Tips for Healthy Feet

You know your heart needs lots of TLC. Your feet do, too. After all, they are the workhorses of your body, taking about 5,000 steps a day. That's 2.5 miles! Not to mention that your feet have to bear the weight of your body every step of the way. In addition, we cram them into shoes and stand on them for long periods of time. Those hard-working feet deserve a little more attention than you're probably giving them. Here's what you need to know.

Basic Care

What kind of basic care do my feet need?

Just as you wouldn't go a day without brushing your teeth, you shouldn't you go a day without taking care your feet.

• Check them daily for cuts, sores, swelling, and infected toenails.
• Give them a good cleaning in warm water, but avoid soaking them because that may dry them out.
• Moisturize them every day with lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly. Don't put moisturizer between your toes. You want to keep the skin there dry to prevent infection.
• Avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes. Your shoes shouldn't hurt your feet.
• Skip the flip-flops and flats. They don't provide enough arch support.
• Rotate your shoes so you're not wearing the same pair every day.
• Trim your toenails straight across with a nail clipper. Then use an emery board or nail file to smooth the corners, which will prevent the nail from growing into your skin.