From cracked heel to swelling, what do your feet say about your health?

Tell me how your feet are and I’ll tell you how you are! Possible causes and natural remedies for the most frequent problems affecting our feet

Our feet can be considered real spies of our health and the little big problems that arise, from swelling, to cracked heels, can give us vital clues about any deficiencies or represent signals that should not be underestimated of heart, liver or kidney disease.

There are many frequent problems that can affect ours feet but they are even more numerous natural remedies which we can resort to to alleviate and resolve them.

We often forget about our feet and don’t care enough for them. Yet they are the ones who support us every day as we deal with the various matters of daily life. The feet deserve to be treated well and taken care of with natural remedies in case of small or big problems, from excessive sweating to bad smells, from corns to ingrown nails up to the chilblains we can suffer from in winter. Also because they can be signs of our general health.

If we treat them well, our feet will thank us and will remain beautiful and healthy for longer. Let’s find out what are the possible causes and natural remedies for frequent problems affecting the feet.

Swollen feet

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Causes of swollen feet: swollen feet are a possible sign of water retention known as edema which can also occur from muscle inactivity when, for example, traveling by plane, standing or sitting for long periods of time. But foot swelling can also occur for other reasons such as pregnancy, venous insufficiency, blood clots, diabetes, liver disease, or drug aversion.

Natural remedies for swollen feet: if the problem is related to heat or circulation, you can try to intervene on the power supply, add less salt at the table and choosing fruit and smoothies rich in potassium. Elevation of the legs may also be helpful as it will help the body circulate blood better and thus reduce swelling. (Read also: Quick and practical tips for swollen feet)

Ingrown toenails

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Cause: Ingrown toenails (technically onychocryptosis) represent a painful problem which can affect those who wear shoes that are too tight and uncomfortable. The way we cut our nails can also cause the onset of this discomfort. It is advisable not to cut them too short or too curved.

Natural remedies for ingrown toenails: Among the most effective natural remedies for ingrown nails we find bicarbonate, lemon and tea tree oil. An excellent solution for this problem is a foot bath with water and salt. (Read also: INCARNATED NAIL: CAUSES AND NATURAL REMEDIES)

Hallux valgus

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L’hallux valgus it’s a problem with the deformation of the foot, due to the laxity of the ligaments and muscles of the big toe and of the plantar vault. This gives rise to the bump that is typical of hallux valgus.

Causes of hallux valgus: Anyone can have hallux valgus, but this deformity is usually more common in women and worsens later in life. The causes can be congenital or related to the presence of some types of arthritis. Hallux valgus can also be caused by excess weight or poor posture.

Remedies for hallux valgus: In severe cases, experts recommend resorting to surgery, but it is possible to correct the deformation thanks to the use of special foot braces or specific exercises that can relieve the discomfort caused by hallux valgus. (Read also: HALLUCE VALGUS: REMEDIES AND EXERCISES)

Sweaty feet and bad smells

Excessive foot sweating can lead to the formation of bad odors, a source of discomfort for many people.

Cause: The main causes of the onset of bad odor include the presence of such bacteria Brevibacterium, which feed on dead skin cells, grease and dirt residues that lurk in the feet. Using synthetic socks and shoes does not help at all, on the contrary it contributes to worsening the problem. Also responsible for the bad smell can be the mushrooms. In this regard, a very widespread problem is the so-called piede d’atleta, the tinea pedis, a cutaneous mycosis that causes bad odor as well as rashes and itching.

Natural remedies: Some people come to help to solve the problem of smelly feet grandmother’s remedies, starting from the foot baths. For example, bicarbonate, corn starch, sage or lavender can be added to the water in the foot bath. Rosemary and rosemary essential oil counteract excessive sweating and bad odors. (Read also: FEET AND BAD SMELLS: 10 NATURAL REMEDIES)

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Cold feet

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Everyone will have had frozen feet, especially during the winter, and the sensation is not pleasant at all.

Causes of cold feet: Cold feet are usually the result of poor blood circulation. In fact, when the blood does not circulate well, the first part of the body that we feel colder is certainly the feet. However, there are other causes as well, including anemia, diabetes, hypothyroidism and other less common ones.

