Diseases, disorders and disabilities of the foot or ankle affect the quality of life and mobility of millions of Americans. However, the general public and even many physicians are unaware of the important relationship between foot health and overall health and well-being. With this in mind, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) would like to [...]
Foot Care
Oatmeal foot scrub
1/3 cup oatmeal or 1 packet instant oatmeal
3 tablespoons olive oil
Mix ingredients in a bowl. Massage into feet for 5 minutes.
Brown sugar foot scrub
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon almond (or olive) oil.
Mix all the ingredients until it resembles a paste. Use circular motion and massage gently. Rinse off with warm water.
Salt foot scrub
1 cup of sea salt
1/2 cup of cold water
2 drops of lavender essential oil
Gradually add water to salt and lavender oil. As you are adding it, you want to make sure the mix starts looking like a paste. Rub your feet and soles in circular motion. Rinse well.
Lavender herbal foot soak
5 litres of warm water
2 drops of lavender essential oil
1/4 cup of sea salt
Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes.
Overnight foot mask
4 teaspoons of almond oil or olive oil
2 teaspoons of cocoa butter
2 tablespoons honey
4 vitamin E capsules
Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl and work the mask into you feet. Step into cotton socks, and leave on overnight. The next morning, remove the socks and rinse feet in lukewarm water.
1 tablespoon of baking soda
2-10 drops of your favorite essential oil
Mix baking soda and oil in a plastic bag, shake well. Break up any clumps that may have formed. Dust feet regularly with the powder and add a teaspoon in the shoes overnight. Baking soda acts as an antibacterial agent preventing excessive perspiration. It kills the existing bacteria and prevents any possible infection
Diabetic patients are prone to foot infections. Healing is affected by changes in extremities of blood vessels and decreased circulation. Gangrene development, infection of cuts and sores is common. Often, the limb has to be amputated.So here are some of the common precautions that can be followed for better feet health:
Use a mirror to monitor daily feet infections. Feet have to be inspected daily for redness, blisters, cuts, cracks, swelling and color changes.
Wear correct fitting socks and shoes with enough room to wiggle the toes. Check the shoes for presence of foreign objects like gravel that can cause sores.
Wash and dry feet and inspect the region between toes on a daily basis.
Trim your nails after a bath, cut them straight across and then smoothen the edges using an emery board.
Self-treatment of corns, calluses and ingrown toenails should not be done. Always consult a podiatrist.
In case of dry skin, apply cream and petroleum jelly to feet and heels avoiding the region between toes. Leaving cream on the cervices can cause waterlogging making the skin more susceptible to infections.
Sitting postures that cross the legs limits circulation.
Diabetes can cause neuropathy wherein we become unaware of heat in waters leading to burns. Do not use heating pads or hot water bottles. Maintain water baths at 85-90 F or 30-32 C. Prolonged exposure to cold decreases blood circulation.
Improve the decreased blood circulation by following a regular exercise routine prescribed by the health care professional.
Practice preventive care, be observant and follow up on any possible signs with a suitable physician. Get your feet assessed by your healthcare professional during every visit.
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