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Monsoon brings with it moisture, sweat and stickiness due to humidity and this increases manifold the chances of fungus. So you need to take special care of your feet in monsoon to guard against fungal infections and conditions such as Athletes feet.
1. Exfoliation is important - Use a foot scrubber or pumice stone to remove the dead skin from your feet regularly. The dead skin cells tend to harden the feet and lead to cracks. This will keep your feet clean and devoid of dead skin.
2. Keep your feet moisturised - Always use a moisturizer on your feet after washing it thoroughly. Olive oil or almond oil may also be as effective as a moisturiser. Almond oil is a natural foot lotion which should be applied evenly all over the feet before going to bed.
3. Purchase a foot mask - Just like hair and face masks do wonders for you, foot masks can also soothe your skin and give it a subtle and soft touch. The right foot mask will not only exfoliate skin but will also provide deep penetrating moisture.
4. Say aloha to aroma - Undiluted essential oils have truly impressive healing abilities. Our feet are designed to take their fair share of neglect; the skin on this area of our bodies is much less sensitive yet extremely tired and parched. Essential oils provide that moisture and healing to parched skin. One can fill a clean basin with warm water and pour a few drops of mint/ lavender or rosemary oil to keep the feet relaxed for 15 minutes and let the oil get absorbed for relaxation.
5. Foot therapy is a good idea - There are plenty of foot soaks, scrubs and healing creams that are available and these work great to restore the smoothness of your feet. A foot soak is one that is added to warm water after which salt beads and fresh aqua scent help to relax and cleanse them. Foot scrubs contain healing oils such as that of jojoba and sunflower along with vitamin E. They replenish the moisture lost and also make your footpad supple.
6. Dry your footwear in the sun - Wet shoes, sandals or any other form of footwear should not be kept in the shade for drying. Keeping them under the bed or in the shoe rack would allow bacteria to breed on them, especially if they are wet. Remember that fungus and bacteria are attracted to dark and moist places.
Tip: You must keep in mind to wash your shoes when the day is bright as this will help you to not only kill the bacteria that are already building up in the shoes but also prevent their further breeding.
(With IANS Inputs)
