BEST FOOT FORWARD

IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL WELLBEING BY TAKING CARE OF YOUR FEET

Whether you’re walking, running, jumping or even kicking, it’s likely you use your feet quite a bit.

Despite this, research from the Australian Podiatry Association found that one in five Australians don’t prioritise their foot health.

While reasons for this range from affordability to not wanting to get our toes out in front of a stranger, Scholl global medical affairs manager and podiatrist Dr Jo Mccardle says looking after your feet is a must.

“Foot health is directly linked to our overall health and wellbeing. It is so important because if we can keep our feet in good condition and pain free, we are able to continue to do the things we love throughout all stages of life,” says Dr Mccardle.

“Feet are often undervalued as we underestimate how much we need and use them; the average person does between 8000 and 10,000 steps per day, which is the equivalent of walking around the Earth four times in their lifetime.”

As our feet play a big part in our day-to-day life – they are essential to keeping us moving, after all! – Dr Mccardle says we need to look after them properly.

THE MIRROR OF HEALTH

Dr Mccardle explains our feet can often reveal information about our health and wellness.

“They can be the first place to show signs of other health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and vascular problems,” she explains.

“So, it is always a good idea to get into the habit of checking our feet regularly and seek a review from a podiatrist if you have any concerns.”

This aside, feet can also have their own health problems, most of them stemming from dry feet.

“Dry feet are not nice to look at, feel rough and they don’t provide a good barrier to protect it from other common foot problems such as blisters, bunions, and spurs,” Dr Mccardle says.

FAVOUR FOOTCARE

Luckily, we can repair many of our foot foes (including dry skin, ingrown toenails and athlete’s foot) with regular care, exfoliation and moisturisation.

“Use warm, soapy water and take care to dry them really well, especially between your toes – this will help to prevent fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot,” Dr Mccardle explains.

“Trim your toenails using proper nail clippers, and cut them straight across, not too short and not down at the corners, as this can lead to ingrown toenails.”

Such care will not only have your feet fighting fit, but Dr Mccardle says it will also keep your feet smelling fresh.

THE POWER OF GOOD SHOES

While we all know how a pair of pretty, new shoes make us feel, what happens when we prioritise how the shoes look over their fit?

Dr Mccardle says illfitting footwear can impact our posture, and joint and bone health.

“Shoes that don’t fit properly can also be the main cause of lower limb pain,” she says.

“They can cause you to walk differently as a result and therefore problems in the back, the hip, the knee, and the foot long-term.”

To avoid this, Dr Mccardle advises ditching any shoes that pinch or hurt, and when purchasing, getting your feet fitted for the correct shoe size.

“You will find your feet get bigger as the day goes on and they swell in the hot weather,” she says.

“Always try to buy shoes in the afternoon, when they will be at their largest, and always try on shoes for a good fit.”

How’s that for a step in the right direction?