How to keep your feet comfortable during lockdown

Apply Moisturiser Daily

Ideally use a foot cream that has 10% Urea in it. There are some really good foot creams available just check the ingredients label to see if they have urea in them. But if you don’t have any urea cream or can’t get your hands on some any moisturiser is better than none at all. So use up whatever body lotion, hand cream or even sun cream you have handy.

The absolute key to successful moisturising is “little and often”. It is much better to apply a little bit of cream every day than it is to slather on loads of cream twice a week. It doesn’t matter at which point in the day you apply it, do it when it suits you best. Some people like to put it on last thing at night before they go to bed, some prefer to put in on after a shower. I like to moisturise my feet in the morning just before I put my socks on. It is not important when you do it is just important to do it every day. This is a really good habit to get into. You will definitely notice a difference within a week or two.

Wear shoes at some point in the day

Being at home all day, every day during lock-down it is very tempting to wear slippers. Now I have to admit that I love my comfy slippers. I wear them when I get out of bed in the morning and when I am watching television in the evenings. But slippers give your feet very little support, wearing them for long periods of time can lead to foot pain and they may increase the risk of falls or injuries. It is important to wear a good fitting supportive shoe at some point in the day even if you are not going out anywhere. At the moment I tend to be wearing my trainers a lot. I love trainers I’ve got 3 or 4 pairs. They are a great choice as trainers have all the qualities of a good shoe.

Choose a shoe with an adjustable fastening either lace, buckle or Velcro with sufficient room in length and depth for your toes. During walking your toes spread out and lengthen so it is important to choose a shoe that is longer than your longest toe by about a thumbs width. It should cushion and support your heel and the back of your foot. The heel height should not exceed 2.5cm (1 inch). Make sure the shoe is in good condition don’t be tempted to wear old worn-down shoes. This is why I love my trainers they have all these qualities.

Take control of Corns and Callouses (hard skin)

If you have got patches of hard skin or even corns on your feet and you can’t get to your usual Podiatry appointment, they may be starting to cause you some discomfort or pain.

Treating corns and callous at home is best done after you feet have been submerged in warm water for about 10 minutes. Treatment can be carried out after a bath or shower or even a foot soak in a bowl.

Dry your feet thoroughly and then gently rub the corns or callous with an abrasive tool. Foot files, pumice stones and emery boards are ideal tool for this job. File the skin gently with the tool to gradually lift the dead skin. You will not get all the callous off in one treatment. Repeating this procedure once or twice a week will help to keep the corns and callouses under control until you can go to your Podiatrist for treatment. Moisturising daily and wearing well fitting comfortable shoes will also help with corns and callous.

Keep them moving

“The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art” Leonardo da Vinci. Our feet are complex structures and do an astonishing job. If they are not working it affects everything we do. It is important to keep them flexible strong and moving. Here are a few simple exercises you can do whilst you are sat in a chair watching TV or at your desk.

1. Lift your foot of the floor and draw the alphabet with your toes in the air.

2. Alternately point your toes and flex your ankles.

3. Place your feet flat on the floor and then press our toes into the ground and then pull them up off the ground.

4. Circle your ankles clockwise a few times and then anti clockwise a few times.

We hope you are keeping safe and well during this time. If you are worried about your feet in any way please give us a call we will be happy to hear from you and will do our best to help you.

Louise x