Four steps for keeping your feet healthy

We use our feet every day for so many tasks and we are constantly putting pressure on them. Unlike other parts of the body, like our hands and arms, the muscles, bones, skin and nails that make up our feet rarely get to take a rest.

With 26 bones and 33 joints, the foot is one of the more complex parts of the human body. That means that a lot can go wrong with your feet if you do not take proper care of them. Arthritis can set in with symptoms of swelling, pain, tenderness, redness, and stiffness – especially in the morning.

We must watch our step for athlete’s foot, a contagious fungus that flares up and down depending on the temperature and dampness of one’s footwear.

Although we often overlook washing our feet in the shower and inspecting them on a regular basis, there are simple ways to keep our feet in tip-top shape. In addition to cleaning and inspection, here are four simple steps to take in order to maintain a high degree of foot health:

1. Wear proper footwear. Shoes that do not fit your feet well can cause skin irritations, such as calluses, corns, blisters and bunions (hard bumps that form mainly on the big toe). Shoes should not be too large or too small, as both can lead to discomfort. Flip-flops are fun but lack arch and heel support that’s necessary to avoid leg and back pain.

2. Protect from fungus. Padding around shoeless raises the risk of cuts and infections, as well as picking up a fungus such as ringworm. Wear sandals or water shoes in public places prone to fungus such as the gym or pool. Warm, damp sneakers can stimulate fungal growth, so be sure to change sweaty socks between workouts.

3. Care for your nails. We like to use the “eye test” here because if you look at your toenails and you think they look too long, they probably are. Toenails should be cut straight across to prevent ingrown nails. If you go to a nail salon, make sure it is properly licensed and follows sanitary procedures. For anti-fungal benefits, try natural salves containing oregano and tea tree oils, organic beeswax and homeopathic ingredients such as calendula, thuja, Echinacea and sambucus.

4. Moisturize regularly. Using skin lotion or cream that is specifically meant for feet can work wonders. Moisturize your feet on a daily basis to prevent dryness and those unsightly and sometimes painful foot cracks. In the summer, when walking barefoot or wearing open-toed shoes, apply a lotion containing sunscreen – extending to all 10 “little piggies.”

We recommend doing your own regular foot check-ups, but if you have any concerns about the health status of your feet, ask a physician, podiatrist or other provider to check on them.

John Walczyk is a registered compounding pharmacist at Johnson Compounding & Wellness in Waltham (www.naturalcompounder.com). Readers with questions about natural or homeopathic medicine, compounded medications, or health in general can email john@naturalcompounder.com or call 781-893-3870.