Your feet work hard. They take several thousand steps a day to get you from point A to point B — all while bearing the weight of your body. You stand on them a long time and put them into shoes that may not be the best fit. Unfortunately, these conditions can eventually cause a range of foot problems. So how can you take care of your feet and avoid chronic foot issues? This article will cover seven excellent foot care tips to keep your feet healthy.

Foot Care Tips To Keep Your Feet Healthy

It's important to know how to take care of your feet to keep them healthy for years to come. You can implement these seven tips to build a good foot care routine and avoid foot issues.

1. Avoid Wearing Tight Shoes

Shoe fit is very important to your foot health. 

Tight shoes restrict your blood flow, causing poor circulation that damages your feet in the long run. They may also cause foot pain that could become chronic. 

Over time, you may notice calluses, blisters, ingrown toenails, and corns on your feet. They may even deform your feet with conditions like hammertoes and bunions.

2. Wear Shoes With Arch Support

Once you've got comfortable shoes that fit, you need to make sure your arch is adequately supported. Your arch does it all — it supports your body weight, propels you forward when you move, and absorbs shock anytime your foot hits the ground. Over time, your arch can become strained or weakened from the stress.

Arch supports keep your arch in good condition because they:

• Distribute pressure evenly
• Support the lower body
• Help with alignment
• Prevent arch trauma
• Provide balance and stability
• Prevent and lessen foot pain

So really, everyone can benefit from arch supports. Look for shoe brands that are known for providing good arch support. You may benefit from a custom shoe insert if you have shoes that fit well but don't provide enough arch support.

Also, try to avoid wearing flats and flip-flops every day. Although they are comfortable, they don't support your arch enough and may lead to a foot injury down the line.

3. Keep Your Feet Clean and Mostly Dry

Feet often sweat throughout the day, providing a perfect breeding ground for harmful fungi. So pay special attention to your feet when you shower or bathe. Good foot hygiene goes a long way toward eliminating foot odor. 

Be careful! You don't want to soak your feet in hot water or leave them in the water for too long. This may cause dry skin, which leads to skin irritation and flaking. 

After you clean your feet thoroughly, be sure to dry them. Don't be shy — get in between your toes to prevent fungal infections like athlete's foot.

4. Inspect Regularly for Foot Ailments

Practicing a good foot care routine allows you to catch any potential issues before they arise. Inspect your feet for any changes daily, and look out for any sores, cuts, swelling, or infected toenails.

Use antiseptic and healing creams if you notice any cuts, and go to the podiatrist immediately if you have unexpected swelling or infected toenails. 

After all, prevention is always the best cure.

5. Use Nail Clippers Correctly

We may tend to use nail clippers to clip and shape our toenails. But this can cause damage to the tender skin of your nail bed. 

It's important to use nail clippers correctly. Make sure they're stainless steel, so the blades stay sharp for longer. A dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp one. 

Use the nail clippers only to trim the toenail straight across. You then want to use a nail file or emery board to gently smooth and round the corners. 

You can also use the nail file or emery board to push your cuticles back. However, you want to avoid cutting them, so they don't split or bleed.

6. Use Moisturizing Cream at Night

Chronic dry skin can cause skin irritation and flakiness. To avoid this, use moisturizing cream every night right after you dry your feet off. 

You can use creams, lotions, or even petroleum jelly. These are all nourishing emollients that sink into the skin and create a barrier to protect it. Your feet will be noticeably softer and well-hydrated. 

You can even give your feet a gentle massage as you apply your moisturizer, which can help stretch the tendons and contribute to your foot's muscular health. 

Afterward, you can put on socks or wrap your feet in plastic wrap for at least an hour for better lotion absorption, especially if you have dry skin.

But don't put any moisturizer between your toes to prevent a fungal or bacterial infection. Remember, you want to keep that area dry.

7. Don't Perform DIY Surgery on Ingrown Nails

We all know that ingrown toenails are annoying and even downright painful, and it's tempting to do a little DIY surgery to get rid of them. However, this is dangerous. 

