The soft rhythm of raindrops, lush greenery, and earthy aromas — monsoon is truly the most romantic season of the year. While the season is a rainbow of happiness for your heart, our feet are soaking up something else—rainwater, muck and bacteria.
In the past too, we have told you how to take care of your feet during this wet season. Today, I will tell you more about footsore and what steps to take to put the right foot forward during this season.
If you’ve ever peeled off wet socks only to discover itchy feet, painful foot cracks, or white, flaky skin, you’re not alone. Navigating through puddles and enduring constant humidity creates the perfect breeding ground for fungi, bacteria and a host of foot ailments.
A little extra care tendered to your feet during monsoon and rainy seasons can help prevent shoe bites and serious foot conditions
Keep your feet dry
Everyone knows about keeping feet dry, especially between the toes, but technique matters. After washing or exposure to rain, pat your feet dry thoroughly with a separate, clean towel. Pay special attention to your feet while bathing. After washing them well, dry them thoroughly and apply talcum powder.
Wash your feet with a liquid wash every time you come home from outside. As soon as you get indoors, remove wet shoes and socks. Never wear the same damp shoes two days in a row to avoid fungal infection.
Choose the right footwear
Selecting appropriate footwear is crucial to maintaining foot health during the monsoon. Avoid wearing heels in the monsoons as roads get wet and slippery. If unavoidable, wear footwear that is resistant and has as little heel as possible.
Switch your heels for simple footwear such as flip-flops, slippers, rubber boots, sandals, etc., as they allow maximum ventilation and help the perspiration evaporate. But open footwear also attracts dirt, and therefore, foot hygiene becomes all the more important.
Don’t forget to wear gum boots if you live in a region prone to heavy rainfall and floods. If you wear closed shoes, talcum powder can be sprinkled inside the shoes.
Choose the right socks and liners
If socks are a must, wear clean, breathable cotton ones to lock in moisture and protect from friction. Change socks regularly, especially if they become wet. Cotton or moisture-wicking socks are ideal.
Opt for high-performance socks crafted from bamboo, merino wool blends, or moisture-wicking fabrics. Odour-control liners with silver ions or activated charcoal. Quick-drying athletic socks for days with unavoidable moisture
In fact, during the hot and humid season, the feet should be exposed to the air as much as possible.
Toenails
Keeping your toenails short makes cleaning easier and reduces the risk of dirt and grime build-up under the nails.
Take extra care while trimming your toenails; cut them straight and file the corners to remove sharp edges.
Avoid cutting nails too short or rounding the corners, as this can lead to ingrown toenails, which are prone to infections. If you experience any skin damage during a nail trim, use an antiseptic and antibiotic cream for a few days.
Here are some home remedies for monsoon foot care:
Foot Soak: In one-fourth bucket of warm water, add half a cup of coarse salt and 10 drops of lemon or orange essential oil (if you cannot get essential oil, use half a cup of lemon or orange juice). If your feet tend to sweat a lot, use a few drops of tea tree oil, as it has germicidal properties. It helps to deal with bad odour. Soak the feet for 10 to 15 minutes.
Foot Lotion: Mix 3 tablespoons of rose water, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and one teaspoon of pure glycerin. Apply on feet and leave on for half an hour.
Foot Care for Dryness: In one-fourth bucket of cold water, put 2 tablespoons of honey, one tablespoon herbal shampoo, one tablespoon almond oil. Soak feet in it for 20 minutes.
Cooling foot bath: Add rose water, lemon juice and a splash of eau de cologne in cold water and soak feet in it. Cools, cleans and removes odour.
Cooling Massage Oil: Take 100 ml of olive oil and add 2 drops each of eucalyptus oil and rosemary oil and 3 drops of khus, or rose oil. Mix and keep in an airtight glass jar. Use a little of this for a foot massage. It cools and protects the skin and keeps it healthy.
Make a mix of three tablespoons of rose water with two tablespoons of lemon juice and one teaspoon of pure glycerine. Apply this daily after washing and drying the feet.
Turmeric: Paste of turmeric, which is well-known for its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, can be applied around the toes to get rid of fungal infections too.
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