Foot balm is one of the best things to happen to foot problems. Odors, dryness, and itching should not be a thing of worry anymore when you can just buy a foot balm.
Cracked heels occur for one main reason: the skin on your heels is too dry to support the immense pressure on them. The skin there is more susceptible to the effects of dry air due to the fact it has fewer oil glands than other parts of the body.
So when your feet expand, the dry skin just splits, making it easy for microbes to enter. This can result in viral, bacterial and fungal infections.
The feet are the body foundation but sadly, many people neglect them until something threatening happens there.
Ignoring cracked heels could lead more dire issues and nobody wants that. If you take care of the skin intensively, then your feet should be included in the regular care.
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Importance of Foot Balm
When it comes to treating dry feet, keeping them hydrated is important. This is where a quality foot balm comes in. It is quickly absorbed and helps the feet retain its own natural moisture in the outer layer.
It also acts as an extra barrier, protecting your skin from ultraviolet radiation. Nourishing ingredients such as Vitamins A and E, which are great for treating dry skin, are usually found in it.
Types of Foot Balm
Every foot balm is made up of special ingredients to treat specific foot problems. So below, we list the types available…
Anti-fungal Foot Balm
An anti-fungal foot balm is specifically treats fungal infections in the feet. It can also stop the spread of a fungal infection on the foot.
Such a foot balm would contain chemical ingredients as well as natural ingredients. Some of the natural ingredients it could contain are tea tree, lavender, peppermint and eucalyptus. To use anti-fungal foot balm, all you need to do is apply it on the areas affected by fungal infection.
Callus and Cracked Heel Foot Balm
A callus is a thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue. This can happen if an area has been subjected to constant friction. It is the skin’s natural reaction to protect itself. Calluses usually appear on the fingers, legs, hands and ankles.
Thing is, calluses can cause discomfort and pain when walking. The remedy is to use callus and cracked heel foot balm.
Antiperspirant Foot Balm
Hyperhidrosis is a condition where a person has sweaty feet. Nobody knows exactly what causes this but it is likely linked to genes. Most people sweat when it is hot but people with hyperhidrosis sweat all the time. It is more common in men than women.
Stress, medications and hormonal changes can also trigger your body to sweat more. Using antiperspirant foot balm quickly makes your feet free from excessive sweating and smelly feet.
It usually contains ingredients such as aluminum zirconium, aluminum chloride, and aluminum chloral hydrate. The aluminum ions will form a temporary blockage in the sweat ducts, and stop the flow of sweat to the skin surface.
Plantar Fasciitis Foot Balm
Plantar fasciitis sounds like those biology terms you were bored with in college. For easy understanding, if the bottom of your foot hurts when you walk, you may have a condition called plantar fasciitis.
This condition is more common in women due to wearing heels, especially with those who wear them a lot. But the pain can be eliminated with plantar fasciitis foot balm.
Anti-blister Foot Balm
Blister is an area of raised skin with liquid inside. They usually form on hands and feet due to rubbing and pressure. You can also develop blisters on feet from wearing uncomfortable shoes even for just a few hours.
If you want to avoid or treat blisters on the feet, there are anti-blister foot balms to help you.
Ingredients to Consider When Buying a Foot Balm
Every kind of foot problem requires special ingredients to treat it. Therefore, knowing the specific foot problem you have would help you get the ideal foot balm.
Before deciding on the foot balm to use, consider the ingredients contained in it…
Antibacterial Ingredients
Choose a foot balm with antibacterial ingredients if you have foot odor because bacteria can cause your feet to smell. Also, select a foot balm with properties that fight inflammation if you have swollen or painful feet.
Foot balm containing ingredients such as tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil helps to eliminate bacteria on the feet due to their antibacterial properties. One with a pleasant and natural scent such as lavender also helps to control the odor.
Neem and/or Karanja Oil
Select a foot balm that contains natural ingredients because they are less likely to irritate sensitive skin. Neem oil and karanja oil are both natural substances that are known to improve the look and feel of dry feet.
