How do we treat our feet right? Why should we treat our feet? Well our feet deserve to be treated right for several reasons. The most important is, they move us through the world, help us stand up to our day, and grounds us. Thus they need tender loving care to keep them soft, strong, and free of problems

It’s easy to take our feet for granted. They put up with a host of challenges, from being jammed into high heels and elevated to unnatural heights to smothering inside sweaty socks or tight nylon pantyhose. While suffering those indignities, our feet take hundreds of tons of force impact just during an average day of walking. That pounding explains why feet are the body part most likely to get injured.

Treat Your Feet Right!

You don’t need an expensive spa treatment to take care of your feet. Spending just a few minutes a day on foot care and choosing the right shoes can keep you free of problems that may lead to pain and even disability.

How to treat your feet?

These ideas can help your feet feel great:

• Make a point to wash your feet (and between your toes!) with a washcloth carefully and regularly. Yes, that means bending over in the shower to soap them up; if you can’t balance safely, sit on a chair as you wash your feet. Be sure to dry feet completely, including between the toes. This wash-and-dry system lessens problems such as athlete’s foot, odor, bacteria and fungus.
• If you like to soak your feet, use warm (never hot) water and a little liquid soap, such as dish washing solution, containing skin softeners. This is how you treat your feet!
• Moisturize your feet after washing. Nothing fancy is needed: basic lotions and creams are fine.
• Alternate the shoes you wear each day. That may mean having two pairs of your favorite everyday style, but shoes need time to air out to avoid triggering foot odor or infections. Change socks or stockings more than once a day. If you have a problem with smelly feet, soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water.

Your feet should not hurt—ever!

• Tight shoes can worsen bunions, distort toe shape and cause painful foot growths. If you wear high heels, choose heels that are wide, stable and no higher than two inches. To protect your Achilles tendon from shortening, alternate heel heights regularly.
• Flip-flops and completely flat shoes don’t provide arch support. Neither does walking barefoot. Women are especially prone to developing flat feet, which can lead to other foot problems. To keep feet strong and healthy, minimize the amount of time you wear shoes that lack supportive arches.
• Pregnancy, aging and diabetes all affect your feet. Pregnant women need shoes with broad heels, arch support and good shock absorbency. Added pregnancy weight may cause your shoe size to change, so get your feet measured. Older women lose some of the cushioning fat on the balls of their feet; choose shoes that provide more shock protection. Diabetics can develop serious conditions related to the feet and lower legs.
• Be cautious about having a pedicure in a salon, where cleanliness of tubs and instruments is vital. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor before having a pedicure.

A podiatrist can help with foot problems. They can help if you have a problem such as unexplained foot pain. It’s very important to have your feet checked regularly by a GP, nurse or podiatrist if you have a health condition that affects your feet, such as diabetes, poor circulation or a low immune system.

You treat your feet because they are undeniably your simplest and safest mode of transportation.

Every step counts when it comes to your life, so keep stepping in a healthy direction.