Opportunities Today : December 2005 Issue

Foot Care

 

With today's emphasis on active sports, keep-fit, dancing and jogging, your feet come in for a fair share of battering such that they will need all your extra care and attention that you can afford. In addition, you can cause your feet to ache and pain through very long walks, hours of standing, being overweight or ill, or through occupations which necessitate a great deal of moving around. High-heeled shoes which throw your body in an unnatural position make the foot muscles work harder in order to correct the posture. Aching results when the supporting muscles tire and the ligaments become stretched through supporting the load on the arches.

Proper foot massage rejuvenates tired feet and the daily use of moisturiser helps soften the skin of our feet, keeping them looking and feeling terrific. The foot massage takes only minutes of your time a day but the refreshing effect can last you through the whole day.

Start by bringing your right foot to rest on your left thigh. Pour some moisturiser onto palms and start massaging the base of your toes. Spread moisturiser onto the rest of your feet and rub gently upwards. Press firmly with your thumb especially along your sole. Give your toes tiny, gentle tugs. Then repeat as you move downwards from your soles towards your toes. Do the same for your other feet.
 

FOOT PROBLEMS
Most of us are born with perfectly structured feet which give us the flexibility to stand, walk, run, jump or stand on tiptoe. However, through the years of use and abuse, foot ailments do tend to eventually come in. If you do a lot of running around for fitness or business, do make a footnote of some of these common foot conditions.

Blisters
Most of us already know what blisters are all about. These fluid-filled sores are the result of constant rubbing of an ill-fitting shoe or sock against the skin of your feet. These blisters should preferably be left on their own. However, if you wish to drain the fluid out, ensure that the needle you're using is sterilised to avoid infection. The wound should then be covered up to keep it protected from further pressure.

Corns
Corns normally grow on or between toes. They develop as a result of constant pressure on the skin as the skin is being squashed between an ill-fitting shoe and the bone of your feet. This leads to a build-up of dead tissue around the area which is being squashed accompanied by pain as the nerves around the affected area get irritated. Corns can be alleviated by corn pads which help relieve the pressure on the foot
Bunions
Bunions are caused by ill-fitting or ‘toopointed’ shoes. The pointed shoes encourage the big toe to push over the other toes, causing the joint between the big toe and the foot to be deformed. A painful, obtrusive lump at the side of the foot may develop like a protruding knuckle. Soothing lotions can help alleviate the pain. At the earlier stage, bunions can be corrected by wearing properly fitting shoes or by certain foot exercises. In severe cases, surgery becomes necessary.

Ingrowing toenails
Ingrowing toenails are generally caused by improper trimming of toenails and ill-fitting shoes. If you've cut your nails down at the sides instead of trimming them straight across, the toenails will tend to curve into the flesh. Heredity, injury and infection can also contribute to the condition. Ingrowing toenails are painful. The best way to avoid the condition is to keep your nails short. If your ingrowing toenails are inflamed and infected, seek professional treatment as soon as possible.

Athlete's foot
This is a contagious skin disease spread by direct contact with shed fragments of another affected skin. Unlike what the name suggests, athlete's foot is not confined to just athletes alone. The symptoms are itchy and scaly rashes as well as split skin between and under toes. In severe cases, athlete's foot affects the toenails and causes thickening and discolouration. To cure athlete's foot, bathe them daily for ten minutes in potassium permanganate solution and always try to keep them dry and dust with a fungicidal powder after washing.

FOOT TIPS
Open-toed, bare, strappy sandals and days at the beach turn the spotlight on your feet. Don't let them get tired, hot or sweaty.

Give them all the care and attention they deserve and let well-tended feet get noticed. Here are some simple tips to keep your feet in peak condition.

Choose your shoes with care. Like what has been said, most foot deformities are acquired as the result of wearing ill-fitting shoes. So the next time you go shopping for a new pair of footwear, make sure they fit you to perfection. Check the length and width and be sure shoes fit well at the heels and don't pinch and squeeze. Toes should have room to move freely and uppers should not cause friction when you walk.

Vary heel regularly to help tone calf muscles. Change from platform soles to heels all day and all evening not only make your feet swell but stiletto heels do tend to tilt the body and throw out the spine. This is bad for the posture and may lead to backaches and other problems relating to the spine. Give your feet a break by walking around barefoot at home or wear exercise sandals. Spread your toes often if they are cramped after hours of wearing pinched-toed shoes. Avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces. It hardens skin and promotes callouses. However, walking barefoot on sand can be beneficial as sand acts as a natural pumice for your feet. To prevent the formation of tough, hard skin and callouses, feet should be given daily abrasive treatment in the bath with a pumic stone or loofah. Refresh tired feet with a lightly scented talc.
Observe good foot hygien. Since our feet are enclosed in socks or stockings the whole day, they will tend to sweat. Sweat not only causes unpleasant smell, but the warm and humid environment encourages the growth of bacteria and other micro-organisms . Wear cotton socks instead of nylon ones and buy leather shoes, as they allow your feet to breathe rather than plastic ones which don't With all these simple tips, there shouldn't be any reason why you cannot make pretty feet your number one beauty asset!