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Posted by Rebecca Shaw on February 22, 2023
Healthy feet are vital to our mobility and overall health and it’s important to give our feet the care and attention they deserve. Healthcare professionals tell us the value in focusing on foot health and how caring for our feet and working on increased mobility and strength is crucial in helping us avoid preventable health problems and in maintaining our independence. As we head into National Feet Week, 7 – 13 March, we are reminded that our foot health cannot be underestimated as it affects our quality of life, physical activities and how productive we can be. Painful, sore feet can be such a big problem when we’re trying to stay active and with chronic conditions such as diabetes, doctors will always advise on the importance of foot health. Let’s look at the basics of foot care and how we can make it easy enough to fit into our daily routine.
We have rounded up ten of our customer favourites for you – from Chiropodist Toe Nail Scissors to Oedema Socks and the excellent Lifemax Pedi-cure – all are fantastic little helpers when it comes to caring for your feet. Let’s look at the ways in which you can overcome foot problems, even if you have difficulty bending or reaching, to keep them comfortable and healthy.
Our daily lives can be hard on our feet every day, but how do we make it a priority to keep them healthy? There are many different foot problems that we can encounter, from sore or tender feet, tough skin or even having difficulty in reaching our feet, and so we have to find ways to make caring for them easier. To comfortably manage this every day, of course it helps to have some cleverly designed aids to assist in bathing, grooming, nail and skin care.
First, let’s take a look at the basic importance of a good hygiene routine for our feet. Daily washing is essential to combat any likelihood of irritation, calluses and cracks and to help us to guard against fungal infections. Washing our feet at least once daily is crucial and we should always ensure to dry them thoroughly. An evening wash will help to remove any build-up of sweat and bacteria from the day’s activities, whilst soothing tired feet at the same time.
Our first item in our top ten allows you to keep your feet clean and healthy, even if you have limited mobility or poor balance:
This is a perfect product for anyone with poor balance or limited mobility. Eliminating the need for bending and stretching, the Long Handled Foot and Toe Washing Sponge makes it super easy to keep your feet clean and healthy, making foot washing easier and more comfortable. The ease of use means that we reduce the risk of slipping, falling or injuring yourself as you avoid the need to bend in the shower. With a plastic contoured handle and nylon brush, two narrow sponges are a perfect fit between the toes. It even comes supplied with two spare toe sponges.
Another product which offers an easy and effective way to wash your toes, the Long Handled Toe Washer is an extremely versatile tool which allows you to reach and wash those hard to reach places with ease. The long, bendable stem with easy-grip handle means that even those with restricted or painful movement can use it with ease. The soft, white towelling pad is gentle on the skin and perfect for getting between the toes. Two pads are included so you can always have a clean one on hand.
Clean your feet without bending or straining with the very useful Soapy Soles. Ideal for those with limited movement, balance issues or back pain, wearing these when showering and bathing helps you to keep your feet clean and healthy, without the need even to bend down and so reducing the risk of slips and falls. Soft bristles gently massage your feet clean, whilst strong suction cups on the bases mean that Soapy Soles can be securely attached to the bottom of the bath or shower tray. After applying water and your chosen liquid soap or shower gel, you can then rub your foot backwards and forwards across the bristles for a thorough clean and satisfying massage.
Keeping our toe nails trimmed is not just about keeping up appearances. Toe nail health is an important aspect that we should take care to address regularly. There are a few important tips to remember when cutting your toe nails. Firstly, cut them when they are dry, not wet, as they are less likely to tear or break. Cut them straight across, making a few small cuts rather than attempting one large cut. Don’t cut toe nails too short, as it can lead to ingrowing toe nails and, of course, use appropriate aids for cutting. All of the above can be trickier still when you have limited reach and struggle to get down to your toes. To make life easier for those with limited reach or dexterity issues, we come to the next on our list of top mobility aids for foot care:
Specially designed for people with limited grip or dexterity, these Peta Easy Grip Chiropodist Toe Nail Scissors have long loop handles which allow the whole hand to be used to give better control over the scissors. The elongated shaft means far less bending is necessary to reach the feet. Angled blades offer an optimum cutting position with a top blade slightly serrated to stop it from slipping. The scissors are made from plastic and stainless steel making them lightweight but durable. Choose between the standard plastic blue handles or, if you prefer a rubberised grip, the white and green handles.
Comfortable to use and with a long loop handle for a better grip, the Original Easi-Grip Long Reach Toe Nail Cutter from Peta makes easy work of trimming your toe nails. The extended blades reduce the need for bending and make it easy to reach your toes, while the large loop handles offer an improved, more comfortable grip compared to traditional nails scissors. The scissors are angled for better leverage, reducing the effort needed to cut nails and the blades are slightly serrated to produce a neat, clean snag-free finish.
Hard skin and calluses, on the feet especially, can cause pain and lead to reduced mobility. If you can’t walk comfortably, your independent lifestyle is suddenly under threat and you could become housebound and reliant on others. It’s important to address hard skin and to have smooth, comfortable and healthy feet. This next item is the ultimate tool, a popular choice for effortlessly removing that rough skin.
