What you need to know about your feet – GOOD FORM

You’re very picky about your feet and you didn’t even know it. Typically, you walk at least 8,000 steps a day. And, let’s be honest, how much attention (and affection) do you give them other than the basic weekly pedicure? It’s time to change that. Check out our tips to take better care of yourself and achieve the feet of your dreams: beautiful and healthy.

1. Public shower, feet always shod

This tip is not new, but it is always good to reinforce. Locker room showers are fertile ground for getting some kind of fungus, like the famous (and annoying!) athlete’s foot. Therefore, be sure to wear sandals when taking a shower in any public place. Be careful, too, when drying your feet with the towel – especially between your toes. And, a tip: if you are going to book a pedicure, book the first appointment of the day, as the basins are more likely to be better sanitized.

2. Your feet speak about your health more than you think

Just as observing changes in the skin can be a sign of some disease, in the feet too. For example, if the hair on your toes suddenly disappears and the skin becomes thinner or purple, it could be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD) – poor circulation caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries of your leg. PAD is a big red flag for heart problems or a stroke, as clogged arteries in the legs are often associated with blockages in other parts of the body. Also pay special attention to the skin on the feet, especially if the skin is very dry or if the ulcer on the feet does not heal. This could be a sign of diabetes.

3. Pointy toe shoes are the worst

Shoes that push the big toe inward towards the little toes can help with bunions – bumps that form over the bone at the base of the big toe. The skin overlying the bunion can become red, irritated and swollen, making even walking extremely uncomfortable. Opt for rounded toes and heels with a maximum height of 5 cm.

4. The length of your toes makes a difference

If your second toe is longer than your first toe, you’re more likely to get bunions, hammer toes – those that bend downwards, and even back problems due to how you distribute pressure throughout your foot. body. When you have the second toe longer than the first, the tendency is for the weight of the stride to fall on it and not on the big toe, as it should be, causing the so-called Morton’s toe. Look for a podiatrist to choose the best footwear for the shape of your feet, as the wrong shoes can worsen the condition.

5. Insistent nail fungus

If your nails have started to discolor or are thicker and more brittle, chances are it’s fungus. Keep the foot dry and if the sock is sweaty, change it. This helps prevent fungus, which thrives in hot, humid environments and can invade your skin through small cuts.

6.It’s Not Your Imagination: Your Feet Really Get Bigger

Even if you don’t gain weight, chances are you’ve gained at least one size in the last decade. Feet become longer and wider with age because tendons and ligaments lose elasticity. So don’t be alarmed if your numbers increase.

7. Diabetics need to take special care with their feet

If you have diabetes, check your feet daily for blisters, cuts, redness, or ulcers. If wounds are neglected and not treated correctly, the chances of an infection increase, which can lead to serious consequences, including amputation.