They're the workhorses of our
bodies, but we give them so little respect.
It's easy to take our feet for
granted. They're just there, putting 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.
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. 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, use a
long-handled shower brush or sit on a chair outside the tub as you wash your
feet under the faucets. 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, forget
the Epsom salts—they're too drying and don't offer any medical benefit.
Instead, just use warm (never hot) water and a little liquid soap, such as
dishwashing solution, containing skin softeners.
· Moisturize your feet after washing.
During dry-skin winter months, you may want to moisturize several times a day.
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. Toe boxes should be wide; pointed toes shouldn't begin
their narrowing shape until well past the ball of the foot. 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.
Check feet for any problems daily and see a podiatric physician at least
annually.
· 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.
---------
Dr . Tarik Torki
Diabetic Foot Specialist & Foot Care Specialist
Saudi Arabia – Riyadh
0562154241
Khuris Street – In Front of
Pakistanian Airline
Info@diabeticfootarabia.com
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