Healthy Feet Rule Book - 6 Steps
How important are your feet?
Did you know that the average person takes around 8,000-10,000 steps each day which equals around 115,000 miles in a typical lifetime or roughly four times around the globe! It would be correct to assume that your feet go through a lot, and foot care is just as important as ever to keep you moving.
With the daily stresses your feet go through, it is not uncommon to experience ailments or discomfort that result from injury. Common conditions like cracked skin, blisters, cuts and bruises can impair your mobility and capacity to carry out day-to-day. That being said, if you look after your feet, your feet will look after you.
Here are 6 steps that you can follow to keep your feet healthy:
1. Moisturiser Is king
Dryness is the biggest cause of breaching of skin integrity and can occur due to a lack of moisture present in the skin. With age and improper maintenance of foot heath, skin on the feet can become dry and cracked - which can open the body up to infection - so it is important to provide the skin with the moisture it needs to retain its protective properties.
Using premium moisturising foot cream mousse (not standard cream) can be incredibly effective at reducing the risk of dry skin and cracking. Regular application of these cream mousses can keep dry skin at bay and act as a preventative measure against fungal and bacterial infections. Remember mousses are much better than standard creams that are heavy and unpleasent.
Alternatively, there are special socks that contain gel which can be worn with shoes to provide moisture and protection to the skin, allowing you to go about your daily activities without the worry of your feet paying the price.
If you are concerned about the clogging of pores which can occur with the use of moisturising creams, the Callusan Cream Mousse range covers a selection of foot conditions - from extra dry skin to sensitive skin - find out which works best for you!
2. Remove dead skin with foot filing
Our body is constantly regenerating, expelling old cells to make room for new ones. The skin is no different - our bodies are constantly creating new, healthy skin cells to replace the old. However, sometimes dead skin can linger in the form of calluses and dry skin which can be uncomfortable to walk on and puts the body at risk of infection.
Foot files are a useful tool for eroding dead skin and creating a smoother surface to allow room for new cells to form. An excellent foot filing solution is the Bio-Sana Foot File; this file is an essential foot care tool that you can use to keep your skin new and healthy. Alternatively, for a more ergonomic foot file that shapes to the unique curves of your feet, the 360-foot file is a must have for keeping your feet nice and smooth.
3. Keep them clean
The feet are constantly exposed to bacteria from the floor, our shoes, and other surfaces they encounter regularly. Unfortunately, these germs can build up and encourage infection in the body if exposed through breaches in the skin. A regular washing routine to clean the whole foot, especially between the toes, can reduce the amount of harmful bacteria or fungi present on the feet.
Washing the feet is an important habit you should perform each day - your feet will thank you for it. It is helpful to notice that certain shower gels and soaps can take away the skin’s natural oils that keep the feet healthy, so you should be conscious of how often you wash your feet and of course don’t forget to moisturise afterwards!
4. Regular foot Checks
Your feet are at constant risk of infection from exposed skin, which may be hard to detect when compared to a wound that you might obtain on your hands for example. Unlike hands, your feet are harder to see and are cleaned less frequently.
Reduce the risk of infection or further complications by regularly checking the feet for cuts, sores, redness, bruising and swelling.
Checking your feet is a step that can be easily added into your foot care routine and can help you identify issues before they arise. This is especially important for those suffering from diabetic neuropathy that causes numbness in the feet and can allow sores to develop and go unnoticed, putting you at risk of serious infection.
For diabetic patients, you MUST take your foot care routines seriously and remember, preventing foot problems is better than curing them. Google for the horrors. Wear the best footwear available to your budget. Roomy shoes, no fancy styles (sadly) and the best insoles you can find for the prevention of calluses, blisters and any form of in-shoe rubbing. Make sure the insoles fit the shoes. 'Real' diabetic shoes will have enough space for the insoles. Amazon fake diabetic shoes will not in most cases.
5. Carefully Cut Nails
Nail health is just as important as looking after the rest of your feet. Nails can harbour large amounts of bacteria underneath, so it is important to keep your nails under control. You can do this by using a pair of nippers and should be done carefully to not clip the nail too short as this can open the body to conditions like fungal nail infections that can be incredibly painful and pose a threat to the life of the nail. When buying nail nippers, always go for quality rather than cheap Chinese consumer items.
6. Importance of footwear
Footwear is your first line of defence against the environment and does an excellent job at protecting the skin from foreign objects. Not only that, but shoes also house the feet, often for extensive periods of time so should be the correct fit to your feet. Improperly sized footwear can cause a range of problems to the feet through friction and pressure that can cause blisters and sores, which in turn can be painful and can cause mobility issues.
Due to the feet being under constant pressure, blisters and sores can be difficult to heal and therefore will require a protective barrier to allow the body to heal properly and stop harmful bacteria from entering the body.
Blister plasters like the create a protective layer over the skin and are used in parts of the foot that are susceptible to injury caused by shoes pinching and rubbing against the skin. It is important to wear shoes that are comfortable and protect the feet from injury particularly for the heel and balls of the feet.
Now that you understand the importance of a proper foot care routine and the tools available to maintain your feet you can keep stepping with confidence knowing your feet are at your service. Every pair of feet is different, so you may have to try out different products to find the best solution for you.
If you have any concerns about your feet, it is recommended that you speak to you a health care professional like a podiatrist or GP who may be able to offer prescribed orthotics or other medical treatments.
Keep loving your feet!
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