Footcare: How To Keep Your Feet Healthy

Footcare is vital for people who are suffering from diseases like diabetes. Your feet are one of the essential parts of your body – they support you, help you move around, and keep you balanced. So it’s vital to care for them and ensure they stay healthy. 

Since diabetes puts your feet at risk, you must practice proper footcare for diabetes. Even a minor cut can have major repercussions. Diabetes can lead to nerve degeneration, resulting in a loss of sensation in the feet. Diabetes can also lower the amount of blood that flows to the feet, making it more difficult for an injury to heal or for the body to fight off an infection.

Here are some tips on how to ensure your feet remain healthy always.

6 Tips to Keep Your Feet Healthy

1. Inspect Your Feet Regularly

Examine your feet for any signs of injury, such as redness, blisters, cuts, or cracks in the skin. Use a hand mirror with a magnification feature if you cannot view the soles of your feet. If you are experiencing difficulties, you should consult a physician or a physical therapist. If you have an issue with your feet, you should never disregard it. If you have diabetes, you need to examine your feet every day.

2. Clean Your Feet Daily and Wear Clean, Dry Socks

Use lukewarm water to wash your feet every day. Use neither hot nor cold water. Water that is overly hot or cold might hurt your skin, particularly if you have diabetes and have a diminished sense of touch. Use light soap and a soft washcloth or sponge. Then, thoroughly rinse and completely dry your feet before putting on socks and shoes.

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons cautions that diabetes raises the chance of developing various foot issues. Most socks trap moisture against our skin as our feet sweat. Additionally, irritation or problems might be brought on by socks that are bundled or too tight around the calf or ankle. Implement footcare for diabetes, like wearing special socks with increased cushioning and moisture-wicking material.

3. Always Wear Well-Fitted Shoes

When walking, it is crucial to ensure you wear shoes that provide adequate support for your feet and ankles. Make sure the shoes you purchase will not cause your feet any discomfort by wearing them. Blisters, which may lead to infection or other problems, may be caused by shoes that do not fit well.

A physical therapist can help you find shoes or shoe insoles that provide the right amount of arch and metatarsal support and ensure that your shoes are the right fit for general wear or sports-specific activity.

4. Cut Nails Carefully and Regularly

Keep your fingernails and toenails groomed, but don’t cut them too short. When nails are cut too short, they are more likely to become ingrown, which can be painful and lead to infection. First, cut the nails across the diagonally, and then carefully file the edges. This produces the best results. A podiatrist can help you if you cannot cut your nails on your own. If you go to a nail salon, you should be sure to advise the technicians that they should be careful not to harm your skin while filing or cutting your toenails too short.

5. Keep Your Blood Sugar Under Control

Diabetes can lead to complications with your feet. A lack of cutaneous sensation can result from a nerve injury that high blood sugar levels can bring. The diminished blood flow to your feet can make it more difficult for them to recover from injuries or fight off infections.

To prevent type 2 diabetes and maintain optimal blood sugar levels, one must engage in physical activity regularly and eat correctly. Whether or not you have diabetes, getting the recommended amount of physical activity daily is essential for preventing and effectively managing various diseases and conditions, including diabetes.

6. Moisturize Your Feet at Night

Always moisturize your feet at night to maintain the softness and health of your skin. This may help prevent your skin from becoming itchy or cracked. You should try to avoid getting lotion in the space between your toes.

Keep Your Feet Healthy With NetStep Custom Orthotics

Feet are often the most neglected part of our body regarding health. However, they are also essential parts of our anatomy. Not only do feet carry us around all day long, but they also play a vital role in our posture and overall health. Taking care of them is crucial by following some simple footcare tips. One great way to keep your feet healthy is by using NetStep Custom Orthotics. These orthotics can help you achieve better alignment, support your arches, and improve your balance and mobility. So if you want to keep your feet happy and healthy, give NetStep Custom Orthotics a try!