August 15th, 2009Why you should be properly caring for your feet.
The first step is in the right shoe. Find a good shoe specific store in your neighborhood, as they will be better suited to your needs than a department store. Make sure you do your shoe shopping in the afternoon, as your feet tend to swell to a larger size later in the day, so a shoe that fits in the morning might not fit at night. Also make sure that your foot has plenty of room, and is held in a natural position. This way you can ensure you’re not putting extra pressure on sensitive parts of your foot, and also that your alignment remains as natural as possible. Remember the wrong shoe can lead to all manner of ailments, including back pain.
Beyond your shoes, make sure to clean your feet preferably twice a day, but at least once a day. If it’s in the shower make sure to pay special attention to lathering up between your toes to ensure you get rid of any fungus or bacteria that may be building up. Then dry with a clean towel, especially between your toes, and apply some form of lotion so that you can ensure your feet aren’t too dry. When your skin is too dry on your feet it can cause the skin to crack on the base of your foot and in between your toes, both of which can be quite painful.
Finally, there’s just the preventative care. You should bleach your shower or bathtub at least once a week so that you can ensure no bacteria builds up. Showering while you stand in bacteria is hardly good for your feet. Also if you’re using any sort of public showering area, such as at a pool or gym, make sure you wear thong sandals, to avoid any of the bacteria that builds up from the many different people that walk barefoot on the floor.
