Your feet need loads of care and relaxation to beat the stress and unhealthy conditions during monsoon. Rachna Virdi helps you put your best foot forward!
Foot care is important in all seasons but more so in monsoons. Monsoon is the time when your feet gather all the dirt and muck from the wet roads. The skin too behaves a little strange due to the extra moisture in the environment. This moisture makes your skin oily and the heat dehydrates the skin. This can lead to skin irritation and infection caused by bacteria, which multiplies due to rains, water logging and a damp atmosphere. It is therefore important to take extra care of your feet to make them look fresh and beautiful. All you need is to arm yourself with adequate knowledge on feet care and some precautionary measures to help you prevent the damage and face monsoon with a smile!
No more dirty feet
Monsoon brings relief from the scorching summer heat. But the heat rashes of summer give way to the humidity-induced problems of the rainy season. Dirty, smelly, sweaty feet are a common problem in monsoons. “Excessive sweating and wearing shoes for prolonged periods often lead to smelly feet. This can be prevented by washing your feet well and drying them before wearing your shoes. The socks must be washed and changed daily,” states Cosmetic Physician Rashmi Shetty. Also, wash your feet after every visit in the rains. If your feet are smelling bad due to rainwater, put them in a bucket filled with warm water and soap solution and scrub them with a foot brush. Spare some time during your bath for cleaning your feet while you shower; pay special attention to your ankles, toenails and soles. Use a foot scraper for the heels. The season poses the threat of fungal infections in the wet folds of the feet. In case of infection between your toes or bridges, visit a doctor immediately.
Cleanse, cleanse, cleanse
“Cleansing is important in monsoon as dirt and mud get accumulated on feet. After exposure in the rain, thorough cleaning of feet is extremely necessary. Also, always dry your feet with a fresh towel to prevent fungal infection. Avoid wearing closed shoes as these hold water for a longer duration,” affirms Manjula Shettigar, Spa Manager with Goa Marriott Resort & Spa. She suggests opting for open footwear so that the rainwater easily drains out. After washing and drying your feet, work on improving their appearance by soothing and relaxing them. Apply a good foot cream/lotion after every wash. You can also use a mild moisturising cream. Your feet are the most used and pressured parts of your body. A good method to soothe them is to go for a foot scrub or massage. She adds, “Though monsoon is a beautiful season, we need to be watchful about skin care. And the best place to keep your body, skin and feet pretty looking and free from fungal or bacterial infections is a spa. It is the answer to refreshing and pampering your body and mind,” adds Manjula.
The message of massage
A massage has a long history of therapeutic healing and is considered a holistic treatment. A relaxing foot massage removes dead cells, rejuvenates the body and improves blood circulation. “There’s no doubt that our feet—being the most neglected part of our body—suffer the most. Ironically, they hold the key to relaxation of other important body parts as well. Foot massages play a significant therapeutic role in stress management and wellness of an individual,” asserts Shailesh Patil, Founder and Director, Sukho Thai Foot Spa in Mumbai. The spa offers a range of therapies for relaxing tired feet during monsoon. “For feet glam, we recommend the Thai Traditional Foot Therapy with Herb Bun and Thai Traditional Foot Therapy with Hot Stones. After our feet get soaked in the rainwater, they become dry and lose their moisture. They also become very sensitive. The herbal treatment and the hot stone treatment retain the moisture in the feet. They improve the blood circulation, keep our feet healthy and relax us completely. Above all, they relieve us of all feet pains,” he elaborates.
Go glam on foot
Another good method to pamper your feet is to go for hydrating treatments like pedicures. A pedicure adds glamour to your feet and treats foot problems like ingrowths, dry skin, cuticle push, etc. You can even try a home pedicure. “A home pedicure consists of soaking your feet in warm water, in which 3-4 drops of medical solution has been added, for 15-20 minutes. Once done, cleanse the inside of your nails with an orange stick dipped in hydrogen peroxide and scrub your feet with a foot scraper. Rinse them once again and pat them dry. Complete the pedicure with a foot massage, using a light moisturiser,” suggests Manjula Shettigar. The pedicure should be followed up by trimming your nails to even out the rough edges and keep them clean and dirt-free. Infuse style and glamour by colouring your nails with a good nail lacquer or base coat that protects your nails.
Such cosmetic treatments relax and glamorise your feet, prevent nail disorders and improve their appearance. These little efforts and tender loving care can take your feet miles ahead in monsoon!
Manjula's remedies for body care
Follow these simple precautions to prevent feet infections.
Foot care: Soak your feet in lukewarm water to which one teaspoon of rock salt and four drops of tea tree oil have been added. Tea tree oil has antifungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties; rock salt detoxifies and eases aches and pains.
Face care: A face pack prepared by mixing honey, lime, besan and a pinch of turmeric helps to remove the dirt from clogged pores and makes the skin soft and supple.
Body care: Before taking a bath, scrub your body using besan, milk cream and rose water.
Besan is an effective cleanser and has a healing effect.
Milk cream acts like a moisturiser.
Rose water tones the skin and prevents oil and dirt accumulation by minimising the size of the pores.
Skin care: Take a bath using besan instead of soap or shower gel. Consume plenty of water to maintain the moisture level of your skin. Moisturise your skin with a paste of almonds and milk. Lastly, avoid heavy make-up.
Foot note
Cracked heels, rough skin and dirty feet are the biggest turn-offs in monsoon!
Take a look at what you can do.
Wear water-resistant footwear to make your feet comfortable.
Apply a foot-care cream and moisturise your feet before sleeping to get rid of hard and cracked skin.
Wear water-absorbent socks. Don’t forget to dab a little talcum powder on your socks before wearing them.
Once a week, dip your feet in a tub of warm water for a few minutes. Add some lemon drops and sea salt in the tub. Scrub your feet with a scrub cream. Wash your feet and follow it up with a moisturiser.
Go for shoes that can be suitably exposed to water. Avoid thick material or leather that can stink and
become heavy when wet. And generally, if you’re wearing closed sandals, cut your nails to avoid pain.
Say goodbye to fungal infections by washing your feet properly right after you enter your house. Keep them moisturised.
