Tips to Take Care of Your Feet on Rainy Days
French pedicure (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The monsoons are here; those wet, splashy days when you have to walk through puddles and go on long rain drop strewn walks. As lush and green rainy days are, they can also be super messy and slushy and your feet bear a lot of the brunt! As fun as monsoon days can be they also come with a whole load of potential infections, skin issues and foot problems.
The next time you are planning to head out on a wet, rainy day make sure you take certain precautions to ensure that you keep your feet safe and hygienic and safe from nasty infections that can be uncomfortable, itchy and annoying.
- Keep your feet as dry as possible – When you have to step out for work and other responsibilities, it is unavoidable to get a little wet during heavy monsoons. Aim to keep your feet as dry as possible. Wear waterproof shoes and avoid open sandals and shoes as much as possible. Closed shoes are the best option since they will protect your feet from possible bacteria infestation and from the dirt milling around in street water. Also when heading out again, never wear damp shoes which are a veritable breeding ground for unsavoury germs and bacteria.
- Wash them as soon as you enter – Of course, it may be more than likely walking about and commuting in the rains you will be getting a little dirty and wet. Make sure as soon as you are back indoors you clean your feet thoroughly with an antiseptic soap or wash. Also wipe and rinse off your shoes if possible. Doing so will also help avoid tracking in germs in to the home. If you are heading out somewhere and not your own house, carry some antiseptic gel or wipes to clean your feet with after. Keep away fungus and other such infectants away from your feet.
- Avoid exposing any wound or infection – Heading out with any foot and skin wound or existing infection can lead to further problems. If you have a skin problems on your feet and are using psoriasis cream or any other such medicated care, make sure you cover the infected area entirely and keep it totally waterproof. Wounds, cuts and pre-existing skin conditions can worsen and get further infected during a wet climate and the added dirt doesn’t help matters at all.
- Indulge in some foot care – If there was ever a good reason needed for a pedicure this is it! Your feet anyway go through plenty of wear and tear on a daily basis and the monsoon weather makes it all the more difficult to keep them clean and pristine. If you can’t or don’t want to go to a parlour, follow a simple weekly clean up and mini pedicure routine at home. Soak your tired twosome in a tub of warm water with bath salts or a moisturising bath gel, give your feet a good cleaning with a foot or body scrub to get rid of dead skin cells and dry skin and a short massage that helps with pain and circulation. Cut and clean your nails (long, unkept nails collect a lot of germs and dirt) and don’t forget to end the pedicure with a heavy and good quality moisturiser. Wear a pair of cotton socks for a little while to lock the moisture in and soak in to your feet.
Time to start taking care of these often neglected body parts!
Bio –
Michelle Yang is a beauty writer and a regular contributor to a local women’s fashion magazine. She believes that whether it means applying your anit-fungal or psoriasis cream or getting a regular pedi, taking care of your feet is essential. She is currently working on her own beauty hand-book.
Category: Health
