Foot Care For The Summer
Summer is the time to free those feet from socks and those gorgeous leather booties you've been wearing all autumn. It's the time to show off that beautiful pedicure and those colorful toes. It's also the time for athlete's foot, cracked feet, or sore arches from wearing flip flops and other poorly supported shoes during the summer months. See below for some foot care tips to get you through summer.
Wear The Right Shoes
Sure, flip flops may be comfortable to wear, but not every day, all day long. Be sure to give your feet a break and wear something more sturdy. Look for flip flops that have an extra strap in the back to keep your toes from trying to grip those flip flops and causing toe pain. Also look for sandals that have some support. If flip flops just can't be skipped, look for athletic flip flops that have an arch and extra cushion. If heels are your go to during summer, look for heels that have a lower, wider heel to support your ankles a little better.
Give Your Feet A Break
Allow time to put your feet up after being on them all day. Take off those shoes and put them up on a pillow while relaxing on the couch. Give them a good soak if you can. Take a small foot bath or add some warm water to the bathtub, then add some epsom salts and a few drops of lavender essential oil (optional) to the bath. Allow your feet to soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes. The epsom salts will help make your feet soft, while also detoxing them. The lavender is a nice relaxing scent.
Pamper Your Feet
After the foot bath soak, use a foot file to gently slough off dead skin cells from the heels, toe pads, and ankle areas that can get rough. Clip nails straight across to prevent ingrown nails, and remove old nail polish. File down the nails to keep them smooth, then re-paint them with a brand new color, or keep them bare to give your nails a break.
Spray Shoes
Help get rid of bad odors in your shoes by spraying them with an ant-fungal spray. It will help remove the bad odors and prevent athlete's foot. You can also use a powder in your shoes. You can use spray on your sandals as well, but flip flops should be replaced each year, as they can accumulate with a lot of fungus and bacteria. Flip flops are cheap enough that replacing them shouldn't break the bank.
Take good care of your feet in the summer months to prevent injury, fungus and to keep your feet looking beautiful. If you find you're experiencing foot pain or other issues, contact a podiatrist found on sites like http://www.advancedfootclinic.org.