What are the benefits of soaking your feet regularly?

As soon as winter comes, "foot soaking" becomes a hot topic. This year is a little special, the weather is hot and cold, and respiratory infections are very common. So, can soaking your feet in hot water drive away the cold and bring health benefits?

Today, let’s talk about this topic.

1. The benefits of foot soaking

The first question is also the most practical one: Are there any benefits to foot soaking? Yes, there are two aspects.

First, the benefits to the feet. According to a survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), 80% of people have some kind of foot problems, such as foot odor and foot pain. Foot odor is related to bacterial growth. Washing away the bacterial metabolites will naturally reduce the odor. Foot pain is often related to inappropriate shoes. Although hot water soaking feet cannot fundamentally solve the problem, it can reduce pain.

Secondly, it is about the whole body. In order to attract customers, some foot massage shops claim that foot bath can cure various diseases. People with some common sense know that this is not credible. For overall health, there are two benefits of foot bathing that have been confirmed by research: one is to improve sleep. Soaking feet at night not only makes it easier to fall asleep, but also improves the quality of sleep; the other is to reduce psychological pressure. When the pressure is too high, we will involuntarily breathe faster, our heart rate will accelerate, our blood pressure will rise, and we will be more sensitive to pain. Soaking feet in hot water can soothe the body and alleviate the problems caused by anxiety to a certain extent.

Take care of your feet

2. Taboos of foot soaking

Who is not suitable for foot soaking? Generally speaking, there are three types of people who are not suitable for foot soaking, and another type of people need to pay attention to the way of foot soaking.

First, if the skin of the feet is damaged, such as wounds on the feet. The skin is the first line of defense of the human body. Once injured, the probability of microbial infection will increase. In this case, it is best not to get wet for the time being and wait patiently for the wound to heal.

Generally speaking, wounds are easy to detect, but it is a little special for diabetic patients. Long-term abnormal blood sugar levels may cause cracks and ulcers on the feet, and interfere with the sensation of the feet. In other words, diabetic patients may have broken skin on their feet without knowing it. Surveys in recent years have shown that the probability of elderly diabetic patients having foot abnormalities is quite high. Therefore, diabetic patients, especially the elderly, should not soak their feet rashly, and must go to the hospital for regular checkups.

Second, people with serious or acute diseases, such as heart attack, uncontrolled hypertension, and severe varicose veins in the lower limbs. Hot water foot bath can dilate the blood vessels in the lower limbs and has no negative effects on ordinary people. For the above patients, cardiovascular disease will affect the ability to regulate blood volume, and varicose veins will hinder blood return. Soaking feet for a long time may be dangerous.

Patients who have been bedridden for a long time may have blood clots in their lower limbs. If you suddenly soak your feet in hot water, the blood clots may fall off and enter the blood circulation. If they block an important blood vessel, serious consequences will occur. The Beijing Evening News has reported such cases. Although they are not common, they are still worth being vigilant about.

Third, those who are allergic to foot bath products. Some people like to add something when bathing their feet. If the ingredients are clear and they have been used before, there is no problem; if the ingredients are unclear and they have never been used before, skin allergies may occur.

In addition, some experts suggest that children should not soak their feet for a long time. Children's arches are still in the development stage, and long-term soaking may cause ligament relaxation, which in turn leads to flat feet. In addition, children's skin is more delicate, and they may not be able to tolerate the water temperature that adults think is appropriate. Therefore, if you must soak your child's feet, you must pay attention to the time and temperature.

3. Foot Soaking Method

So, what is the correct way to soak your feet?

First of all, is it at home or in a store? If the hygiene conditions are up to standard, there is no difference. However, a study by the Shanghai Center for Disease Control shows that not every foot bathing place has implemented the "one customer, one change, one disinfection" standard. If you want to soak your feet outside, try to choose a reliable store.

Secondly, what kind of water should be used?

For healthy adults, the water temperature is about 40℃. For the elderly and children, the water temperature should be lowered to about 37℃. If necessary, you can buy a thermometer and record the temperature they think is appropriate.

As for the water source, tap water is fine. If you have calluses on your feet, you can consider adding some bath salts. The main ingredient of bath salts is magnesium sulfate, which can relieve the accumulation of stratum corneum to a certain extent. If the calluses are particularly severe, it is best to seek help from a doctor and use appropriate softening drugs.

Finally, how to make it?

It is definitely better to concentrate. Playing with mobile phones may interfere with circadian rhythms and thus affect sleep. Do not place utensils such as kettles around the foot basin to avoid accidents such as scalding. If you encounter it, remember to rinse with plenty of water and do not apply anything on the wound.

As for the duration, for healthy adults, it is not a big problem as long as it is not too long. To be on the safe side, the duration can be controlled within 10 minutes.

Before or during a foot bath, you can clean your feet with soap. The principle of cleaning is the same as washing your hands: ordinary soap is enough, and make sure to clean every toe gap without missing any area.

After soaking your feet, be sure to dry them carefully and observe the condition of your feet. Is the skin red or swollen? If so, it is best to lower the water temperature and reduce the soaking time next time. Are there any signs of allergies, such as itchy skin? If so, you may have chosen the wrong foot bath products. You can temporarily stop using them and observe for two days. Do you feel any discomfort such as palpitations, dizziness, or even difficulty breathing? If so, be sure to go to the hospital in time.

Some people like to trim their feet with a knife after soaking their feet. In fact, calluses are related to long-term pressure, and the right shoes are the most important. Moreover, if you are not careful when trimming your feet, you may hurt your skin. You should also be careful when trimming your toenails. If you don't pay attention to the method, it may cause paronychia.

Trim your fingernails and toenails correctly

IV. Conclusion

In short, although soaking your feet is a trivial matter, you should pay more attention to it. There are many cold receptors in the feet, so they are particularly sensitive to cold. If you soak your feet in the right way, you can spend a warm winter.

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Author: Zhao Yanchang, a popular science author

Editor: Guru