Proper Way to Keep Healthy Feet

Overview

You probably spend far more time attending to your face and hands than you do your feet. Most people's feet are disregarded beneath their socks and shoes, enduring heat, sweat and stress on a daily basis. And while feet are a durable part of the body designed to withstand that wear and tear, they still develop problems of their own, such as ingrown toenails, blisters and muscle strains. But with a little maintenance, you can guard yourself against many of these problems.

Step 1

Wear shoes that properly fit your feet. Shoes that are too loose can increase the risk of an injury, such as a strained plantar muscle, while tight shoes can cause discomfort and blisters.

Step 2

Wash your feet every night, making sure to get between your toes.

Step 3

Cut your toenails in a straight line to prevent them from curling under and becoming an ingrown toenail. Fix sharp corners using a nail file. The easiest time to cut toenails is following a shower, when the cuticle is soft.

Step 4

Change your socks daily, and alternate shoes, if possible. Wearing dirty socks can increase your risk of developing a fungus, and will cause your feet to smell bad. Using different shoes each day will let the previously worn pair to air out.

Step 5

Minimize your time spent wearing high heels. If you have to wear them to work, wear comfortable shoes to and from work.

Step 6

Check the skin on your feet frequently. If it becomes dry or struggles with dryness, apply lotion to keep the skin moist.

Step 7

Apply lotion to the top of your feet when wearing sandals in the sun.