How to Care For Feet

We depend on our feet to get around, and yet we tend to ignore them unless they hurt. And if our feet hurt, nothing is any fun. Fortunately, feet are perhaps the easiest body part to care for. The following will help you to give your feet the best possible attention.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Foot scrub
• Moisturizer
• Foot file or pumice stone
• Toenail clippers
• Cuticle oil and orange sticks

1. Wear the right shoes. Shoes should have enough room for the ball of your foot to fit comfortably and leave a half-inch or more of room between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. The heel shouldn't slip when you walk. Avoid shoes with no heels or with too-high heels.
2. Cut your toenails properly. Cut them straight across and even with the end of your toes to avoid ingrown toenails. If you develop ingrown toenails, see a podiatrist for treatment.
3. Regularly massage your feet. Rub the arch of the foot to help keep the plantar tendon supple. Apply moisturizer liberally except for between the toes, which should not be left wet.
4. Take care of calluses. If you don't want to do the work of removing calluses yourself, get a pedicure. (This is a tip for men too--just skip the polish.) Never try to shave or cut away a callous; instead, make sure you're wearing shoes that fit well and don't go without socks unless you're wearing sandals.
5. Stretch before exercising. Stand with the ball of your foot on the edge of a curb or stair and let your heels sink below your toes to stretch the Achilles tendon on the back of the heel. Then sit with your legs in front of you and grab your toes, pulling them toward you to stretch the plantar tendon on the bottom of your foot. Both of these stretches help prevent heel spurs.
6. Make sure you don't stand or sit too long. Doing either for extended periods of time can contribute to poor circulation in your feet.
7. Go barefoot, but only when it's safe. It's a good idea to remove your shoes when you're inside your home. You should wear shoes outdoors because of the danger of stepping on sharp stones or other objects that might bruise or cut your feet.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're worried about the sterility of the tools used by the person giving you a pedicure, bring your own.
• Never go barefoot in a locker room. Wear rubber flip-flops or similar shoes into the shower. Dry your feet thoroughly and put on your socks before you put on your underwear. If you have athlete's foot and put your foot into your underwear, you'll soon have jock itch. (Women can get it too.)