It might not be thong or sandal weather, but when the time comes you don’t want it to be ‘socks and sandal’ weather. Several podiatrists got together to provide advice on common issues affecting your feel.
Athlete’s foot
A fungus called tinea pedis that thrives in warm, damp places and causes your feet to become dry, cracked and peeling. It can be pretty itchy and in serious cases you might get blisters filled with clear fluid.
The quickest way to rid yourself of the fungus is to get an over-the-counter anti-fungal treatment. But if you want a natural remedy try soaking your feet in this one: 2 tablespoons of Himalayan Crystal salt, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and warm water.
Bunion
Commonly a large bony bump that forms on the outside of your big toe joint. Often caused by genetics, shoes that are too tight and shoes that are too small.
Toe spacers between your big toe and your second toe will help fight the position of your big toe, but if you experience any pain you might require a surgical option. Best speak with your doctor for that. A natural remedy for bunions involves rubbing warmed olive oil into the bunion, the toes and the lower foot for 15 minutes at least twice a day, which will increase circulation and blood flow to the foot and toes encouraging fluid to move around the bones again.
Plantar warts
These are often hard, grainy growths on the bottom of your feet that might have black dots in them. Often caused by a strain of human papilloma virus (HPV) that seeps into your skin from showers, wet floors and outdoors.
To fix this issue, soak your foot to soften the wart and then apply a wart treatment that contains salicylic acid to the lesion. A natural remedy for plantar warts is duct tape. Simply soak the wart in warm water and then exfoliate the wart-affected area, then cover it with duct tape for about 6 days. Repeat the soaking process every time you remove the tape. It might take a few months to get rid of the wart completely, but it does go.
Gout
Gout happens when your body can’t process uric acid — that’s the waste product created when your body breaks down natural substances called purines. Both diet and genetics can play a role. It creates a hot, red, swollen big toe or ankle joint.
The fix? Well too many attacks in the same area can have a degenerative effect on your cartilage, so be sure to see your doctor. Otherwise, try mixing 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in about 250mL of water and drink it in one sitting. You might need to do it a couple of times throughout the day, the maximum amount being 3-4 teaspoons of baking soda.
Ingrown toenails
If the edges of your toenails — especially your big toes — becomes painful, swollen and tender you could have an ingrown. It’s when a piece of nail grows into the skin folds and irritates the tissue. It happens if you don’t trim your nails often enough or if you don’t trim the properly.
By soaking your feet in warm water with Epsom salts (about 20 minutes) you can relieve the pain and help soften the nail plate and the skin folds. This makes it easier to draw the toenail out from the skin.
Toenail fungus
Fungus infiltrates the skin under your nail and creates thick, yellow and brittle nails that might be loose.
Topical medications don’t often penetrate through the nail. A natural remedy for toenail fungus uses 4-5 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, and warm water. Soak your feet for about 15 minutes, then pat your feet completely dry.