In a nutshell, poor hygiene can inevitably result in poor health. If you’re a new parent, you might not have paid extra mind to the hygiene of your feet recently, however, more than looking clean, proper foot care is essential to avoiding foot injuries and common conditions like athlete’s foot.

Everything from the sweat on your feet to the contaminants they come in contact with affects how your feet feel and smell. Did you know that your feet have around 250,000 sweat glands? A sweaty foot is a conducive environment for bacteria to thrive and proliferate which can lead to odor and even infections. In fact, approximately 5% of Americans suffer from foot infections that you can easily get from bathroom floors or by walking barefoot.

Read more: Must Follow Hygiene Tips for Children

Your feet play an important role in your life as a mom, so don’t miss this essential guide to keeping them healthy, soft, and strong:

Tips to Keep Your Feet Healthy

1. Maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly and consuming a balanced diet. Obesity adds more stress on your feet and also puts you at higher risk for several other health problems.

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2. Your feet may have changed in size while you were pregnant. Invest in a well-fitting pair of comfortable and supportive shoes; when shoe-shopping, go in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest and get your feet measured by an employee with experience.

3. Avoid wearing high heels as much as possible but if it can’t be avoided, choose those with a wider platform so they don’t cause you to tiptoe while you walk. Wearing high heels doesn’t just result in foot pain but also low back pain and chronic knee pain.

4. If it doesn’t fit, don’t wear it. Keep in mind that the discomfort and pain brought by wearing ill-fitting shoes can bring about other health problems like hammer toes, bunions, corns, and other deformities.

5. Rub a pumice stone over your feet while you’re in the shower to remove dead skin cells and calluses. Salicylic acid may help dissolve your calluses but be sure to consult your podiatrist first.

6. Carrying your baby on your arms for long periods, most especially when you are on your feet, can lead to foot pain and fatigue. To provide additional support and minimize discomfort, wear arch support inserts in your footwear.

7. Relieve tense muscles by massaging your feet with your hands or by using a rolling pin or tennis ball (just roll it back and forth along your foot). This can ease foot ache and provide relaxation.

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8. Do not use a pair of shoes that already lost its shape. Worn out shoes provide little support, alter your body mechanics, and fail to absorb shock effectively.

9. Soak your feet in a vinegar mixture for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a week to remove odor, relieve the symptoms of athlete’s foot, and soothe dry feet. All you need to do is mix 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. If you have diabetes, consult your doctor first.

Practicing Good Foot Hygiene

1. Wash feet daily using warm water and soap but avoid soaking them for too long since that might strip away the skin’s natural oils and cause dryness. Use antibacterial soap as needed.

2. Just like the rest of your body, you need to moisturize your feet as well; nothing fancy, even petroleum jelly or regular lotion will do.

3. After washing, dry your feet thoroughly and make sure to pay particular attention in between the toes since it’s where fungal infections usually develop.

4. Regularly inspect your feet for cuts, bruises, blisters, swelling, tenderness, or open sores.

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5. When trimming your toenails, cut straight across to avoid developing ingrown nails. Use only nail clippers (some people use regular small scissors not intended for nails) and smooth the corners with a nail file.

6. Don’t use your socks more than once. Change them every day to avoid harboring bacteria which can cause smelly feet.

7. For sweaty feet, sprinkle them with antifungal foot powder after drying. You can also opt for mesh or canvas shoes because they have better ventilation so you won’t sweat as much. Padded socks are also helpful since they have moisture-wicking properties.

8. Never go barefoot in public areas like showers at the gym or hotel bathrooms. Wear flip-flops instead but don’t wear them ALL the time because flat footwear like this doesn’t provide adequate arch support.

Seek medical help when you experience:

• Feet swelling for more than 48 hours

• No relief from pain even after taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

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• Signs of infection

• Redness, tenderness, or tingling sensation

• Discolored toenails

• Difficulty in walking

Giving your feet a little TLC is one of the least time-intensive tasks you have and definitely one of the most beneficial. Keep these helpful tips in mind the next time you shower, go shoe shopping, or exercise!

Read more: Smart Ways to Instil Hygiene in Your Baby

Hope this article was of help for all our parents!! Please share your comments/queries/tips with us and help us create a world full of Happy and Healthy Babies!!