Shoe Boxers

Hot weather can be hard on your feet, but winter weather can be just as worse. From dry skin to sweaty feet where they are stuck in winter boots and winter shoes. But you can save your tootsies in three simple steps. You don’t need time to get your feet into shape, you just need consistency.

1. Pick the right shoes: Poorly fitting shoes are the number one cause of foot issues. Either it’s too high of a heel or too tight on the foot. These problems can create bunions, blisters, corns, calluses, and even sprained ankles. At times too tight of shoes can cause ingrown toenails as well. The best solution to these issues is to wear shoes that have a wide toe so that they don’t bunch up the toes during wear. Always alternate your shoes from day to day so that your feet don’t feel confined. This will give your shoes plenty of time to dry out completely and the padding in the shoe will go back to its normal shape as well.

2. Give your Feet a good soaking: Soak your feet in a soothing tea bath for added relief from foot discomfort or wearing certain shoes for a long period of time as well. You can use rosemary tea for a great soaking. It helps to warm the feet inside and out. Use about 1 tbs. dried rosemary or 3 tbs. fresh rosemary to achieve these great soak. You can even use a salt scrub on your feet by using ground sea salt and 1/2 cup of olive oil, you can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oil blend as well.

3. Helping problem feet: Giving your feet a good massage is the best way to help with problems with the foot. Cut your toenails straight across when trimming them as well. Never cut down into the side of the nails bed. Rubs your rough areas of your feet with a pumice stone to remove calluses and corns. Apply tea tree oil to fungus and athletes foot as well.

1. Ill fitting shoes cause bunions? [T or F]

2. Osteoporosis is a foot condition? [T or F]

3. Plantar fasciitis is a nasty case of warts. [T or F]

4. It’s not safe to remove corns at home. [T or F]

5. Broken toes don’t need to be treated. [T or F]

Answers:

1. False. High heels and other toe-squishing footwear might contribute to the problem, but these abnormal bony growths form because of laxity in the joint at the base of the big toe. Trading in narrow, poity-toed pumps for low-heeled, roomy shoes can slow or even halt a bunion’s progression.

2. True. While this progressive bone loss disease most commonly affects the spine or hips, a stress fracture in the foot is often one of the first signs of it.

3. False. It’s actually an inflammation of the connective tissue running from your heel to the base of your toews. Plantar fasciitis becomes more common with age. See your doctor, who may suggest a program of pain medication and stretches.

4. True. Cutting away these highly concentrated areas of tough skin or removing them with medicated pads can lead to infection. Because most corns are caused by ill-fitting shoes or a tendency to roll inward or outward while walking (both put friction on tender spots), take preventive action by wearing roomy shoes that don’t rub and asking your doctor about orthotics to correct gait problems.

5. False. Toe bones that don’t heal properly can lead to arthritis and deformities later. Taping is the usual treatment for a fracture, but if an x-ray confirms that the bone is also out of alignment, a cast, pin, screw, or plate may be needed to reposition it.
(Source: Prevention 2008)