Summer Foot Care and Recipes
By Brenda Hyde
Our feet need pampering. Yes, they really do, and summer
is an especially important time to take care of them! If you
are a diabetic this is crucial to your health routine.
First, cute shoes are not necessarily good shoes. Make
sure they fit, and for long walks avoid flip-flops or sandals
with anything between your toes. This can rub and cause
blisters and calluses. You want comfortable shoes or
sandals that don't rub or feel too snug. If you are diabetic
you really want to avoid sandals because it's a lot easier
to injure your feet, which will easily become infected.
Use a sunscreen of at least 15 SPF on your feet. Protect
them from the sun---they can burn too!
Trim your toenails straight across every 3-4 weeks. They
will trim easier after a shower or bath. Use a good cream
on your feet too. I've been using a mint cream that's been
helping. Eucerin makes a thick cream that works well at
night when they are extremely dry. Wear a pair of clean
cotton socks afterwards to really do the job. Don't put the
cream between your toes. This can cause a moisture
build up and fungus can develop in those areas.
Don't EVER use anything sharp to scrape rough feet. This
is an infection waiting to happen! Use foot soaks, lotions and
scrubs, but nothing sharp or metal. Pumice stones can help
to prevent calluses from building up are safe to use. Also,
don't wear nail polish on your toenails day in and day out.
Put it on for special occasions, but remove aftwards. Your
toenails need to breathe too!
Take special precautions in locker rooms, beach houses, camp
or gym shower areas. Wear shoes or sandals at all times. Take
a pair of cheap flip-flops to wear in the shower. This is where you
will pick up fungus and bacteria. Wash feet daily and examine
for signs of injury or infection. Use an anti-fungal or anti-bacterial
spray afterwards.
If your feet are stiff in the morning (like mine are!) try putting on
a hot water bottle or warm compress on the bottom of your
feet while you are eating your bowl of cereal. This stimulates
the blood flow and may help, plus you'll have nice warm feet.
Have at least two pairs of shoes that you can wear daily, and
switch each day. They need time to air out and get rid of the
moisture from being worn. Spray with a disinfectant such
as Lysol too. A frugal and natural thing you can do for your
feet is sprinkle baking soda in your shoes and on your feet.
Your feet and toes need to breathe! Again, avoid tight shoes
and socks.
In the evenings, prop your feet up while watching television
or reading. Give your feet a break! Try this recipe made
with essential oils for a special treat:
Before Bed Herbal Foot Soak
Ingredients:
5 drops each juniper berry, grapefruit and bitter orange essential oils
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup dead sea mineral salts
hot water
Stir the salts and oils into a tub or basin of hot
water and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes.
Dry feet and apply lotion. NOTES: You can also
skip the salts if you don't have them and add 5
drops of juniper, 3 rosemary and 2 drops lavender
essential oil to give your feet a treat!
Lastly, one more caution for diabetics. Call your doctor
at the first sign of redness, soreness or anything that
could possibly be an infection. Things can progress
VERY quickly and you don't want to take a chance.
Be gentle with your feet and take care of them!
About the Author
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer, editor, herb gardener
and mother to three children. For more herb recipes and
tips visit
The Garden Path
Resources
Essential Oils and Herbs
The Body Shop
Khepra Foot Balm
