It’s no secret that excessive feteing and masquerading can impact your feet, causing all sorts of foot problems. The days after the festivities, is when the foot pain or discomfort activates. You can take some pain meds, rub your feet with muscle rub, and stay in bed all day, with hopes that the pain goes away. However, the purpose of this article is to provide key remedies to get your feet feeling better fast.

The Symptoms  

Pain and discomfort are the hallmark of the last lap effect on the feet. It may be mild and achy, to intense and severe. Some people may not be able to walk for hours, or a full day. The pain could be localised to a pressure spot, or more globally throughout the foot. And this seems to vary depending on foot structure, and the presence of any underlying foot problems, such as bunions, hammer toes, and metatarsalgia, to name a few. Of course heel height/shoe structure, and time spent in the shoe, are culprits too.

Foot swelling, cuts and scrapes are also possible; so here are some tips to help with your after Carnival cool down:

• Yoga, Stretching & Foot Exercises

The Achilles Tendon and calf muscle become tight, so it’s important to actively perform stretches. Yoga is an excellent method to stay stretched, using specific postures that benefit the feet. Performing simple range-of-motion exercises of the ankles, can keep the blood flowing within the foot, helping to remove excess fluids (swelling) in the lower leg. This is best accomplished by moving the foot up, down, left, right, and in a clockwise and anti-clockwise position. Another method, is to draw an imaginary alphabet with your big toe.

• Soak your feet in Mineral Foot Bath

Apart from being relaxing, Epsom salt soaks have long been used to soothe sore body parts, especially the feet. It is actually not a salt, but rather a natural mineral of magnesium and sulphate, and can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is important for the body, to build and repair tissues, as it’s used in more than 300 enzymatic reactions. Warm water allows for the dilation of the body blood vessels, and opens the skins pores. So, think of this as a mineral bath, that provides direct benefit to your feet, when they need to recover.

• Pamper your feet

The presence of improperly cut toe nails, or ingrown nails, may cause pain after wearing carnival boots. Calluses themselves may be painful due to their location. Having a pedicure may directly alleviate these painful areas. People with diabetes should always use caution when receiving foot care though.

• Moisturising is King

It is important to keep the skin on your foot well moisturised, as rough areas develop on pressure points and can be painful. The ball of the foot takes most of the weightbearing, and the foot can become quite callused in this area. Thicker calluses may become painful, especially if they are cracked and fissured. The top of the toes may develop corns, that can also be painful in a closed toe shoe. The back of the heel is notorious for becoming irritated, and you can develop blisters and sores with dry skin.

Moisturisers dedicated to the feet are often best, as the skin of the bottom of the foot is thicker, and actually has an additional layer of skin, compared to skin elsewhere. Urea based creams are most commonly known for moisturising. Of course, moisturising creams should be applied after a foot bath, for maximal penetration, twice daily.

• Massage

This is thought to provide pain relief from musculoskeletal injury, as well as alleviate anxiety. The therapeutic benefits of massage go back to ancient times, and dozens of techniques exist. The arch of the foot contains several muscles that are intrinsic to the foot, and work to stabilise the toes. The altered alignment and biomechanics, may result in muscular imbalances within the foot, and muscular strains. Additionally, massage may also improve blood flow and alleviate lymphatic edema.

• Wear Sneakers 

It is important to allow your feet to ‘rest’ after the season. As previously discussed, the ball of the foot or heel takes the most pressure, and one could develop tears in the ligaments that support the toes on the bottom of the foot, and/or develop stress fractures. Nonetheless, well-cushioned sneakers work the best, and you can wear padded socks for extra cushion. If you can’t wear sneakers, try to limit the amount of time your foot is exposed to your normal footwear; to compensate, wear slippers or sneakers to and from your destination.

 

Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!