Karanja oil can also be used for other skin conditions like skin ulcers. It can even help eliminate dandruff. The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of Neem oil helps to reduce the chances of athlete’s foot occurring.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a well-known component of any good foot balm. Because of its minty feel, it is perfect for soothing feet that feel hot and for calming sensitive skin under any form of irritation.
Shea Butter
Shea butter soaks quickly and smoothly into skin and is great at locking in moisture. Its anti-inflammatory properties enable it to take care of swollen feet.
Urea
Foot balms containing urea work like magic. Urea has the ability to be absorbed farther down into any skin type than a lot of other ingredients. This makes it easier for it to soften any hard skin from within. Keratosis and eczema can be treated with urea and while it is at it, breaking and cracking are reduced.
It is also important to note the harmful substances in a foot balm, such as alcohol, formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate.
Check out these interesting skin care product reviews/articles:
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Tips on Getting the Best from Using a Foot Balm
Wear Heel Cups
Using shoes with heel cups is as helpful as using stockings. Heel cups prevent your feet from touching the materials of your shoes and keep them comfortable.
Wash Feet with Warm Water
Always use mild soap to wash them and be sure to dry them completely because fungi thrive in damp environment. The parts between the toes are liable to fungal infection.
Avoid Soaking Feet
The worst scenario is soaking the feet inside hot water because it causes dryness. And if you are prone to foot infections when your skin breaks, this is even truer.
It is advisable to use warm water rather than hot water in order to preserve the natural oils and moisture on the skin. Generally, soaking increase dehydration of dry feet. Rather than soaking your feet, apply sugar scrub on dry feet, then wipe.
Examine Feet Daily
This would help in determining if you have any issues with your feet. It is also important to visit a podiatrist every 2 or 3 months, at the very least.
Use Moisturizing Lotions and Soaps
Take note: do not apply lotion between the toes because it can lead to the growth of fungus. Use moisturizers that are beneficial to the feet after taking a bath or shower.
Do Not Walk Barefooted
This is especially true if you have just applied a moisturizer. Your feet would be slippery and may cause injury. because your feet have become slippery.
Wear the Right Size of Shoes
If your shoes do not fit properly, blisters can occur. If blisters occur on your feet, do not open them because it can result in infection. It is ideal that you clean blisters and use recommended antibacterial cream.
Trim Nails Regularly
This would help prevent ingrown nails. Visit a doctor if you notice ingrown nails on your feet.
Exfoliate At Least Once a Week
Exfoliation helps to remove dry skin cells, resulting in a smoother feel to the feet.
Do Not Scrape with Razors
Using razor blades to scrape dead skin from your feet can lead to cuts which can become infected.
Instead, use a pumice stone. When you are buying pumice stones, select ones that are good for the skin. And before using any, put it inside water or under running water. It is important not to apply pressure when using it.
Gently rub dead skin away from the ends of the feet. Repeat the process severally until you get rid of your dead skin.
Apply Sunscreen
Who says sunscreen cannot be used on the feet? Your nails are made of protein just like your skin. So the weather can cause your feet to feel dry, which is not good for nail growth.
Eat Properly
Your skin is a reflection of what you eat. Food plays a vital role in the body and there are side effects associated with certain kinds of food. Salty and sugary foods can cause swollen feet; take care how you consume them.
Your Toes Need to Breathe
When toes are allowed to breathe, they remove chemical residue. Another reason your toes needs a break is it discourages discoloration in the nails.
Soften Toenails
Your toenails could become hard because of the shoes you wear. Petroleum jelly, when used on your toenails at night, can help soften them.
Drink a Lot of Water
Water helps in re-hydrating the skin. This applies to your cracked heels, too.
Rest Your Feet
If you stand for a long while, it causes soreness to the feet. Take a break sometimes in order to rest them. You will be glad you did.
