.jpeg)
Have you ever thought about the important role your feet play in your daily life?
As a manicurist who focuses on the health and wellness of hands and feet, I must touch on the importance of foot grooming. Your feet touch the ground whenever you’re standing, walking or running, and support a tremendous amount of pressure and weight daily. After all, they are the foundation of your body, which means keeping your feet healthy can help keep you healthy.
Both feet (combined) make up for 25% of the body’s bones, 18% of joints and 6% of the muscles. Doing damage to any of these parts can cause serious harm to our bodies and how we complete our daily tasks. One of the best ways to stay healthy is by moving, whether it is through activities like running/walking, dancing, weight lifting or even just cleaning your house. However, because this is an important aspect of living a healthy life, our feet are the ones that get the most wear and tear. All this pressure and movement will not only leave your feet sore but can also affect your knees, hips and entire spine. The following are some strategies on how you can keep your feet healthy.
Keep your feet clean and dry
As with any part of your body, healthy feet start with good hygiene. While bathing, thoroughly clean your feet with soap and water, making sure to clean in between your toes. After bathing, be sure to thoroughly dry them, especially between each toe, as fungal organisms love moisture. Keeping your feet dry helps to lower the possibility of a fungal / bacterial infection. Continue this by wearing clean and dry socks. Also avoid sharing footwear; including rentals, as wearing other people’s shoes can increase your odds of getting an infection.
Examine your feet regularly
Once you have dried your feet, take the time to examine your feet at least once a week. Check in between your toes and around your soles for scaling and/or peeling which is often an indication of athlete’s foot. Be sure to look for blisters, scratches, cuts, redness and swelling as catching these issues early can prevent serious complications later. Also, check for any discoloration of the toenails, which often indicates a nail fungus.
Wear the proper footwear
Wearing improper shoes can lead to potential foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, arch spasms, heel spurs and tendinitis. When shopping for shoes, try to shop at the end of the day to compensate for foot swelling that may occur throughout the day. Wearing tight shoes can result in long-term foot problems, so ensure that you are purchasing shoes that have plenty of room for your toes and a wide heel. Never walk barefoot, as shoes and slippers are the simplest way to protect your foot from bumps and bruises.
If you are diabetic, get regular foot exams
Diabetes can lead to circulatory problems because of its ability to clog up the small blood vessels in your feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you suffer from diabetes. As a result of the lack of proper blood supply, wound healing can be prolonged if any are sustained. Wounds found on the feet of a diabetic must be treated more aggressively than those who are not diabetic. Ant type of wound especially one that is not healing, must be addressed by healthcare professional immediately.
Podiatrist Check- Ups
Visit a podiatrist if you’re experiencing any aches and pains or have any questions about the health of your feet. From there your podiatrist can determine or diagnose any problem and recommend how often you should visit a doctor for your feet.
Please note: Your manicurist is not a doctor and cannot diagnose…. As a manicurist my motto is “ When in doubt, send out.”