Tips For Foot Hygiene

When was the last time you evaluated your foot hygiene? If your feet are stinky, dry, unsightly, or crusty, you could have foot-related issues that have serious health consequence. This is why foot hygiene is so important!

In this blog, the Dallas podiatrists at AllCare Foot & Ankle Center will give you basic tips for foot hygiene that keep your feet looking (and smelling) great, and help your feet avoid a variety of ailments. It’s time to go toe to toe with poor foot hygiene—read on for tips to keep your feet healthy and happy!

Keep your feet clean.

This might be the most obvious tip on our list, but it’s one that seems to escape the grasp of many of our patients—probably because “clean” means different things to different people. Let us ask you a question: When was the last time you actually scrubbed your feet in the shower? Did you scrub between the toes? For some, this activity might happen once a week, and for others, it might happen once a month, if ever.

If you fail to actively scrub your feet every single day, you’re putting yourself at risk for a fungal foot infection—so whip out a soft sponge, some soap, and a little bit of elbow grease to get the job done.  

To ensure that your feet stay clean, be sure to change out your socks daily and wear breathable footwear that wicks away sweat. Keeping your feet clean is a full-time job, so make sure you’re practicing good habits that keep sweat and bacteria at bay.

Keep your feet dry.

Moisture is the key ingredient for the large majority of fungal foot infections—that’s why it’s important to keep your feet dry. Without moisture, fungus does not have what it needs to survive—so be sure to dry your feet thoroughly when you hop out of the shower (don’t forget to run your towel between each of your toes). Eliminate sweaty feet with breathable footwear and moisture-wicking socks, and be sure to give your feet a quick rinse and dry after lengthy workouts or hikes to wash away bacteria and keep your feet feeling fresh.

Cut your toenails properly.

Be sure to cut your toenails straight across—rounding your toenails or cutting them too short will increase the risk for painful ingrown toenails. The healthiest toenails have a little white at the ends, which is uncomfortable for some—but it’s the best way to ensure you have healthy toenails for years to come.

Talk to your Dallas podiatrist!

For the best foot hygiene and health, you need to make sure you’re addressing foot health issues in their early stages. Otherwise, you could be at risk for health problems that affect more than just your feet. That’s where AllCare Foot & Ankle Center can help. Stop by if you are experiencing foot problems, and come to us for more excellent tips on how to keep your feet healthy. Schedule an appointment with us today!