Many people dig out ingrown nails with nail clippers or use floss to "splint" the toenail. These home remedies create a wide opening for harmful bacteria to get into the skin and develop into a nasty infection.

Go see your podiatrist instead. They are experts in all things feet and will safely get rid of your ingrown toenail in sanitary conditions. They can also prevent ingrown nails from regrowing and causing issues in the future.

Schedule Periodic Foot Exams and Invest in Advanced Foot Products

It's important to practice proper foot care. This includes wearing comfortable shoes, practicing good foot hygiene, and using the proper tools and creams.

You also want to visit your podiatrist for periodic foot exams to prevent the development of foot problems. They can also improve your foot health by performing procedures like ingrown toenail removal. These steps will ensure that your feet stay healthy and happy for many years.

Make sure you use products made for your feet. Here at The Toe Bro, we know how important it is for you to take care of your feet. That's why we provide high-quality advanced foot products to tackle and prevent a host of foot problems afflicting people today. Feel free to visit our website and add products to your routine today. You won't regret investing in your foot health.

You may have heard of ingrown toenails and how annoying and painful they can be. They can eventually cause serious issues for your feet, so it's important to know how to prevent ingrown toenails.

But what causes ingrown toenails, and how can you fix them if you've already got them? We'll answer these questions in this article.

How To Prevent Ingrown Toenails: 3 Tips

Ingrown toenails occur when the corner or side of your nails grow into your toes' soft nail beds. They may also form when the skin on the side of your nails grows over the nail edges. They can cause swelling, tenderness and pain, and even severe infection.

This common condition can occur to anyone who doesn't care for their feet properly. However, teenagers and people with diabetes or other medical conditions that cause poor blood circulation in the feet are more likely to have ingrown nails. 

Thankfully, you can prevent ingrown toenails. One of the best ways to avoid ingrown toenails is to practice proper foot care. There are three main ways you can take care of your feet.

1. Inspect Your Foot Regularly

Prevention is the best cure, so make sure you inspect your feet regularly to prevent any potential issues before they arise. You may be able to spot a nail curving improperly and trim it before it grows into your skin.

2. Keep the Feet Clean and Dry

Feet sweat throughout the day, creating perfect conditions for harmful fungi to multiply. This can also soften your nail bed, making it easier for your toenails to sink into the skin. 

Pay special attention to your feet when you take a bath or shower. Clean in between the toes and around the toenails thoroughly with warm soapy water. Dry your feet completely once you're done, and don't forget the same places you washed.

3. Visit Your Foot Doctor Regularly

Your feet are just as important as the rest of your body, so make sure you visit your podiatrist for regular checkups. 

They will be able to catch any issues in the early stages and remedy them. They'll also show you additional ways to care for your feet to avoid common foot conditions.

But how can you prevent ingrown toenails specifically?

Steps To Prevent Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are often caused by excessive pressure, improper nail trimming, and genetics. Thankfully, there are specific steps you can take to avoid these three conditions and ingrown nails by extension.

Avoid Tight-Fitting Shoes

Your shoe fit directly impacts your foot health and the chance of growing ingrown toenails. 

Tight shoes cause ingrown nails by exerting excessive pressure on your toes. They will force the nails into the skin of your nail bed or make them curve in on themselves. 

So make sure you've got comfortable shoes that fit properly. You should be able to fit a finger between the top of your toes and your shoe.

You may also choose open-toed shoes often to eliminate the risk of pinching or pressure. However, you should wear protective shoes like steel-toed sneakers or boots if you're doing activities that may cause trauma to your toe.

Stop Improper Nail Trimming

Many people use toenail clippers to trim and shape their toenails into a curved shape, but this actually damages the toes. You may think that curved toenails look attractive, but they increase your risk of getting an ingrown toenail. 

Instead of curving the toenails to match your toe shape, you should trim them straight across. You can use a nail file or emery board to round the corners gently.

