Our feet suffer perhaps the most when the rainy season comes around. The dirt and sludge on the roads combined with our newfound love for flip flops wreaks havoc on our foot hygiene. And it is not practical or possible to get pedicures every other day, meaning that when it comes to the maintenance of our feet, we have to take better personal initiative. So what can you do? Compiled here are best monsoon foot care tips you must follow
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Post rain cleanliness
Once your enter your house after getting soaked in the rain, your first order of business should be to dip your feet in lukewarm water with about 1 cup of anti-septic lotion. After soaking your feet for 10-15 minutes, wash your feet with antibacterial soap and thoroughly dry your feet with a towel. It is essential that your nails are kept short and clean to prevent the accumulation of dirt and infection.
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Talcum powder
After drying with a towel, apply some talcum powder and keep your feet free in the air for some time by resting it on the sofa or stool. You can also sit under a ceiling fan on your bed and let your feet air. After doing all of the above, if you need to go out, wear socks. If you have the problem of smelly feet, then simply use foot care tips – apply talcum powder along with powdered camphor on the feet and then wear socks or shoes.
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Right footwear
We might have limited footwear options when it comes to the monsoon, and wearing flip flops can cause major dirt to accumulate on your feet, but it is the best option of all those available. It is advisable to steer clear from high heeled shoes, canvas shoes or shoes that are closed in general. If you can get your hands on rain boots, that is the best option for you. If not, then stick to open shoes or flip flops made of plastic. Once you are inside, make sure you dry your feet and get rid of the grime properly to prevent infection.
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Maintaining clean footwear
Once you are safely home and away from the rain, soak your slippers in antibacterial soap and water for some time and then leave them in an airy place to dry properly. Doing this will prevent the onslaught of fungus on your slippers.
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Exfoliate
Exfoliating your feet regularly is one of the best ways to ensure cleanliness. You can soak your feet in lukewarm water mixed with any regular shampoo and scrub using a pumice stone. If you have a favourite foot scrub that you use, you should up the usage during this time.
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Moisturise
After cleaning and drying your feet with a towel, you should put on a sweet smelling hydrant like Gulabari Moisturising Lotion to make sure your feet stay hydrated the right way. One of the best ways to deal with cracked heels is to apply Dabur Gulabari Cold Cream on your feet and putting socks on before going to sleep at night. Another effective way to deal with dry feet is to massage your feet with your favourite natural body oil.
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Pedicure
You can easily give yourself a pedicure at home. Required things are a foot soak or shampoo in lukewarm water, some lemon juice and a pumice stone or foot scrub. Don’t push the cuticles, clean the underneath of nails well, file, buff, and polish, accordingly. Ultimately apply glycerine and massage well. This will go a long way in de-stressing your feet and maintaining cleanliness. It will also give you a much needed time to unwind. If you want a detailed step-by-step guide to how to do pedicure at home.
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Home remedies
There are foot masks that you can make from the ingredients that you are sure to have lying around your house. Mix 4 tbsp. of Multani Mitti and add 2 drops of lavender or jasmine oil, half a teaspoon of turmeric and 1 tablespoon of dried crushed neem leaves. Mix with warm water and make it into a paste. Apply on your clean dry feet for 20 to 30 minutes. Wash it off, pat dry with a towel and massage your feet with olive oil afterwards. This foot care tips will do wonders for your feet.
Following these monsoon foot care tips will help you tide over the monsoon season with clean, dry and hygienic feet. Share your experience with us.