Foot Care

Women are almost four times as likely as men to suffer foot problems, mostly through lack of care and ill-fitting shoes. Your feet are as precious as your teeth. Devote the same amount of time to keeping them as clean and fresh and with a little help from natural remedies you can keep most foot problems at bay.

Prevent foot odor

There are more sweat glands on the feet than on any other part of the body, so sweaty/smelly feet are bound to be a common problem, especially in hot weather.

Scrupulous hygiene is essential in preventing foot odor. Wash your feet morning and evening in warm (not hot) water, using a natural antibacterial soap such as tea tree. Rinse your feet in cold water and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. Finally, sprinkle with a talcum powder containing lavender, lemon and/or tea tree oil.

Aim to wear shoes and socks made from natural fibers, where possible and in warm weather wear sandals rather than shoes. Change your socks or tights every day and never wear the same pair of shoes two days running as shoes take longer than 24 hours to dry out.

Scented foot massage

An aromatic massage oil containing peppermint and cypress oils can help to reduce perspiration. Add 8 drops cypress oil and 2 drops peppermint oil to 25ml sweet almond oil and massage into your feet night and morning.

Athlete’s foot

Sweaty feet can cause this painful, itchy, contagious fungal infection that is difficult to clear. Keeping your feet clean and dry is essential. You should also avoid sharing towels or shoes as this can spread the infection. In addition:

bathe your feet at night in a bowl of warm water to which you have added five to six drops tea tree, tagetes, lavender, peppermint or patchouli essential oil. You could also use a ready mixed herbal footbath containing herbs such as rosemary, mustard seed, myrrh, peppermint or ginger
apply calendula ointment, or vitamin E oil on to the clean, dry skin between the toes.

Alternatively, use a natural talc containing lavender and/or peppermint. You can also dab on neat tea tree essential oil every night before you go to bed to clear infection or prevent re-infection
taking high strength garlic capsules according to directions can also help to beat the infection.
Corns, calluses and hard skin

Corns, calluses and hard skin

Walking and standing puts pressure on the heel and the ball of the foot. Pressure in these areas can sometimes become so great that growths such as corns and calluses appear. Corns tend to form over areas, such as a joint, while calluses are patches of thickened skin that can occur in any area of pressure.

You can remove some of the thickened skin of corns and calluses by rubbing gently with a pumice stone while in the bath. Do this regularly, and afterwards apply a soothing moisturizing cream. Choose either a specially prepared foot lotion or balm containing essential oils such as lemon, lavender, tea tree or peppermint. Alternatively, apply vitamin E cream, or a tea tree and lavender massage oil to soften and soothe the skin. For cracks in the heels apply calendula cream or lotion.

Verrucae

Verrucae, also known as plantar warts, grow inwards usually on the soles of the feet. Although they often disappear on their own after about 12 months, they are infectious and can be painful. Certain natural remedies can help them go.

Homeopathic treatment Select the most suitable remedy from the list below. Take one dose in the 6c potency four times a day until the wart disappears.

* Thuja is often the first choice for verrucae, especially in people who have brittle nails or ingrowing toenails
* Silicea is for warty growths that occur in groups, especially in people who have sweaty feet.

Cautions:

* If warts change size or color or become itchy or bleed, see a doctor
* If you are diabetic, on medication, have poor circulation or your foot problems do not respond to home treatment always consult a state registered chiropodist.