Monsoon Foot Care

Shahnaz Husain *

Caring for your feet during monsoons can prove to be quite tricky as they’re exposed to dirt and germs due to prolonged and constant exposure to muck and rainwater during a downpour. Walking through dirty water is unavoidable, exposing feet to germs and infections. Our feet bear the brunt of it and are exposed to all sorts of dirt and pollutants floating in the water.

The humid, wet and sticky climate translates into wet shoes, sweaty feet, cracked toes, fungal infections, itching, athlete's foot and many other allergies. Wearing tight, closed-toe shoes, keeping your feet wet for a long time, and getting minor skin or nail injuries on your foot are common causes of fungal infections of feet.

A little extra care tendered to your feet during monsoon and rainy seasons can help prevent shoe bites & serious foot conditions.

The main problem during the Monsoons is high humidity and sweat. The feet are among the areas where germs accumulate and odour forms. The waste matter, which is 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.

Selecting appropriate footwear is crucial to maintaining foot health during the monsoon. Avoid wearing heels in the monsoons as roads get wet and slippery. If unavoidable, wear footwear that is resistant and with as little heel as possible.

Switch your heels for simple footwear such as flip-flops, slippers, rubber boots, sandals etc., as they allow maximum ventilation and help the perspiration evaporate. But, open footwear also attracts dirt and therefore, foot hygiene becomes all the more important.

Don't forget to wear gum boots if you live in a region prone to heavy rainfall and floods. If you wear closed shoes, talcum powder can be sprinkled inside the shoes. 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. The 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.

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. Do not neglect any type of warts, wounds or minor infections on your feet. Clean your wounds with an antiseptic liquid

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 Soak: In one-fourth bucket of warm water, add half cup of coarse salt and 10 drops of lemon, or orange essential oil (if you cannot get essential oil, use half a 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 to 15 minutes.

Foot Lotion: Mix together 3 tablespoons of rose water, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and one teaspoon pure glycerin. Apply on feet and leave on for half an hour.

Foot Care for Dryness: In one-fourth bucket cold water, put 2 tablespoons honey, one tablespoon herbal shampoo, 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.

Toenails ------Overgrown nails are an invitation to dirt and grime that accumulate under them and a breeding ground for fungal infections.

Keeping your toenails groomed by cutting them to an optimal short length is a way of making sure that an unnecessary amount of dirt doesn’t accumulate in your toenails. Additionally, moisture causes toenails to become brittle so a regular trim keeps it under check.

Cooling Massage Oil: Take 100 ml olive oil and add 2 DROPS eucalyptus oil, 2 DROPS rosemary oil and 3 DROPS khus, or rose oil. Mix together and keep in an airtight glass jar. Use a little of this for foot massage. It cools and protects the skin and keeps it healthy.

Make a mix of three tablespoons of rose water with two tablespoons of lemon juice and one teaspoon of pure glycerine. Apply this daily after washing and drying the feet.

Turmeric ----Paste of turmeric which is well known for its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties can be applied around the toes to get rid of fungal infections too.