Show Your Feet Some TLC During National Women’s Health Week
As we mark National Women’s Health Week, we need to focus on women’s feet. Because now, more than ever, women’s feet need extra care. After all, you spend hours on your feet, caring for everyone, and you often do it in shoes that aren’t crafted for comfort.
Want to keep your feet looking and feeling their best? Follow these 5 tips to give your feet some TLC. And don’t forget to call our office if pain keeps you from tackling everything on your long to-do list!
Top 5 Ways to Care for Women’s Feet
1. Embrace Pedicures—at Home!
Want soft feet without the risk of the foot infections you may face at a salon? Turn your home into a salon!
First, soak your feet in water about 15 minutes. Then, take a clean, new pumice stone and gently scrub at areas like your heels or under the ball of your feet, to get rid of dead skin. Next, trim nails straight across—leaving plenty of white to avoid ingrown toenails. Finally, once you’re done, dry feet and get ready for the next step…
2. Moisturize
Every day is the right day to moisturize your feet. Moisturizing can help prevent dry, cracked skin. In turn, that can protect you from infections or ulcers—especially if you have diabetes. For best results, use a cream (not a lotion) that lists urea in the ingredients. That will offer maximum moisture and protection.
3. Prevent Fungus
If you’re at the gym or the pool, wear shoes to prevent fungal infections. Also, make sure to dry your feet after a shower—especially between your toes. And always wear a fresh pair of socks each day. (Change them more frequently if you work up a sweat.) Why is this so important? Damp conditions create the perfect environment for fungus to thrive. So, by keeping your feet clean and dry, you can avoid many infections and complications.
4. Lather Up
When temperatures come up, the sandals come out here in Indiana. And it’s crucial that you include your feet in your sunscreen routine. After all, skin cancers of the feet are not uncommon—but they can be deadly. So protecting your feet with sunscreen could just be a life saving decision.
5. Stand Proud
Whether you’re standing for your job, running errands all over town or running for exercise, your feet absorb lots of pressure. Consider giving them extra support with the help of a pair of custom orthotics. (These medical devices are designed to support your body. Which is why they can help relieve forms of foot pain that regular insoles can’t address!)
When to See a Podiatrist
Too many busy women put self-care last on their to-do lists. Now, you wouldn’t ignore a friend or loved one’s discomfort, yet too many women let themselves walk or run with pain. And that’s something our Westfield podiatrist wants to change.
So, if you’re wondering, when should I see the podiatrist? The answer is: as soon as you notice foot pain! When you come in quickly, we can often provide pain relief using minimally invasive procedures. That’s why we hope you prioritize yourself this Women’s Health Week and book an appointment with our office today!