We put more stress, more wear and tear on our feet than we probably realize. “A person who lives to age 80 may walk an estimated 110,000 miles, equivalent to more than four times around the Earth at the equator. That long journey can take a toll on your feet.”
Yet few of us put any consciousness on the care of our feet. We open ourselves to some very painful, debilitating foot ailments (like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and osteoarthritis).
Here’s a list of behaviors we do (according to foot and ankle health experts)
that put our foot health at risk:
* Wearing Crocs Everywhere
* Living In High Heels
* Walking Around Barefoot
* Running In Non-Running Shoes
* Going Barefoot In Hotel Bathrooms And Other Germy Spaces
* Wearing Cotton Socks (Who knew?)
* Going To Untrusted Nail Salons * Self-Treating Or Ignoring Infections *
Not Retying Laces
* Forgetting To Take Extra Care As A Diabetic
Are you guilty of any of these? I am.
Here are some basic care tips for taking good care of your feet:
* Check them daily for cuts, sores, swelling, and infected toenails.
* Give them a good cleaning in warm water, but avoid soaking them because that may dry them out.
* Moisturize them every day with lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly. Don’t put moisturizer between your toes. You want to keep the skin there dry to prevent infection.
* Avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes. Your shoes shouldn’t hurt your feet.
* Skip the flip-flops and flats. They don’t provide enough arch support.
* Rotate your shoes so you’re not wearing the same pair every day.
* Trim your toenails straight across with a nail clipper. Then use an emery board or nail file to smooth the corners, which will prevent the nail from growing into your skin.
I’m taking better care of my feet. How about you? I’d love to hear your views.
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