You should also trim your nails to the proper length, just to the tip of the toe. Toenails that are too long will begin to curl in on themselves and dig into your skin, and pressure from your shoes may cause too-short toenails to grow into your nail tissue.

Understand Your Genetic Predisposition

You may be surprised to learn that the tendency for ingrown toenails can be inherited. How so?

Well, your toe and nail shape are passed down genetically. You may also inherit conditions that affect the toe shape or foot circulation, such as arthritis and diabetes.

Ingrown toenails may occur due to these genetic factors. So while ingrown nails themselves are not genetic, these genetic factors can make you more susceptible if someone in your family line suffers from ingrown toenails. 

When you know that you're genetically predisposed to ingrown nails, you can take active steps to prevent them before they even form.

Ingrown Toenail Treatment

It's important to know how to fix an ingrown toenail, so you don't risk excessive pain and infection. There are two simple ways you can treat ingrown nails.

Soak in Warm Water

Soak the affected foot in warm water several times a day. This will keep the nail and skin around it soft and hydrated, preventing the nail from digging into the skin too firmly.

If this doesn't work after a few days, you'll need to see a foot doctor to treat your ingrown nail.

See a Foot Specialist

Don't try DIY surgery on your ingrown toenail. Go see your foot specialist, also known as a podiatrist. They will know how to treat the ingrown toenail.

They may prescribe an antibiotic cream if they detect any signs of infection. They'll also give you pain relievers if your symptoms are severe.

They may suggest surgical removal of part or all of the infected ingrown toenail. There's no need to worry — the procedure is straightforward, and you'll be numbed for the entire process.

Avoid Painful Ingrown Toenails by Maintaining Your Foot Health

Ingrown toenails can be painful and cause a host of foot problems. Thankfully, you can avoid ingrown nails by avoiding tight-fitting shoes, trimming your nails properly, and understanding your genetic predisposition. If you've already got an ingrown toenail, you can soak it in warm water or visit your foot specialist for professional treatment.

Maintaining foot health keeps your toes and feet looking and feeling their best. One of the ways you can maintain foot health is to use tools and products specially designed for the foot. 

The Toe Bro offers a wide range of high-quality, specialized foot products to prevent and treat common foot conditions. Take a look at our collection to begin your journey to happy, healthy feet today!

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People often end up choosing stylish or unique shoes over comfortable ones. Many purchase shoes without even knowing their correct shoe size. Research suggests that only 28% to 37% of people wear the right shoe size, and three out of five people wear the wrong size. 

You end up squeezing your foot into a smaller-sized shoe just because it looks good or is convenient to buy. But tight-fitting shoes lead to symptoms like foot pain, shoe bites, or blisters. 

No matter how good they look, ill-fitting shoes can result in foot problems. They increase your risk of developing painful foot deformities and disorders, which may require treatment or surgery.

Here’s everything you need to know about the effects of wearing tight shoes and how to protect your feet by choosing comfortable, breathable shoes.

5 Consequences of Tight-Fitting Shoes

Tight-fitting shoes can lead to the following foot problems:

Peripheral Neuropathy

Tight, uncomfortable shoes put extra pressure on your foot nerves, which can cause peripheral neuropathy. It is a painful condition resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves in your feet. Its symptoms include pain and weakness in the feet. You may also feel numbness or pins-and-needles sensations. If you have peripheral neuropathy and continue to wear tight shoes, symptoms may worsen.

In older adults, peripheral neuropathy is associated with diabetes, known as diabetic neuropathy. People with diabetes are prone to nerve damage in the foot. The damage can result in loss of sensation, where people can’t feel irritation, scratches, or cuts. In such cases, wearing tight shoes can lead to other foot issues like sores or blisters. Open sores can cause severe infection if left untreated and may lead to amputation.

If you have diabetes and wear poorly fitting shoes, your symptoms may worsen. Check your feet regularly for pain, blisters, sores, scratches, or cuts.

