FOOT HYGIENE OFTEN LACKING

By now, you probably think you have your shower routine down pat. And even though you likely never forget to scrub your underarms or wash your hair, there may be other extremities that don't get as much attention. The truth is, much like the rest of your body, your feet are covered in more than just dirt at the end of a long day. "The feet are the closest proximity to the ground, which means they easily pick up dirt and bacteria when walking around," Emily Splichal, DPM, a New York-based podiatrist, told Well+Good.

 

Drs. Emily Splichal and Robert Lee

 

Robert K. Lee, DPM, chief of podiatric foot and ankle surgery at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, told Self that bacteria on your feet "feed on waste products that come out of your sweat glands, and they produce odor as they build up." Podiatrists also recommend making a few changes to your overall hygiene routine to take better care of your feet, like making sure to wear clean socks made of moisture-wicking synthetic fibers, rotating your shoes every other day to allow for proper drying out, and considering orthotics if you're experiencing lingering issues.

 

Source: Zachary Mack, MSN Lifestyle [10/12/20]

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News.