Natural remedies for cold feet: An excellent remedy for cold feet is the combination of herbal tea and hot foot bath. In particular, the ginger tea it has an extraordinary warming effect on our body. Another option can be to use thermal or insulating socks and shoes. (Read also: COLD HANDS AND FEET: 10 NATURAL REMEDIES)

Calluses and calluses

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Corns and calluses are two very common problems, which can also cause annoying irritation. The two disorders are often confused. While a callus is a localized thickening that appears as a protruding and hardened area of skin, calluses cover more of the skin.

Causes of corns and calluses: corns and calluses generally develop due to repeated pressure and friction over time. The main cause of these formations is to be attributed to the use of uncomfortable or too tight shoes, such as high heels that cause a strong compression in certain areas of the foot.

Natural remedies for calluses and calluses: if you don’t know how to intervene in case of calluses and calluses do not forget that there are natural remedies available to you from scrub al sale marino and from the foot bath to sodium bicarbonate. The ideal would be to indulge in one foot bath per week. Pumice stone is also a valid ally that can help us smooth out the calluses under our feet. (Read also: CALLI AND DURONI: 10 NATURAL REMEDIES)

Mycosis of the nails

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The nail fungus, technically onychomycosis, it represents a problem that mainly affects those who frequent swimming pools and gyms, but not only. Often the first alarm bell is represented by the thickening and yellowing of the nails.

Causes of nail fungus: humid environments represent an excellent breeding ground for fungi. It is very easy to pick up mushrooms in swimming pools or gym changing rooms if you walk barefoot. In the presence of a decline in immune defenses or diabetes, one is more exposed to infections caused by fungi.

Natural remedies for nail fungus: one of the best known remedies to stem nail fungus is the Tea Tree Oil, an essential oil with powerful natural antifungal properties. Another valid 100% natural remedy is echinacea, which has a strong immunostimulating action. (Read also: MYCOSIS TO NAILS: NATURAL REMEDIES)

Geloni

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Chilblains mean a skin irritation that usually presents with redness and swelling. It can affect both the hands and the feet.

Causes of chilblains on the feet: the most common cause of chilblains is the slowing of skin circulation, caused by sudden changes in temperature and exposure to cold. It is no coincidence that this is a widespread problem especially in winter.

Natural remedies for chilblains: among the remedies for the geloni first of all we find the compresses and herbal oils, which can be used both on the feet and on the hands. The first weapon, however, always remains prevention. Don’t forget to wear heavy gloves, socks and suitable footwear if you know you need to spend a lot of time outdoors in winter. (Read also: GELONI: 10 NATURAL REMEDIES FOR HANDS AND FEET

Cracked heels

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Cracked heels are not only unsightly but very annoying. This problem occurs when the feet are not properly hydrated.

Causes of cracked heels: in most cases, cracked heels are due to alterations in the hydrolipidic film and excessive dryness of the skin. The heel area is dry, rough to the touch and sometimes even with cracks. This phenomenon is particularly common in the summer season, when the skin is most dehydrated. The use of shoes such as sandals, which expose the feet to dry air, should be avoided.

Natural remedies for cracked heels: if you have the cracked heels, try to rely on natural and grandmother’s remedies. To soften the skin of the heels, a nice warm foot bath with bicarbonate and a few drops of essential oil, such as chamomile or lavender, can be very useful. Alternatively, you can add a little honey, which has moisturizing and antibacterial properties. Don’t forget to scrub from time to time, especially in summer, and apply a moisturizer or almond oil. (Read also: CRACKED HEELS: 10 NATURAL REMEDIES THAT REALLY WORK)

Partridge eye

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The partridge eye it is a thickening of the skin very similar to the callus, although generally smaller and rounder. The name derives from the fact that the affected area is circular, white or red, with a darker point in the center, reminiscent of the eye of a partridge.

Causes of partridge eye: generally the onset of partridge eye is due to the use of inadequate or uncomfortable shoes, such as heels. This problem, in fact, is due to a continuous rubbing or excessive pressure on a part of the foot.

Natural remedies for partridge eye: the first way to combat partridge eye formation is to use comfortable shoes. If you really have to wear a pair of uncomfortable heeled shoes it is advisable to use patches on the toes. Furthermore, fortunately, there are several natural remedies to alleviate the problem. These include foot baths, aloe vera gel that has a refreshing and soothing action and calendula wraps. (Read also: EYE OF PARTRIDGE UNDER FOOT: REMEDIES AND CURES)