Posts for tag: healthy feet
As the summer nights start to cool and Labor Day is nearing, it must mean school is quickly approaching. This means it's time for parents to find those back-to-school shopping deals and get their student ready for a great year. One of the most important purchases to make is a new pair of shoes. They must fit correctly, stay within the budget and most importantly (for the student) look cool.
When choosing shoes it is important to keep many factors in mind, as not all shoes are created equal. It is important to bring your child with you when buying their shoes. Every shoe fits differently and letting them have a say in what shoe they wear promotes healthy foot habits. Depending on their age and growth rate, sock and shoe sizes can change every few months. Again, having them with you will allow for the correct size to be purchased. A shoe that does not fit properly can aggravate the feet. This can cause irritation and lead to problems such as bunions and ulcers. It is an excellent idea to measure your child's feet before buying and watch for signs of pain when trying on different styles. Buying shoes that do not need a "break-in" period is important. Shoes are now constructed to be comfortable immediately. Children rarely have the exact same size foot so make sure to buy for the larger foot. Handing down footwear from one child to another is not a good practice. Just because a shoe size fits one child doesn't mean it with fit another. Sharing shoes can spread fungi like athlete's foot and nail fungus.
Once you and your child have selected a shoe, apply this quick three step test. This test is designed to make sure the shoe will bend with the foot in the correct way. First, look for a stiff heel. Press on both sides of the heel counter and make sure it doesn't collapse. Next, check the toe flexibility. The shoe should bend with your child's toes not being overly flexible or stiff. Lastly select a shoe with a rigid middle. Using two hands grasp the toe and heal area attempting to twist the shoe, twisting is a bad sign. If the shoe fails one of these steps, try a different model.
It's the time of the year when flip-flops and ice cream cones create an excellent combination. The same reasons people enjoy the foot freedom of flip-flops also lead to a podiatric nightmare. While poor flip-flops offer little arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption, all give little protection. This increases the risk for stubbed toes, glass cuts, puncture wounds, or having objects crush the foot. The following is a do's and don'ts list according the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for purchasing and using this type of sandal.
Do's
- Do shop for a flip-flop made of high quality, soft leather. Leather is the best prevention of blisters and other types of irritation.
- Do gently bend the flip-flop from end to end before buying. Only purchase those that bend at the ball of the foot, shoes of any kind should never fold in half.
- Do ensure that your foot does not hang off the edge of the flip-flop.
- Do look for flip-flops that hold APMA's Seal of Acceptance. Evaluated by a team of APMA podiatrists, these products are shown to allow for the most normal foot function and health. For a complete list of all flip-flops with APMA Seal of Acceptance see http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/RecommendedProducts/SealofAcceptance/Seal-Flip-Flops.aspx
- Do wear a sturdy pair of flip-flops when walking around a pool, beach, locker room areas, and hotel rooms. Walking barefoot can expose the foot to plantar wars and athlete's foot.
Don'ts
- Don't re-wear flip-flops year after year. Inspect older pairs for wear and discard them if they show signs of severe wear.
- Don't ignore irritation between toes where the toe thong fits. Irritation can lead to blisters and possible infections.
- Don't wear flip-flops while walking long distances. Even the sturdiest flip-flops offer little in terms of shock absorption and arch support.
- Don't play sports in flip-flops. It becomes much easier to twist the foot or angle causing sprains and breaks.
- Don't do yard work while wearing flip-flops. Always wear a shoe that fully protects feet when doing outside activities especially when mowing the lawn or using a weed-eater.
As the temperature raises it's time to kick off your boots and slip into your most favorite (and most revealing) pair of sandals. But before you head to the beach you might want to consider some spring cleaning for your feet. During the winter months your feet are exposed to many harmful conditions. Wearing those thick socks and heavy shoes can lead to moisture buildup while the opposite occurs when barefoot, as your feet can become extra dry due to the lack of moisture in the air.
To start the season off right, smart choices about grooming and extra care are important. The following at-home treatments recommended by the foot experts at the APMA are designed to get your feet ready for their showing in your favorite summer shoes.
1. Fill a bucket large enough for both feet with warm water and place it at the base of a comfortable chair.
2. Remove nail polish with non-acetone polish remover.
3. While sitting, grasp your foot and begin slowly moving your thumbs from the top of your toes to the bottom of your heal and back. Repeat this stroking as many times as needed to warm your feet and increase circulation.
4. Use a nail clipper to cut toenails straight across. Then use an emery board to smooth nail edges by filing in one direction without drastically rounding edges.
5. Soak feet in warm bucket of water for at least 5 minutes.
6. Raise feet out of bucket and place a foot file or pumice stone into the water. Use the file or stone to gently smooth the skin around the heal, balls, and sides of your feet.
7. Use a fresh towel to dry feet being sure to dry between each toe. As you are drying, cup your heel with one had at the ankle and grab the top of your foot with the other hand. Next, rotate the foot slowly at the ankle a few times in each direction. This will loosen your foot joints.
8. Apply and massage emollient-enriched skin lotion all over your feet. This will hydrate the skin and increase circulation.
9. After allowing the lotion to soak in, wash your feet with soap and water.
10. Before bed, lightly wrap cellophane around your entire foot. This will hold in the moisture allowing your feet to feel soothingly soft in the morning.