Foot hygiene and solid foot care tips are your secret weapons for happy and healthy feet! Everyone should practice a clean and healthy foot routine, but those with foot conditions such as diabetes or chronic fungal infections should be extra vigilant. Today we’ll talk about the best foot cleaning practices and how to implement them into your daily foot care routine.

Foot Health Essentials: How to Keep Your Feet Clean and Protected

Foot hygiene is pretty straightforward stuff! But you may make some minor missteps along the way. Take a look below at the best ways to wash, dry and moisturize your feet.

Washing Your Feet

Wash your feet daily with natural, gentle soaps in warm water. Hot water can negatively impact your blood circulation by increasing the size of the blood vessels, so be careful with temperatures.

Moisturizing Your Feet

Use lotion on the bottom and top of your feet. This can help you prevent calluses, corns, cracked heels, and more. Natural, fragrance-free and medicinal lotions are your best bet (try Gehwol at Feet First Clinic!). If you have diabetes, be extra careful to avoid putting lotion in between your toes; it could cause an infection depending on the lotion. Fungal infections also favour wet toes and tend to appear there.

Keeping Your Feet Dry

Thoroughly dry your feet after washing them. If you get lazy and keep them damp, you are again more likely to attract contagious fungal infections (they love moist environments!).

Invest in products that help manage foot dampness and repel excess moisture. These include moisture-wicking socks (also remember to change your sock frequently!), waterproof shoes and boots, running shoes with perforated holes in the uppers, and various foot deodorant products (creams, powders, sprays). These products are also great for preventing foot odour.

Toenail Care and Foot Hygiene

Keeping your nails in top shape is an important element of foot hygiene. Follow these nail care tips to protect your nails and keep them clean and strong.

• Cut your nails straight across with high-quality nail clippers. Don’t try to shape them during this stage!
• Avoid cutting your nails too close to the skin; this will cause ingrown toenails.
• Gently use a nail file for subtle shaping.
• Don’t try to cut your own cuticles if you’re prone to infections. They protect the nails and getting rid of them improperly may welcome fungi.
• Schedule a medical pedicure for professional care and a cleaning of hard-to-reach areas.

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Take Your Foot Cleanliness to New Heights!

Our toenail and skin care services can help bring your foot hygiene to a higher standard. Our chiropodists can also help guide you on the best ways to care for your feet from home. Visit us in-store for foot care products, book an appointment online, or call us at (416) 769-3338!

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