9 Ways to Care for Your Feet
One of the most abused and neglected parts
of the body is your feet. But there are simple ways to take care of your
toes and make yourself happier and healthier. Here are nine crucial
tips you should keep in mind:
1. You wear the same shoes every day
While it may seem like common sense to find
a great, supportive pair of shoes you love, and with that, wear them
nonstop, this isn't doing your feet any favors. According to foot
surgeon Jackie Sutera, wearing the same shoes day in and day out which
can cause foot fatigue because you are constantly using the same areas
of the foot for support and walking. Keep a few pairs of comfortable
shoes and rotate them throughout the week.
2. Your shoes are too old
While breaking in new shoes may be a drag, having shoes that are too old
will mess up your gait, causing pain. Dr. Sutera says, “When shoes are
old and worn out, they will tilt your feet, forcing you to strike the
ground in an awkward way,” adding that, “even the slightest angle can
hurt your feet and cause back and hip pain.” As a rule of thumb bear the
following in mind, replace the shoes you wear daily, this includes your
running shoes, every six months. For other shoes keep an eye on the
soles and replace or re-sole them when you notice that the support is
getting low.
3. You wear flats to commute
While ballet flats and sneakers or
flipflops may seem like a comfortable option, they don't provide good
arch support. This means that if you wear such shoes on your walk to
work Monday through Friday you are putting your feet at risk for
bunions, hammertoes, and a collapsed arch.
4. Your toenails are cut funnily
If your toenails are cut too short or they are rounded it can result in
ingrown nails. The nail starts to grow into the skin causing discomfort.
Shoes can also irritate the situation more by rubbing or squeezing the
feet together. The best option would be to make sure that the nails are
cut straight as this would avoid the development of any ingrown nails.
5. You run in tennis shoes (or play tennis in running shoes)
Gym sneakers are not a one-size-fits-all
solution when it comes to exercising and sports. Dr. Sutera says “There
is a lot of technology that goes into the design of sneakers,” adding
that “Each activity has specific qualities necessary for the correct
shoe. For example, running and walking shoes are made for straight-ahead
motion, while basketball and tennis shoes are made for side-to-side
movements.”
6. You always carry your bag on the same side
Do you constantly carry a briefcase or heavy purse on one side? Then you
are likely creating a shift in weight that causes tendinitis, as well
as neck and back pain. So be sure to alternate the side you carry things
on or carry two smaller bags to help distribute the weight more evenly.
7. You ignore dry or scaly patches
foot pain from shoes
If you have dry skin on the bottom of your
feet it may eventually lead to skin fissures. But over time they may
worsen or could lead to infection. A great way to go about it is to use a
pumice stone in the shower and to regularly moisturize to keep your
feet healthy. If your feet are scaly then you may have a fungal
infection. In which case, the best way to get rid of scales is with
antifungal cream.
8. You exercise in bare feet too much
While there are times where working out with no shoes can't be avoided,
such as yoga and Pilates, make sure that you have enough variety in your
routine. Dr. Sutera says “People who do the same barefoot workout
several times a week may experience tendon pain, heel pain, and even
joint pain.” To save yourself from more pain, make sure you incorporate a
mix of sneaker-wearing workouts and low-impact barefoot exercises.
9. You don’t wear slippers at home
“We underestimate how much time we spend at
home with no shoes on,” says Dr. Sutera. “Especially for people who
have hardwood floors, marble, or tile, there is nothing between the
floor and your feet. Over time, the natural fat pad on the bottom of
your feet wears down, leaving you later in life feeling as if your foot
is just skin and bones.” Dr. Sutera recommends you try an orthopedic
slipper for foot support at home