Why Runners Need to Take Good Care of Their Feet
As much as walking and running can benefit your health, it can have the opposite effect on the health of your feet. We all rely on our feet every day to carry us from place to place and to help us complete daily tasks, so it’s important that we look after them. If you ignore your feet and fail to take care of them, you may experience pain and even injury. This applies even more so if you are a runner! Here are some things you should pay attention to when it comes to foot care.
Finding the Right Shoe Size
Wearing the proper-sized shoes is really important if you plan to run in them (and in general). Shoes that are too big are prone to cause blistering due to friction, and shoes that are too small lead to discomfort and even black toenails or pinched nerves in extreme cases. Improper shoes lead to serious injuries, such as knee injuries or sprained ankles and others. Studies have shown that improper shoewear is one of the leading causes of injury among runners.
Keep Your Feet Moisturized
Our feet have thick, tough skin compared to the rest of our body. Without the proper care, it can become tough and cracked. This can lead to bleeding due to the dry skin cracking, and cause heel fissures, which make our feet prone to infection. This is bad news for those of us trying to make running a routine thing. Cracked heels will promptly put an end to that New Year’s resolution. As a runner, you should be applying thick creams or ointments to your feet, especially your heels, on a daily basis.
Ice Your Feet
Running or excessive walking can cause your feet to overheat and swell after every run. You can reduce the swelling by putting a cold compress on your feet, or dipping them in an ice bath. If you’re going to be going the ice bath route, be sure to submerge your feet for at least 15 minutes after an especially hard run. You can also raise your legs while using an ice pack on them if you can’t stand being too cold.
Prevent Foot Fungus
Athlete’s foot refers to a painful infection that is caused by having excess moisture on your feet for long amounts of time. The moisture fosters the perfect environment for bacteria and fungus to thrive off of. We have more sweat glands on the bottom of our feet than anywhere else in our body, even our armpits, surprisingly! Remember to switch out your socks regularly, and there are also antiperspirant products available for your feet.
Hopefully these tips will help you on your running journey. Whether you are a seasoned runner or just a beginner, you should never ignore the health of your feet. If you’re suffering from any of the above ailments and would like to see a certified professional contact Elite Foot Care in Edmonton today. We would be happy to help you with any of your foot care needs.