WHETHER it’s a work do or a house party with friends, you’re probably looking forward to letting your hair down in the coming weeks. Whilst preparing to get funky on the dancefloor, please spare a thought for your feet!
Many of us are guilty of wearing shoes that don’t fit well, because we prefer to be stylish than comfortable! Party shoes are linked to pain and problems like bunions, corns , and ingrown toenails. Some women even resort to filler injections in their feet during the Christmas period to make their footwear less agonising!
Our Christmas party foot care tips will help you avoid foot woes without taking extreme measures . Before the party
Apply a good quality foot cream daily. This helps improve skin integrity. Dry skin can be exacerbated by cold weather. Better still, get someone to massage the foot cream in for you!
During the party
Wearing heels? Take a pair of flats in your bag just in case. This saves you having to go barefoot which leaves feet vulnerable to injury.
Stick to heels no more than a couple of inches high at most. If you have a forward lean in your lower back and are sticking your bum out, the heels are way too high!
Make sure shoes fit the width of your foot, this will make them much comfier.
Cushioned/gel pads can be purchased from your local pharmacy to make party shoes more forgiving.
After the party
Immerse your feet in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes. Add 1⁄2 cup of Epson salts and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Soaking feet can dry the skin, so apply a moisturising foot cream afterwards to replenish lost moisture. For an extra treat, apply a hydrating foot mask which can be purchased from most pharmacies. Leave this on for at least 20 minutes.
If you have cracked heels, corns or hard skin, see a podiatrist. You can’t beat a professional job! Ayres Health in Congleton also provide a ‘medical pedicure’ which combines a medical podiatry treatment with a pampering pedicure and is perfect for treating yourself or a loved one this festive season!
One last tip is please don’t forget to check on your older relative’s feet too. We often see elderly patients during the new year with long nails and neglected feet that have been hidden in shoes during the winter and family have not been aware of any problem.
Finally, we would like to say a big thankyou to our patients for supporting our business through these challenging times. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas
and New Year!
Anna & Andrew Ayres Ayres Health