Tips and Toes

Tips for Tootsies

Before you even put shoes on, your feet need a little TLC. As I’ve mentioned before, it helps when you take care of your feet. Don’t forget our feet carry the rest of us to wherever we need to go. A lot of the time, our sore back, sore legs, sore knees are caused from how we stand, walk and sit. First thing, make sure your feet are kept clean and dry. Make sure between your toes are dry. If you can’t bend over to dry them, have someone help you. There are some infections that are out there, nail fungus and athlete’s foot, warts and plantar warts to name a few. Have a Podiatrist or Chiropodist check them out. You may need a prescription for these.

The next thing, make sure toenails are trimmed short. If you have an ingrown toenail which is painful, pull it up a bit and get a little bit of cotton from a swab and put it under the affected nail until it grows out. You will have to change it daily or a couple times so that no bacteria gets in there.

Pedicure Time!

Okay, who doesn’t love a pedicure? Right?! I can only give one bit of advice that I hope you take to heart. Please check out the salon beforehand and make sure the nail tech’s are cleaning the tools properly, using proper cleaning chemicals and for the proper amount of time, wiping all touch point surfaces properly. Ask questions and ask to have a tour to check the salon out. Red flag if they don’t let you or just brush over details. A little known fact is that nail salons are not regulated (I didn’t know this either until I took a Natural Nails course), sure, they have health inspectors come in, but do the health inspectors know all the ins and outs? Something to think about. Now with Covid protocols in place, I hope things can be even better. You can never be too careful because it is your health you are looking after.

If The Shoe Fits…

There is nothing worse than trying a pair of shoes that are gorgeous, seem an okay fit in the store, start wearing them the next day and they pinch, or you get a blister from the little suckers. “Maybe I just need to wear them and ‘break them in’ the little voice in your head says. Mmhm. After a couple days wearing them, they sit in the closet because lets face it, once you buy them you can’t take them back. The store will only let you return shoes that have a manufacturers defect. I’m not sure of any store that will let you return shoes that have been worn.

Tip of the day: It’s not a great idea to buy used shoes. You don’t know if the person before you had a contagious fungal infection, warts or something else. Buyer beware!

Did you know? There is no standardization for the size of shoes. That is why you can try on a size 7 of one maker and try on a size 7 of another and it is a bit larger or smaller.

Measuring Shoes

First, measure at the end of the day when your feet are the most swollen. This will help prevent tight fitting shoes.

Your shoe store should have one of those metal foot gauges. Have the associate measure your foot both length and width with it. Have both feet measured, as some people have one foot bigger than the other, same goes for the width.

It is always best to try shoes on to see how they fit. Not the best to buy shoes online. Unfortunately every shoe manufacturer goes by their own ‘size’. A little frustrating to say the least! The same goes with winter boots and hiking boots, don’t forget that you usually wear a little bit of a thicker sock with these.

When buying shoes, try and get a shoe with a good arch support. Are you someone who stands or walks on the outside/inside of your feet? Check the back of your running shoes, go on, check them, I’ll wait….

Did you notice wear on the heel? Are they worn down more on the outside of the sole or inside of the sole? When weight is placed on the outside of the foot when walking or running, that is called supination. When the weight is shifted to the inside of the foot, it is called pronation. This occurrence can be corrected with orthotics. If left uncorrected it may cause knee issues, hip pain, or even back problems as your body is trying to correct alignment. If you have any issues definitely check with your doctor.

Also, make sure they are sturdy, and have good ankle support, especially hiking boots. Check for good soles, make sure stitching is not frayed, and look for any glued areas not coming apart.

At The End Of The Day…

It is a good idea to make a routine to look after our feet, always. They carry us to our destinations and take a beating from us most every day. Check feet for any blisters, dry skin, bumps or bruises, warts, etc. and take care of these as soon as possible. Try some of the recipes that I have posted in earlier blogs for foot soaks and scrubs, or if you need something medicated or more specialized, check out your local health store.

Here’s a fun trick to try with both young and old. Sit in a chair with feet flat on floor. Lift your right foot, and circle it clockwise. Keep doing it for a bit. Now at the same time, draw a number ‘6’ in the air with your right hand. Is your foot still going clockwise?

As always, if you have any questions or are interested in a topic please email me!

Until next time, stay well, stay safe.

Sandra