We spend up to 80 percent of our day on our feet, with each foot absorbing thousands of pounds of accumulated pressure. With those stats, it’s no mystery that, occasionally, our feet show signs of fatigue. The causes of foot pain are vast, ranging from ill-fitting shoes, diseases like diabetes and arthritis, and poor circulation. The result can be soreness, cracking heels, corns, toenail fungus, and more. Most people are affected by one or more of these ailments at some point in their lives. Read on for ways to treat your tired and sore feet!
1. Dry, scaly skin
To treat: Depending on the material of your shoes or the weather, dry, flaking skin is a common occurrence. Exfoliating masks, foot scrubs, and homemade mixtures can show immediate results. Masks and scrubs can be found in most drug and cosmetic stores for under $5. For a natural DIY mixture, try soaking feet in mouthwash and vinegar!
To prevent: Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Also, try to avoid long, hot showers that can have a drying effect on skin.
2. Foot or toenail fungus
To treat: Left untreated, toenail fungus can lead to splitting and even total loss of the toenail. Tea Tree Oil, a natural antiseptic and antifungal can help treat toenail fungus as well as other kinds of skin infections. Athlete’s Foot is a common fungus that can be treated with powders, creams, washes, and even oral pills. The most important part in treating the fungus is properly identifying the cause so that the correct treatments can be chosen.
To prevent: Keep your shoes on as much as possible! Walking around barefoot makes your feet and toes vulnerable to funguses and disease. Also, avoid sharing pedicure tools (like emery boards and toenail clippers) with friends or family. Using the same tools makes feet susceptible to the spread of infection and fungus.
3. Soreness and cramping
To treat: After a long day on your feet or cramming them into uncomfortable shoes all day, treat your soles to some soothing therapy. Rolling a tennis or lacrosse ball along the bottoms of your bare feet massages and stretches aching feet. Toe relaxers can be bought online for as little as $8 to effectively realign toes while restoring flexibility and circulation.
To prevent: Be sure to wear shoes that are the correct size for your feet to prevent squeezing. Custom inserts from your foot doctor can make a huge difference for varying foot-types such as flat feet or high arches.
– Christine Gomolka, Writer, Sales Professional, Teacher
