Taking Care of Your Feet
Working as a physician caring for patients over the past 34 years, one thing I have noted is that not many people have given thought to taking care of their feet. Consequently, I have come in contact with strong foot odors, toenail fungus, deeply cracked skin and thick calluses. As we age this becomes more problematic as it can be associated with cellulitis, an infection of the skin and legs.
Our feet are usually covered in shoes all day and take the weight of our body, so therefore are prone to being slightly damp and forming calluses. This is a formula for skin fungus to thrive and that is a problem you need to be on top of.
Foot Care Basics
Your feet, like your face, require care and attention. Try this strategy 1-2x a week, if not more to keep your feet in their best shape.
Soak your feet in either warm Epsom salt or apple cider vinegar for 15-30 minutes. You can do this sitting in your shower or bathroom while relaxing with a good book or magazine. Use a plastic tub that both feet can fit comfortably. If using Epsom salt, make a solution of 1/4 cup salt to each gallon of warm water. If using apple cider vinegar, add 1/4 cup to the Epsom salt-water mixture.
The skin on your feet will become soft and pliable after soaking. Now, using a pumice stone, gently scrub away the dead skin using a slightly firm back and forth motion. This can be done with feet still in the water, where you will see the murkiness of the water as the dead skin is removed, or with feet slightly dried over a towel.
Next, use a nail scoop to push back your cuticle and clean the underside of each nail. You may be surprised by the amount of dead nail tissue that comes out from under the nail. This is a good thing to get out of there.
For toenail fungus, apply a few drops of rosemary, marjoram or oregano oil to your toes and nails daily. This can also be used a preventive strategy daily after your shower.
If you have a large amount of toenail fungus, you may choose to see a podiatrist. In my practice I have found that removing sugar, refined flours and alcohol from the diet helps immensely. The diet change will take around 3 months before seeing the results, however this works faster that using medications to cure the problem, which can take upwards of a year and needs monitoring for toxicity.
Before bed, massage your feet with an emollient cream and wear socks to be careful not to ruin your bedsheets and lock in the moisture.
Now you have clean feet but let’s not forget about those stinky shoes! It is time to get your shoes clean and give them a good airing out. For starters, try and rotate your shoes. If real leather insoles are something you can afford, these types of shoes can hold less odor. If not, make it a habit to clean out the insides of your shoes with a rag dipped in apple cider vinegar and oils that repel fungus, such as oregano, rosemary, or tea tree oil.
Air out shoes overnight and then use a cedar shoe block to absorb moisture and prevent odor. Once your shoe is smelly, it is best to discard them and get a new pair, starting your new shoe care from day one.
The Right Tools for the Job
A plastic tub that can fit both feet comfortably - if short on space try getting a collapsible tub
Epsom salt and/or apple cider vinegar
Pumice stone or a loofah scrubber
A nail scooper that can be used for pushing back cuticles and cleaning under your toenails
Emollient foot creams that do not contain petroleum or parabens, such as:
Burt’s Bees Foot Cream - widely available although slightly greasy
Badger Balm - all natural formula with a lovely peppermint scent
Dr. Teal’s Foot Cream - contains Epsom salt to relieve itchy feet
Ancient Greek Foot Cream - feels good on skin with a nice scent
L’occitane en Provence Foot Cream - pricey but goes on without leaving any residue
The Honest Co. All Purpose Cream - quite thick & greasy, but contains no fragrance
Essential Oils - tea tree, rosemary, marjoram and oregano, seek high quality brands, such as:
Aura Cacia Brand - available at Whole Foods
Plant Therapy - available on Amazon
Bedtime Socks - need to be washed at least weekly and only used while in bed
Cedar shoe inserts
