Top 10 Tips for healthy feet
- Wash your feet often. Healthy feet start with good hygiene.
- Dry your feet well especially between the toes. Fungal organisms love moisture; dry them well to avoid fungal infections.
- Moisturise to avoid dry feet.
- Examine feet for problems. When drying your feet check for dry areas, discolouration, peeling areas. If you are diabetic, you should check your feet daily. Be careful applying nail polish to toe nails to hide the look of them. A discoloured, thick, cracked or crumbling nail could be a sign of a nail fungus. Applying nail polish could make the problem worse.
- Have your toe nails cut and filed regularly.
- Shoe shop in an afternoon. Make sure your shoes fit properly. Shoes that are too tight can cause long term foot problems.
- Wear correct footwear for work. Choose breathable footwear to help keep feet dry and healthy, wear shoes made of leather to allow air to circulate.
- Limit time wearing heels.
- Change socks often to avoid foot odour. Feet have sweat glands; 250,000 in each foot. Perspiration creates the perfect environment for bacteria to spread.
- Watch out for foot bugs in communal areas. Try to always wear your own footwear and don’t go bare foot if you can avoid it.