Mindful Foot and Nail Health: An Overview on How to Care for Your Feet

A proactive approach to foot and nail health can prevent or minimize uncomfortable conditions such as fungal infections, plantar fasciitis and ingrown nails

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I used to think that wearing high-heeled shoes is the only way to live. My dressing was full of the latest creations from famous designers and I would gladly walk in any of them all day long, despite the pain they would cause me. After some time, I began to suffer from pain in my heel. I also noticed that my big toes started to modify their position. I quickly made the connection to my preference for uncomfortable shoes, understanding how important food and nail health really are.

Why the need for foot and nail care?

We do not think as foot and nail care as something of critical importance. However, as most of us end up discovering, when we fail to take care of this area, we end up suffering from a lot of unnecessary complications. Apart from hammer toes and heel pain, other common problems include bunions, athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and ingrown nails. All of them can affect our ability to walk and, thus, the overall quality of life.

Proper foot hygiene is essential in order to prevent infections (especially fungal ones). As women, we need to pay closer attention to the quality of footwear worn on a daily basis (high-heeled shoes are not comfortable and they cause significant damage to the foot). I also discover that the aging process has made me more susceptible to foot and nail problems, increasing the risk of joint damage and infections. Moreover, my nails, without proper care, have become dry and brittle.

What changes did I make?

First and foremost, I stopped ignoring my feet and began paying attention to the symptoms I was experiencing. I switched to lightweight footwear, choosing comfortable and well-ventilated shoes. The high heels remained in the closed and I was thankful for not having to deal with pain, stiffness and that awful, pulsating sensation appearing at the end of the day.

As I read that improper nail care can favor the appearance of fungal infections, I started to trim my nails straight across. I also employed a couple of preventative measures, washing my feet with soap and water and drying them thoroughly (I learned that moisture is a favoring factor of such infections). Recognizing the risk of athlete’s foot, I stopped walking barefoot while at the pool or in the public shower. I also began using sweat-absorbent socks, ensuring that my feet are dry all the time.

Heel pain & plantar fasciitis

Though it was not something I even thought about, my physician diagnosed me with plantar fasciitis. The inflammation of the plantar fascia led to an abnormal gait, accentuating my pronation and causing heel pain. I recovered from these problems with the help of physical therapy, orthotic inserts and topical treatments, such as medicated foot cream. My physical therapist also showed me a couple of stretches I could do at home, which turned out to be useful.

A final note

Foot and nail health should be a matter of concern for all of us, especially after a certain age. Left untreated, minor problems can lead to serious complications, preventing us from walking in a correct manner. Moreover, infections can cause a lot of discomfort, making us more susceptible to damage in the respective areas. The good news, however, is that being mindful and proactive about your foot and nail hygiene and health can help prevent or minimize the effects of these conditions.

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You may also enjoy reading Healing Your Feet: Emotional Causes of Plantar Fasciitis by Maureen Minnehan Jones