During summer we care for our feet daily. We pamper them, pedicure them and make sure they look pretty in delicate shoes and cute slops, but in winter we change our flip flops for warm and sturdy boots and tend to neglect our feet. We stop moisturising them and only moisturise the body parts that are exposed. Our feet become dry and cracked, leaving them rather unsightly when summer arrives.
In order to protect your feet from the harshness of winter we have found some helpful foot care tips.
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Firstly, wash and dry your feet on a daily basis, especially between your toes.
Feet can be extremely dirty so it is important to wash away harmful bacteria, fungi or any unwanted odours. Warm and humid environments like when your socks are slightly damp or wet can aid fungal growth (like athletes’ foot). Consider alternating your shoes or using powder to dry out your damp shoes.
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Secondly, exfoliate your feet at least once a week.
Use a pumice stone to remove dead skin cells from your feet. This will allow cream to penetrate the layers of the skin. Health practitioners say that you should soak your feet in warm water for at least 15 minutes prior to exfoliation. This will help soften the skin cells so that they are easily removed. You can even buy a local exfoliating scrub to help remove the dry scaly skin. Do not ever cut away or use a knife to remove the dead skin cells, rather use an exfoliate brush or pumice stone.
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Lastly, you need to moisturise your feet daily.
In winter the air is extremely dry and your skin can become dehydrated. Without daily application of a moisturiser, your skin may crack and become painful to walk on. Apply cream on your feet daily and make sure that the cream is properly absorbed before putting or shoes or socks on.
If you follow these useful tips your feet should be hydrated and in great condition when summer arrives.
References:
- Podiatry Association of South Africa. http://www.podiatrist.co.za/foot-health/diabetics.html
- The Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/basics/causes/con-20014892
- The College of Podiatry. http://www.scpod.org/foot-health/common-foot-problems/athletes-foot/
