Foot care?

[Mad Murphy]

Not a fetish I promise you.

But what is your foot care regime? We as dog owners /walkers rely on our feet so what do you do to keep yours in tip top condition and what tips could you share with those of us in trouble?

At the moment I am suffering with Plantar fasciitis and a heel spur in my left foot , years ago it was my right foot. I wear good walking shoes that support my feet but I am ticking all the boxes for people likely to get it Im the right age ie; over 40, I carry some extra weight , I have flat feet (since I was 12) and I am on my feet a lot.
I do stretching exersizes and rolling exersizes with a ball and after a long walk I use ice packs to cool the foot I have taken NSAIDs to help the pain but they make me really sick and dizzy so I avoid if possible. The pain can be excruitiating but I love to walk, so we try to do the big walk in the mornings while the pain is not too bad and of course walking on natural ground is far more comfortable than concrete.

My other problem is really dry feet. It sounds like nothing to complain about for all the sufferers of sweaty feet but dry feet are just as bad as sweaty ones. My skin will dry and crack leaving me bleeding into my socks when its at its worst, despite regular work outs with files and other abrasive removers and lashings of moisterising creams.. Ive tried all sorts, from the cheapest vaseline to the expensive one at the foot clinic they all last just an hour or two before my feet and esp my heels are dry again.

I know I cant be the only one so come on share your tips on keeping your feet in the best condition to give you pain free walks.

 

[JoanneF]

Really good fitting shoes and boots are a must for me; in winter I have waterproof boots and on dry days in summer I have mesh running shoes - breathable, light and with good support.

Also I think good socks are really important.

 

[Caro Perry]

Proper foot support - I was forced into walking in wellies last winter and my feet have really suffered for it. I need a better solution for next winter.

For the dry skin have you tried slathering your feet in heavy duty cream, covering with socks and leaving on overnight?

 

[Mad Murphy]

@Caro Perry agree good boots are a must. I have tried the sock and cream treatment which only last a couple of hours. But regular treatments do reduce the risk of dry cracking.

 

[JudyN]

I simply can't walk in wellies or boots that don't hole my feet securely - well I can, but though my feet survive, it really upsets my back, neck and shoulders. I'm funny like that. And if my shoes don't fit perfectly, my feet can get blisters just from looking at them. So the priority is really well-fitting boots - which can take a lot of hunting down as my feet are also shaped like ducks' feet - wide toes but narrow heels, so most either pinch my toes or slip on my heels or both. My Scarpa Terras are the best shoes in the world, I love them.

My feet are also very dry-skinned but don't tend to crack - I found the best creams were the ones that contain urea but you've probably tried that.

 

[Mad Murphy]

My feet are also very dry-skinned but don't tend to crack - I found the best creams were the ones that contain urea but you've probably tried that.

yep, the cream Im using at the moment is really good from a German supermarket own brand with a high urea content and so reasonably priced I thought they had made an error!

 

[leashedForLife]

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These are 2 products I've used with very good results -

Moisturizing Lotion - Original (Large)

NSF is running a "Fathers' Day sale" with 10% off all orders. [Tomm is Fathers' Day, in the USA.]
This stuff is wonderful on my hardworking, much-washed, caregiver's hands. I put it on & rub it in, then wear cotton gloves in bed over the lotion, flipping the palm section of the glove over the fingers, inserting my fingers 1st, then gently folding the "hand" part over my hand, so as not to wipe off all the lotion.


https://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Feet-Hands-Remover-Exfoliant-3-Ounce/dp/B000052XW5/

That's a THREE PACK - 3 bottles, 3-oz each, so about $7-usa per bottle.

Do not use a file or rasp with Pretty Feet! - it rolls exfoliated skin off in tiny thin cigar shapes, there is absolutely no need to scrub or file! - use it on any calloused area where U do not want callous, or to remove excess callous, but remember that a certain amount of callous is needed for work, protection from friction, etc.
Don't get carried away; U don't want to have too-thin, tender skin. U can wait a few days, & apply it only where U want to remove dry, dead skin; rinse off the skin rolls with warm water from a spray head, or under a tap.
Pat dry rather than wipe or rub.
Heels, knees, & elbows are all fine to use Pretty Feet.

- terry

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[leashedForLife]

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Also BTW, I use my trusty laetrile [also called nitrile] disposable gloves to put the Pretty Feet lotion on, & gently rub it - that way, I do *not* strip much-needed callous from my fingertips & palms, as i remove dry skin from an elbow or heel.
Laetrile AKA nitrile is latex-free, thin, & durable in gloves, U can easily pick up a dime wearing them - they are sized, XS, Sm, Med, Lg, XL. [I wear XL, as I have large hands & long fingers.]


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