Spring Break and summer bathing suit season is rapidly approaching, which can cause a bit of a concern when it comes to your feet. The dry winter weather often leaves feet looking less than presentable, which may make you want to hide away during the season of sandals and flip flops. Others prefer to turn to costly treatments that may leave your wallet in a bind when Spring Break splurge time arrives. Worse yet, sometimes the winter weather can cause painful problems, which may require medical or over the counter treatments that add up. If you’re worried about your feet, there are a few ways you can inexpensively heal them before you go out flaunting your favorite sandals during the warm weather.
1. Change Your Diet
When it comes to your body, a lot of problems can be mended simply by changing the way you eat. It may seem like a miracle cure or a false promise, but choosing the right foods for your body can help you avoid foot problems while encouraging current problems to go away. Of course, eating healthy all year long is a must, but you may want to concentrate on certain foods in order to help your skin maintain its health. For instance, kale, broccoli, lemons, limes and wheat grass are some of the best foods you can consume if you plan on keeping your feet looking and feeling outstanding. If you’re not keen on these foods, then blend them into a nice smoothie to improve the taste while getting your fill of fruits and veggies in one single serving. If you’re having a problem with fungus of the nails or on the skin, then garlic will quickly become your best friend. This food naturally gets rid of these problems, which will make you feel better in no time. You may want to avoid spicy foods though, as they force the body to sweat, which can make a problem occur or spread.
2. DIY Foot Soak
Many people will spend an extraordinary amount when it comes to foot soaks. There’s a lot of companies that produce chemical based soaks designed to soften and deodorize with little effort on your end. There’s a better solution though and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. For instance, if you’re having trouble with fungus on your feet, or you simply want to get rid of some dead skin, then you may want to run some hot water and add salt and vinegar. A soak in this combination will help neutralize the foot while taking off the excess skin. Apple cider vinegar is another good option for fungal or bacterial infections and will soften the skin in no time. If you have Epsom salts around the house, then add these to a vinegar and water mix for a soak that will relax you while pampering your feet. A surprising soak to get rid of bacteria is tea. Simply run some hot water and add a few black tea bags and your feet should be on the mend soon. Finally, if you want to really get rid of the calluses and dry skin on your feet then add 1/3 cup vinegar, 1/3 cup Listerine and a teaspoon of salt into some hot water. After soaking for a few minutes you’ll be able to rub the rough skin away, revealing smooth sandal worthy feet.
3. Foot Powder
Keeping your feet sweat free can be one of the best ways to prevent problems, which is a bit hard to do when you wear thick socks and heavy shoes in the winter time. Foot powder is one of the best ways to help you master the art of dry and healthy feet though. However, these powders can really add up and some of them don’t help fight fungus or bacteria that may pop up during this time of the year. One of the best products to turn to in your time of need is baking powder. This is a fairly inexpensive item that most homes already have, which makes it accessible in an emergency. Simply add a little baking powder to your socks and you should stay dry all day. This can also help prevent bacteria from growing in your shoes, which will save you money in the shoe department too. If you’re having problems with fungus, which is common in the winter, then add a bit of garlic to your socks. You can use garlic powder or sliced fresh garlic. Although it might not feel comfortable, the garlic works to fight away the infection and prevents it from spreading.
4. Exfoliate
Exfoliating is one of the best ways to keep your skin as clean as can be and helps reduce the unsightly look of dried skin. However, foot exfoliates can really add up, which is why it might be best to take the DIY road if you can. Rather than simply buying a costly beauty product, it might be wise to take a walk down the food department instead. For instance, coconut salt can be one of the best exfoliates available. The healing properties of coconut have been renowned over the last few years. So, your special scrub won’t just get rid of the dead skin, but will also add nutrients to the fresh and healthy skin. Sugar is another great option, especially if you’re looking for a quick fix. Simply mix it with an oil, like coconut oil, and you’ll have an exfoliate that will outshine some of the expensive brands. Of course, one of the best things you can do is take a walk on the beach, if you live close by. This natural remedy has been used for generations.
