When you have to spend more time at home
- Keep the skin around the back of your heels soft and comfortable by applying a rich cream twice a day- I like Vitamin E cream for over the counter.
- Keep your nails cut to a reasonable length- eventually you’ll get to put shoes back on and resume usual lifestyle.
- If you have hardwood or tile flooring and have developed heel pain, consider thicker-soled slippers around the house.
- If you have diabetes, always wear thick soled, protective shoes or slippers to avoid anything penetrating your feet. Remember you may not feel it happen.
- If you live with or are caring for an elderly family member, check to make sure their nails aren’t getting too long and painful-they may not tell you that they are suffering.
- If you have a particularly high or low arch and are developing a new pain across the top of your foot (halfway between toes and ankle) or a new pain in the arch (halfway between toes and heel) consider spending more time wearing your good firm gym shoes.
- If you have recently changed your work out/fitness routine and are performing more jumps/lunges/ deadlifts/ step-work and your feet are getting sore, start strengthening the muscles in your feet by “drawing out” the alphabet, A-Z, three times daily. Move your foot, not your leg while “drawing” these letters in the air. Another good exercise to strengthen your feet is to place a towel on the floor, place your barefoot on the towel and scrunch the towel with your toes for 3 minutes twice daily.