Your feet are probably the last part of your body on your mind – until they start to hurt. However, they are too important to overlook. Don't forget that they support your full body weight daily with every step that keeps you balanced. That weight explains why feet are the body part that can be easily injured. You don't need an expensive spa treatment to take care of your feet. Spending a few minutes a day on foot care and choosing the right shoes can keep you free from problems that can lead to pain and even more. With these tips you can take optimal care of your feet.
Wear comfortable shoes Wearing the wrong shoes can affect many aspects of foot health. First, your shoes must fit. Shoes that are too tight can cause hammer toes, corns, ingrown toenails and foot pain. Shoes that are too large will prevent your heel from landing in the right place as you walk, causing blisters and calluses, painful heels and excessive shoe wear. Some shoes are bad for your feet, even if they fit well. Frequently wearing high heels can cause damage to the bones of the foot. They're fine every now and then, but rather wear a comfortable pair of flat-soled sneakers for everyday wear. If you really don't want to give up heels, buy special insoles for heels. These ensure that you can walk painlessly and without any problems in high heels
Wash your feet (and between your toes) often! Make a habit of washing your feet carefully and regularly with warm water and soap. After all, they spend most of the day in a pair of shoes. All the moisture and sweat provides a fertile breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. If you don't wash your feet, you let that accumulate from day to day. That leads to unpleasant foot odor – and ultimately to fungal infections and other skin problems. Make sure to dry the feet completely after washing, including between the toes. This reduces problems such as athlete's foot, odor, bacteria and fungi.
Apply them with a foot cream after washing
After washing, make sure to apply a moisturizing cream on your feet all over, except between the toes. Because the wear and tear your feet go through every day can result in dry, cracked or flaky skin. You can do this in the morning, but if you suffer from very dry feet, you can also apply a foot cream in the evening. Then put on a pair of comfortable cotton socks. In the morning the skin of your feet will be much softer.
Wear different shoes every day
Alternate the shoes you wear on a daily basis. Shoes need time to air to avoid foot odor or infections. Change socks or stockings more than once a day. If you have a problem with smelly feet, soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water.
Change socks daily, and make sure they fit
Change socks regularly and wear socks made of cotton or wool. These let your feet breathe and keep them at the right temperature. Also make sure that your socks fit well, especially pay attention to the width of your foot and ankle.
Your feet should never hurt
Tight shoes can aggravate bunions, distort toe shape and cause painful foot growth. If you wear high heels, choose heels that are wide and stable and no higher than two inches. The front of the shoe where the toes are should be wide so that your toes are not cramped. And change heel heights regularly.
Prefer not to wear slippers
Slippers and flats do not support the arch of the foot. Nor walk barefoot. Women are especially prone to develop flat feet, which can lead to other foot problems. To keep feet strong and healthy, minimize the time you spend wearing shoes that don't support. Or wear insoles that are supportive and pain-relieving for the arch of the foot.