5. Moisturize
If your skin isn’t too bad off, then applying a regular lotion after showering can help heal dry skin while also stopping it from returning. However, if you’re looking for a moisturizer that will heal deeply then you may want to avoid the beauty section altogether. You’ll end up throwing away money like it’s going out of style. Instead, take to the pantry. If you have Crisco or lard in your pantry, then you’re good to go. This will go deeply into the skin, which will help rejuvenate the area and heal all of the damage that winter caused. If you’d love a healthier food moisturizer then try out another oil, such as coconut oil. This amazing product will heal with its many nutrients and is very healthy for your body.
6. Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s Foot is a fungal infection that affects many people differently. In some it causes itchy skin that burns and flakes, while for others it can cause swelling, sores and other unsightly and uncomfortable problems. Usually, you don’t need a prescription to get rid of Athlete’s Foot, but you may need to buy something over the counter to get rid of the problem. This can add up, quite a bit especially if you end up buying creams which are often criticized for not helping the problem. Generally, the spray is the best option and tends to last longer, but there are natural ways to fix the problem. For starters, drop aspirin tablets into alcohol and then spread the mixture on the feet after a shower to dry out the area. Another option is soaking your feet in vinegar and salt. Adding garlic to your socks will help draw out the fungus too. The best thing you can do is keep your feet dry though. Also, avoiding heat in the area and sanitizing nail clippers can also do a world of good.
7. Healthy Nails
Toe nails that are dry, brittle or yellow can also be embarrassing during the sandal season. Keeping up with your nails can be tough though as many treatments are pricey. There’s a few natural ways to help heal your unsightly nails though. One of the best things you can do is buffer them daily. If you don’t want to spend money on a buffing set, then simply use your thumb! One great option to help your nails look great is a mixture of apple cider vinegar and baking soda. Transform this combination into a paste then let it rest on the nails. If you’re looking to heal your nails of fungus or bacteria then you can use coconut oil, which uses the healthy fatty acids to heal. Another great option is tea tree oil. If growing your nails is a problem then rub olive oil, orange juice or lemon juice to encourage health and growth.
8. Pedicures
When the weather begins to heat up, most people want to make their nails look fabulous which often means spending quite a bit of money on them, especially if you end up going to a high scale salon or spa. Rather than throwing away money on flawless nails, try to do them yourself. You can settle for a solid color for convenience or try your hand at doing patterns of appliques. If you’re not sure you want to tackle your nails by yourself then it might be fun to host a nail painting party. This will give everyone more options to choose from and will ensure you get a fabulous look you’ll be happy to show off. One thing to consider when painting your nails is using a separator, which will help make your nails look fabulous and flawless. There’s no need to splurge on expensive polish either. In fact, the best investment you can make is purchasing natural polishes, which are better for your nails.
9. Invest
A lot of food trouble has to do with being on your feet all day, or the way your feet fit into your shoes. If you’re having trouble here, it could end up getting worse which may cost you quite a bit of money in the long run. One thing you can do here is invest in the insoles that are designed to suit your particular problems. These insoles are designed based on your weight, your arches and other contributing factors, so you’ll get a comfortable fit that will make you feel like you’re walking on clouds. The insoles tend to last a while too, so you’ll get your money’s worth out of them before you have to replace them. Another great thing to invest in for the sake of your feet is a good pair of shoes. If you’re on your feet all day this may be a necessity. Exercise shoes are also a must. You should try to find something lightweight with plenty of ventilation and shock resistance to help you get through the workout without leaving your feet sweaty and in pain. Finally, a decent pair of socks are a must and should be bought to suit your work, exercise and relaxation needs.
10. Clip Your Nails
It may seem like common sense, but keeping your nails cut can help get rid of a lot of problems. For starters, it will stop bacteria from building up on your feet and under your nails. It will also help prevent painful ingrown toenails from occurring. This also helps you avoid odors that may become embarrassing when you switch to your summer footwear. Of course, the key here is to know how to cut your nails properly, in order to avoid major problems later on. Also, after clipping, make sure to keep your clippers and other nail supplies clean.
Taking care of your feet is essential, but spending a fortune on them isn’t. With these simple tips you should be able to be proud of your healthy feet without having to pay outrageous fees on them. Now, you can welcome summer without a second thought!
