If your New Year’s resolution revolves around staying fit and healthy, then having healthy feet is the perfect place to start. Without being able to walk and move comfortably, it’s easy to lose all the exercise plans and motivation you have right now! To help you start the year off on the right foot, we’ve put together eight simple, powerful and often overlooked tips to help keep your feet healthy. Follow them regularly, and if you need help, get in touch with us here.
1. Dry your feet well after every shower, pool visit, run, and the like. Dry between the toes each time – or get an ethanol-based spray if you can’t reach your toes. Fungal organisms thrive in damp environments, so drying your feet well will help to prevent fungal infections – both Athlete’s foot and fungal nail infections.
2. Moisturise your feet regularly – especially if you have hard, dry skin (callus). This can help prevent discomfort, pain, cracked heels and other problems. Consider using a urea-based moisturiser if your feet are particularly dry, as the skin on your feet is thicker than other areas on your body. Avoid the area between your toes as this will create a damp environment where fungal infections may take hold.
3. While moisturising, examine your feet for any problems. Catching problems early can save you pain, frustration, time and money. Look for ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections, cracked skin, any cuts that you may not have been able to feel – or aren’t healing.
4. Cut your toenails correctly. Trim them straight across, not too close to the skin, and use a nail file to gently smooth any rough edges. This will help to prevent painful ingrown toenails.
5. Avoid wearing the same closed-in shoes every day. Give your shoes a chance to dry out after each use by alternating shoes. This helps the shoes wear down more slowly, as well as control the damp environments that fungal organisms love.
6. Wear breathable shoes and socks. Leather shoes worn with socks made of natural fibres such as cotton, wool or bamboo will allow your feet to breathe. They are also effective at absorbing and releasing moisture.
7. Shop smart. When buying new shoes, shop in the afternoon as feet often swell throughout the day. Wear the same type of socks you’re likely to wear with the shoes, and make sure your longest toe feels comfortable in the shoe – it’s not always your big toe.
8. Need sandals or thongs? Choose orthotic sandals to give your feet the support they need. Not only are they comfortable, but they are also genuinely better for your feet compared to hard, flat sandals – which can reduce your risk of injury, as well as support your recovery.
Feeling any pain or niggles?
If you’re currently experiencing any pain or niggles, our experienced podiatrists can help treat these so you can start your year off feeling good. Book an appointment online by clicking the link above or call us on 1800 866 837