Taking good care of the skin on our feet is often overlooked in favor of more visible areas on the body. It’s not until our feet start to hurt or we find ourselves in sandal weather, we really pay attention to what’s actually going on inside our shoes.
Our feet seem to be something we put on the back burner, when in reality they should be something on the top of our priority list, especially since it is what makes us naturally mobile. Let’s take a closer look at our feet along with some tips for preventative and curative skin and nail care to get you on the path to nurturing your tootsies.
Moisturize
It might seem incredibly simple, but keeping the skin and nails on your feet moisturized can help to avoid a plethora of potential problems dryness can cause. There are many issues stemming from dry skin; cracked heels leading to infection is just one concern.
When choosing to take regular care of your feet, a good rule of thumb (pun intended) is that it should start with treating the skin and nails on your feet as you would treat your hands. If moisturizing regularly isn’t quite keeping your skin soft and moisturized, then consider medicated pads.
Regular pedicures from a reputable salon are also a wonderful preventative of dryness. However, if you suffer from calluses on your feet and they are tough to the point where it hurts to walk, you may want to consult a podiatrist like the foot professionals at Triangle Foot & Ankle right away.
Fight Fungus
It’s typical for a foot doctor to see more than one type of foot fungus in a day. It’s an ailment more common than what many realize and if you are taking proper and regular treatment of your feet, one that can be avoided. If your feet spend a lot of time in a damp or wet environment, there are a variety of ways for prevention – sprays, lotions, powders and ointments are suggestions of what you can use to keep the fungus away.
If your feet tend to sweat a lot, you’ll want to choose a powder to soak up the extra moisture. If your feet are on the dry side, look for an antifungal lotion.
Not all fungus is created equal. Toenail fungus is notoriously harder to treat than skin fungus, so if you’re finding you just can prevent or treat it on your own, see your podiatrist for some assistance; with professional care it will clear up a lot faster.
Toenail Care
Keeping your toenails from becoming brittle is a coming of age tale. They tend to get worse the older we get. Of course, nail polish and nail polish remover play a part in that story, so women might see brittle toenails earlier than most men.
A good vitamin E oil applied nightly will nourish your toenails and keep them looking young. It’s good for your feet too; lather it on – using too much will never be an issue!
Seeking Help From a Professional
It is never too early to seek help from a podiatrist about any level of foot ailment. We’ll be able to help diagnose the specific problem and prescribe a plan for treatment, eliminating the need for home treatments that may not work well enough or fast enough to get the job done. If you need a consultation, contact Triangle Foot and Ankle today at (919) 851-3435.
