How to take care of your feet

October 27, 2017

You need your feet to get to everywhere, so why not take care of them?

1. Keep an eye on them

Your feet take a beating every day, and small problems can turn into big ones if you ignore them. Look over your feet each day for cuts, sores, loose or discolored toenails, swelling, or rashes.

2. Wash them

When you’re walking, they’re working — and they sweat, too. When the cracks and crevices between your toes are trapped in your shoes, they’re a warm, moist place that’s ideal for fungus. And that can lead to things like athlete’s foot. When you wash your feet, the water shouldn’t be too hot — between 90 and 95 degrees is best — and don’t forget to get between your toes.

3. Dry them

This may seem obvious, but many people don’t dry their feet the right way. It’s not just the tops and bottoms: You should get between your toes — where fungus is most likely to cause problems.

4. Sprinkle powder

After you dry your feet, sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder on them to help keep them dry. If you have athlete’s foot or some other infection, you can try special medicated foot powders that help with itching, too.

5. Don’t soak them

It may feel good at the time, but soaking your feet for long periods can lead to dry, cracked skin that can cause pain, sores, and even infection. Wash, dry, powder, and repeat — and leave it at that.

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