Foot care
1) Never walk barefoot; always wear shoes or slippers.
2) Wash feet daily in soft, soapy water.
a. Always check the temperature of the water with your hand or elbow before putting your feet in the water.
b. Dry your feet by wiping them lightly after washing; do not rub them hard.
c. Dry with a thick layer of towel only, especially in the area between the toes.
d. Use skin moistening solution to prevent dry skin; but do not use it between the toes.
3) Observe the feet daily for puncture wounds, abrasions, local pressure and redness, blisters, etc.:.
a, puncture wounds DD have not stepped on nails, broken glass or large head pins?
b. Abrasions DD feel swollen.
c, local pressure and redness DD check the 6 main pressure locations on the bottom of the foot: the
a) top of the toe.
b) base of the little toe.
c) the base of the middle toe.
d) heel of the foot.
e) the lateral edge of the foot.
f) plantar metatarsal head area of the foot.
d) Blister DD examines the 6 major pressure locations on the bottom of the foot and the tips of the toes and the back of the heel for blisters, which should never be picked through.
4) promptly seek medical attention for any injury or open wound to the foot.
5) do not use Lysol disinfectant, iodine, methylphenol, carbonic acid, alcohol or other harsh antibacterial solutions when treating cuts or abrasions on the foot
6) Do not use sharp instruments, medications sold in pharmacies, or corns on the feet. Always seek medical advice when needed.
7) Protect your feet by.
a. Wear loose fitting, warm socks when sleeping.
b. Wear warm shoes and socks in cold weather to avoid frostbite.
c. Do not use electric blankets for heating on your feet.
d. Do not put your feet on top of radiators, stoves, stove guards or hot water pipes.
e. Do not put your feet in front of a fireplace or heater.
f. Do not use a hair dryer on both feet.
8) if the skin between the toes appears to be macerated, or if the toes lap each other, stuff a thin layer of cotton or wool between the toes.
9) do not cross your legs when sitting, crossing your legs can affect the blood circulation of both feet.
10) Take care of your toenails in the following ways.
a. Soak or wash your feet before trimming your toenails.
b. Ensure trimming is done under good lighting.
c. Trim toenails in neat horizontal rows.
d. Do not trim too deeply and do not trim too many edges.
e. If the toenail is very thick, seek medical help and trim it with a toenail clipper or toenail file.
f. Consult your doctor when there are any signs of ingrown toenails. Do not use medications sold in pharmacies to treat ingrown toenails, but you can put some cotton or apply waxed teeth under the toenail.
Short socks vs. long socks
1) Wear clean, dry socks every day. Make sure there are no small holes or creases in short or long socks.
2) Wear thin-layered, white cotton socks in the summer, which are easier for water to absorb and penetrate. Replace socks when feet are sweating more.
3) wearing square-ended socks so that they do not squeeze the toes
4) Wear women’s pantyhose or long socks with garters. It is important not to wear the following items.
a. short or long socks with elastic garters, or knee-high stockings.
b. Loop elastic garters.
c. Loop straps that tighten the top of the stocking.
d. Stockings that are rolled up or knotted at the top.
Wearing shoes
1) Always wear well-fitting shoes. Check each of the following daily to ensure that the feet are not damaged.
a. The width of the shoe DDetermine that the shoe is wide enough and deep enough to give the toe joints room to breathe. Shoes that are too tight can cause pressure damage and blister formation on the inside and outside of the bottom of the toes.
b. Length of the shoe DD shoes that are too short will cause pressure damage and blister formation on the top of the toes.
c. Heel DD Make sure there are no nails at the heel. The presence of small holes would suggest that nails have been impaled here.
d, the back of the shoe DD heel slack can cause blisters to form at the heel.
e. Sole DD make sure the sole is not broken. A worn out sole can allow nails or other sharp objects to pierce the skin.
2) Always pay attention to the type of new shoes when selecting them. Follow the following requirements when selecting shoes.
a. Feet will swell slightly at night, so shoes should be bought at night.
b. Watch for redness, abrasion or blisters on the feet during the first few days.
c. Wear the new shoes for no more than half a day during the first few days.
d. It is recommended to purchase shoes with the following characteristics.
a) shoes with laces, or adjustable elasticity.
b) soft leather uppers (breathable and conforming to the shape of the foot)
c) a deep-grained rubber sole (provides good shock absorption when walking).
e. Avoid buying shoes with the following characteristics.
a) elastic straps across the upper.
b) pointed toe shoes (squeezes the toes).
c) high heels.
d) shoes made of plastic (moisture buildup, not breathable).
3) The correct way to put on shoes.
a. Before putting on shoes, observe the inside of each shoe and make sure to take out any small stones or hard objects. Ensure that the inner surface of the shoe is smooth.
b. Loosen the laces before putting on or taking off the shoes. Ensure that the tongue of the shoe is flat and free of wrinkles.
c. Make sure the laces are not tied too loose or too tight.