Development of Foot Corns

Wearing the wrong shoes can put extra pressure on the skin of your foot. Due to continuous friction between the shoe and the skin, the skin forms hardened layers to protect itself. The hardened skin is called a callus. A thick, small, and deep callus on your toes or feet is called foot corn. 

They appear as dry, hard, raised bumps of skin. The presence of corns may make the surrounding area painful and tender. They are treated by applying a foam pad over them to relieve pressure. Wear well-fitting, breathable shoes to prevent them.

Painful Blisters

An ill-fitting shoe constantly rubs against the skin on your toes, heels, or soles and causes friction. Fluid starts to build up under the upper layer of skin to protect the chafed area, forming a blister. Blisters vary in size from person to person and can be painful. 

They can also develop on your feet due to pressure. If you walk or stand for long hours a day, you are more likely to get painful blisters on your feet. To treat them, clean and cover them loosely with a bandage. Also, use padding when wearing your shoes. Avoid bursting or popping them because it can cause infection.

Foot Disorders or Lesser Toe Deformity

Studies show a link between tight shoes and foot problems like lesser toe deformity. Lesser toe deformity is a painful condition that affects your toe joints and results in a deformity or a structural change in your toes. Several things can cause it, but one of the main issues is wearing tight shoes for a long time.

The most common types of lesser toe deformity are:

• Hammertoe: A bend in the middle joint of the toe, causing the toe to curl up
• Mallet toe: A bend in the first joint nearest to your toenail ‍
• Claw toe: Bends in the middle and last joints in the toe, forcing the toe’s tip to press downward ‍
• Curly or crossover toe: A toe curls toward or over another toe

Tight or narrow shoes that don’t contour the shape of your foot can worsen existing foot disorders. They can add pressure to the irregular-shaped bones of your foot and cause more pain.

Some foot deformities can be treated using strapping techniques and applying hammer-toe pads. You can also wear wider shoes and toe splints and apply ice to the toe. If these methods don’t work, you may have to undergo surgery.

Ingrown Toenails

Tight shoes with a narrow toe box leave no room for your toes and put pressure on them. They can cause the edge of your toenail to grow into your skin, forming ingrown nails. 

Ingrown toenails can occur on all toes but are commonly seen on the big toe. They can cause redness and infection in the skin around the nail. You can prevent them by wearing wider, breathable shoes with enough space for your toes and not cutting your nails too short.

How To Find the Right Shoe Fit

Here are eight tips for finding the right shoe fit for you:

1. Wrong shoes can lead to painful foot deformities. Avoid buying shoes that don’t fit. 

2. Ask the salesperson to measure the length and width of your feet before buying shoes.

3. When you try on a shoe, make sure there’s enough space for your toes. They shouldn’t feel cramped, pinched, or pushed over each other. 

4. Check the shape and depth of the toe box. If you have foot problems, opt for a deep toe box. Also, a square or round toe box is better than a narrow, pointed, or curved one.

5. Shoes with removable insoles are better. You can add orthotic or cushioned insoles if required.

6. Shoes without an attached tongue have a better fit and allow the addition of extra insoles.

7. Don’t rush through shoe shopping. Try different types of shoes to see what fits best and ask about the return policy before purchasing.

8. If you have foot problems, visit specialty shoe stores for orthotics and orthopedic shoes.

Prioritize Your Foot Health With Flexible Shoes and Custom Orthotics

Proper fitting shoes are important to keeping your feet healthy and avoiding the ill effects of wearing tight shoes. So, take your time to buy shoes that fit properly because comfort is more important than style. To help with existing foot problems and prevent new ones, you can add orthotics, including insoles or foot pads, to your shoes. 

If you’re looking for orthotics to make your shoes more comfortable, The Toe Bro is here to help. We offer customized orthotics to match your style and comfort and keep foot problems at bay. With athletic, casual, and dress-style orthotics, we take care of your foot health needs.