Be Sweet to Your Feet: Essential Foot Care Tips

Your feet work hard for you every day, so it’s important to give them the care they deserve. Proper foot care is crucial, especially if you have poor circulation, nerve damage, diabetes or trouble fighting infections. Foot problems can escalate quickly, making healing slow and difficult. The best way to prevent complications is to take proactive steps to keep your feet healthy. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your feet in top shape.

Click here for a printable version of these foot health tips.

Look at Your Feet Daily

A quick daily check can help you catch problems early. To examine your feet:

• Find a comfortable place to sit.
• Look at both the top and bottom of your feet.
• Don’t forget to check between your toes.
• Use a mirror to inspect hard-to-see areas or ask someone to help.

What Should You Look For?

If you notice any of these signs, take action right away:

• Redness
• Dry skin
• Corns or calluses
• Ingrown toenails
• Swelling
• Skin cracks
• Blisters

What Should You Do If You Find a Problem?

• Talk to an Elara Caring team member.
• Consult your doctor.
• Keep an eye on changes and avoid self-treatment of serious issues.

Practice Effective Foot Care

Taking care of your feet doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these simple dos and don’ts to maintain foot health.

DO:

• Wash your feet daily and dry them thoroughly with a towel.
• Check the bathwater temperature with your elbow before stepping in.
• Dry between your toes to prevent fungal infections.
• Apply lotion to dry skin but avoid the areas between your toes.
• Wear clean socks made of natural fibers such as cotton or wool.
• Always wear shoes to protect your feet from injury.
• Check inside your shoes for sharp edges or small objects before wearing them.

DON’T:

• Do not soak your feet in hot water.
• Avoid using heating pads or hot water bottles on your feet.
• Don’t use razor blades, scissors or knives to trim toenails.
• Avoid flip-flops, plastic shoes or pointy-toed shoes.
• Refrain from using corn removers or plasters for calluses and corns.

Choose the Right Shoes

Wearing proper footwear is one of the best ways to prevent foot problems. Keep these tips in mind:

• Ensure your shoes fit well—don’t just rely on how they feel.
• Have your feet measured at a shoe store.
• Make sure there is a thumb’s width between your toes and the end of the shoe.
• Shop for shoes in the afternoon or evening when your feet may be slightly larger.

Cut Your Toenails Properly

Trimming your toenails the right way can prevent painful issues like ingrown nails. Here’s how:

• Use clean toenail clippers and cut straight across.
• Smooth the edges with an emery board.
• Trim nails once a week when they are soft after washing.
• If you have difficulty trimming your nails or have foot problems, seek help from your doctor or an Elara Caring team member.

Your feet support you every step of the way—take care of them so they can take care of you!

Learn how Elara Caring can help you manage your health at home. Find your local Elara Caring branch or send us an email today!