The Lifemax Pedi-Cure oscillates at high speed to smoothly buff away any hard, dry skin on the feet and hands, leaving them soft and callus free. Also, as a disability aid, it makes dealing with toenails and fingernails much easier if you choose to use it to buff and smooth nails. The handle of the pedicure is comfortable to hold and you can adjust the variable speed controls to your liking. The Lifemax Pedi-Cure is an invaluable addition to your foot care routine which you will immediately feel the benefits of.
This unique Long Handled Pedicure Brush makes it easy to keep your feet in tip-top condition. It comes with an extendable handle, meaning that you can give your feet the care and attention they deserve without needing to bend or strain. The short silicone bristle brush is designed to gently exfoliate and clean your ankles, feet and heels, massaging as it cleans. The pumice stone gently scrubs away dead skin cells, removes corns and softens any hardened skin. The long, gently curved handle has been designed to match the curves of your legs for effortless use. The extra-long handle can be folded in half and hangs for easy storage and transport. With the Long Handled Pedicure Brush, limited mobility or balance problems don't have to mean neglected feet. It allows you to maintain your foot health and hygiene without any discomfort or strain, whilst maintaining your independence too.
Swelling in the ankles, feet and legs is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas, called oedema. There are a range of causes of oedema from standing or sitting in the same position for too long, taking certain medicines, eating too much salty food or pregnancy. Problems with kidneys, heart or liver, an injury or an infection can also cause oedema. You can read more about oedema in our guide here.
Our range of Oedema Socks are ideal for individuals living with diabetes, arthritis, circulation problems, oedema (in feet and legs), peripheral neuropathy, sensitive feet, athlete's foot, enlarged ankles and wide feet. These socks for swollen feet will not constrict around the calf, making them more comfortable to wear.
Seam-free and Elastic-free, with a ‘no heel’ design, these Cotton-rich Oedema Socks are a perfect choice if you are looking for a lightweight option which focuses on comfort. The Feet Retreat Lightweight Seamless Oedema Socks in Beige have been created to provide relief and support to swollen or sensitive feet whilst also allowing for a comfortable non-binding of the foot and calf. The cotton-rich sock offers all the benefits of natural cotton in helping to prevent heat irritation and swelling for the wearer by keeping feet cool and dry. The seam-free manufacture means these socks for swollen feet will not place any constriction around your ankles
If you are looking for something with a gentle grip and extra wide fitting, these Oedema Socks in Beige or Navy come in soft touch cotton for maximum comfort. Featuring elastic-free seams and engineered cross stretch, specifically designed for problematic and sensitive feet, allowing for a comfortable non-binding of the foot and calf. These socks are also especially helpful if you suffer with conditions such as Lymphoedema and other ailments that cause fluid retention that lead to swelling of the feet and ankles. The seam-free manufacture means these socks for swollen feet avoids any tightness around your ankles and the soft touch cotton makes them comfortable to wear.
A good foot spa always feels like a treat for your feet, but the benefits of a home foot spa go even beyond the pure relaxation and comfort you will enjoy. Boosting circulation through heated water and massage, as well as softening problem skin areas, you can even take a foldaway foot spa with you when travelling.
With a clever foldaway design for easy transport and storage, the Lifemax Luxury Foldaway Foot Spa is the ultimate treat for your feet. Bubbles and vibrating massage with infrared heated water, combine to promote good circulation whilst relaxing and soothing tired feet. You can even add your own essential oils for additional relaxation. When not in use, the unique and clever design of this foot spa means that it can be folded flat for easy storage. The compact design also means that you can easily take your Lifemax Luxury Foldaway Foot Spa along with you when you travel. Suitable for every day use, this mobility aid is ideal for people with poor foot circulation, hard or dry skin or restricted mobility and long-term medical conditions that may cause feet to become tired, sore and achy.
Whatever your particular needs, caring for your feet need not be difficult. Whilst recognising the importance of keeping our feet healthy, we hope that our top ten has inspired ways in which you can make your foot care easier, comfortable and even something to enjoy as part of your relaxation. Healthy feet are vital to our overall mobility and health and the aids we have chosen here are sure to be a fantastic help, especially if you have any difficulty in bending or reaching.
Ability Superstore is proud to offer one of the largest selections of mobility aids, daily living aids and disability products in the UK. Established in 2010, we soon became one of the leading websites for both products and advice. Now, with our first retail store, we are happy to be serving our customers face to face, too.
At Ability Superstore, we provide a vast array of items, ranging from basic jar openers to high-end mobility scooters. Our friendly and well-informed staff and Occupational Therapists are always available to address your queries and assist you in finding the ideal gardening or daily living aid to make your day-to-day life more straightforward. Check out our website now to find out more.
You can get in touch with our customer service team for guidance or additional information by calling us free on 0800 255 0498, or emailing us at heretohelp@abilitysuperstore.com, or filling out our Contact Us form on our website. You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
