Put the right foot forward this monsoon

Monsoon has set already foot in India and even though it is expected to be below normal this year as shared by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), one needs to take care of the body during this period, especially the feet. The feet are among the areas where germs accumulate and odour gets formed. The waste matter, secreted with sweat, has to be removed by daily washing, to eliminate odour and feel fresh and clean. Pay special attention to your feet while bathing. After washing them well, dry them thoroughly and apply talcum powder. If you wear closed shoes, talcum powder can be sprinkled inside the shoes. However, in hot season, slippers and open sandals are the best options as they allow maximum ventilation and help perspiration to evaporate. But open footwear attracts dirt and therefore, foot hygiene becomes more important. After a hot day, soak your feet in cold water to which some salt has been added.

A foot problem called Athlete’s Foot develops more easily during hot and humid weather because it thrives on soggy skin. If neglected, it can become a stubborn problem with an itchy condition. Athlete’s Foot starts as a fungus infection. So, if there is dry scaling on the feet, especially between the toes, with some itching, consult a dermatologist without delay.

Anti-fungal preparations are effective in dealing with the problem in the initial stages. However, excessive moisture, caused by excessive sweating, tight shoes and humid weather can lead to bacterial activity and this worsens the condition. Avoid socks and wear open shoes, use talcum powder and keep the feet as dry as possible. If socks are a must, wear cotton ones. In fact, during the hot and humid season, the feet should be exposed to the air as much as possible.

Have a salon pedicure once a week. It keeps the feet in good condition and is also most relaxing!

Here are some home remedies for monsoon foot care
Foot lotion: Mix together three tablespoons rose water, two tablespoons lemon juice and one teaspoon pure glycerin. Apply on feet and leave on for half-an-hour.
For dryness: In one-fourth bucket cold water, put two tablespoons honey, one tablespoon herbal shampoo and 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 olive oil and add two drops eucalyptus oil, two drops rosemary oil and three drops khus or rose oil. Mix together and keep in airtight glass jar. Use a little of this for foot massage. It cools and protects the skin and keeps it healthy.

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 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 10-15 minutes.