout.
- Do give yourself a foot massage or book a reflexology session.
- Do roll a tennis ball under your feet.
- Do soothe irritation with a vinegar foot soak.
If you’re wondering if socks in bed is okay, as a hygiene thing or for general foot health, here’s the answer to your burning question: Yes, it’s OK to wear socks to bed! “They’re not a problem unless they are overly tight and constricting,” Trepal says of nighttime socks. “Of course, they should be changed daily.” But do keep in mind that chronically cold tootsies could be a sign of an underlying condition.
How do I treat corns and calluses?
Mild corns and calluses don’t usually need treatment and will go away on their own. But there are some things you can do to help them go away more quickly:
- Wear thick socks to protect your skin.
- Rub your callus with a pumice stone while you’re in the bath or shower.
- Use corn pads to relieve pressure.
- Apply salicylic acid to help dissolve corns and calluses. Be sure to follow directions carefully so you don’t damage healthy skin. Never use acid treatments on your feet if you have diabetes.
- Wear prescription foot orthotics.
When should I see my doctor?
If you have diabetes, don’t try to treat your corns or calluses on your own. Always see your doctor. If you’re feeling any pain, you should also see your doctor. They may recommend changing shoes or adding padding to shoes. Your doctor might even shave off the callus or corn. If you have a lot of pain, cortisone injections, or in some cases, surgery, could be in the treatment plan.
Sweaty Feet
Why do my feet sweat so much?
Nobody knows exactly what causes some people to have really sweaty feet, also called hyperhidrosis. It’s likely inherited. Most people sweat when it’s hot out, but people with hyperhidrosis sweat all the time. Hyperhidrosis is more common in men than women and in younger adults. Stress, medications, and hormonal changes can also trigger your body to sweat more.
What problems can sweaty feet cause?
Besides the discomfort of having wet feet, which could make you slip in your shoes, you could find that you have smelly feet and are prone to infections since that wetness can break down your skin.
Take care of your feet through the ages
Our eyes might be the windows to our souls, but our soles are often the windows to our overall health. “Feet tend to mirror the body as folks age,” Trepal says. “We see things such as decreased circulation, thinning of skin, brittle bones, muscle atrophy, arthritis, etc. Many of these conditions can initially manifest in the foot and ankle.”
Keep an eye on your feet for changes, pain, irritation, and anything else. Again, be mindful of what you put on your feet.
“Younger people will often sacrifice pain and function for style,” Trepal says of shoes. “As people age, there seems to be a shift toward comfort and function over style.” Don’t wait for pain and discomfort to catch up to you later in life. Feet come in all shapes and sizes — and literally all walks of life — but if you’re experiencing foot pain that doesn’t go away or an issue that’s interfering with your daily activities, see a podiatrist and take care of your tappers now.
https://www.healthline.com/health/tips-for-healthy-feet-footwear-hygiene#aging-your-feet-gracefully
