Desiree by Faryl Robin--$39.90 after 30% discount

1. Wear breathable shoes. Leather shoes will let your feet breathe.  Vinyl shoes, on the other hand, will cut off air circulation, and will only worsen your symptoms.

2. Opt for moisture-wicking socks. Some materials, like cotton, hold onto moisture.  Others, like CoolMax, wick it away from your foot. If you tend toward sweaty feet, or you tend to wear the same shoes for many hours, find socks that are made with moisture-wicking materials.

Karri by Nude--$58.80 after 30% discount.

4. Give yourself a Homeopathic Footbath. You can also make your own drying remedies.  Diluted tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, may be applied to infected areas, or added to a footbath.  Additionally, you can reduce your symptoms by bathing your feet in a mixture of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water.  Soak your feet in this solution for ten minutes at a stretch, one or two times a day.

5. Try Vicks VapoRub. Many former Athelete’s Foot sufferers swear by Vicks VapoRub.  Rub this ointment into infected areas.

6. Blow-dry moisture away. Looking for an easy way to dry out those tricky areas?  Reach for your hair dryer.  After stepping out of the shower, use your blow-dryer to completely dry out any areas that tend to hold moisture.

Bianca by Camper--$77 after 30% discount

7. Disinfect stinky old shoes. That smell emanating from your sneakers?  That’s the smell of bacteria!  Use medicated powders or sprays to kill the bacteria lurking in your kicks.

8. Don’t walk barefoot in public places. Swimming pools, gyms, and public showers are prime locations to pick up Athlete’s Foot.  Wear flip-flops to prevent the fungus from coming in contact with your feet.

9. Treat all areas of the body at once. Many people treat foot fungus on their skin, but neglect their nails.  Unfortunately, they often find that their symptoms return in a couple of weeks or months.  To completely get rid of Athlete’s Foot, you must treat all infected areas at once.

10. Treat all family members at once. Remember, if you share a shower with your loved ones, you also share their foot diseases.  Make sure everyone in your household is taking precautions to avoid Athlete’s Foot, and carefully treating any current infections.

For extreme and/or ongoing cases of Athlete’s Foot, you should see your doctor.  He or she may prescribe an oral anti-fungal pill.

Once you clear up your Athlete’s Foot once and for all, pick out a pretty pair of peep-toe pumps and strut all over town, flaunting your healthy, beautiful feet.

1.  They are open to the air. Remember, air can be lethal because it can carry bacteria.  Wearing flip-flops leaves you open to diseases, especially if someone sneezes on your foot.  Actually, just avoid air whenever possible.  Stuff yourself into a performance-boosting wetsuit and be confident that you have a saving layer of man-made polyurethane between you and all that pernicious air.

2. They can carry disease. That’s right– the Staph bacteria have been known to live inside your flip-flops.  So you should only wear them to places that have been designated Staph-free zones. And keep your eyes open– if a purple alert is posted, deadly flip-flop viruses are thinking of going on the attack.

3.  They aren’t connected to your heel. Henceforth, that slapping sound will no longer be the shoe soundtrack to summer.  Instead, the menacing flip-flop sound will serve as the death-knoll to your foot health.  Flip-flops leave your feet open to dry air and dust, which can suck the moisture out of your skin.  Even worse, they provide no arch support and force you to scrunch up your toes when you walk, which can lead to ugly hammertoes.  When will people learn that the human foot has actually evolved to be shoved into damp, warm, constrictive shoes?  (Just stick yer fingers in your ears when you hear about the benefits of going barefoot.)

Okay, enough with the facetious sarcasm.  Sure, flip-flops can hurt you– if you don’t take care of yourself.  I won’t deny that flip-flops can carry disease, dry out your feet, and cause soreness if you wear them all the time.  So take care of yourself.  Moisturize, exfoliate, and nurture your feet.  Don’t force them into the same pair of shoes every day.  And don’t let your flip-flops become caked with foot gunk– wash them once in a while. But don’t deny yourself the pleasure of slipping into a pair of sandals and strutting around town with your tootsies out in the fresh summer breeze.  Check out Shoefly’s selection of sandals today.

Related articles: 5 Tips for Finding the Perfect Poolside Sandals

Top photo by {meagen}.

1. Get the right shoes. As you mosey through the shoe racks, look for styles that will evenly support your whole foot.  Flat shoes are better than heels for working on your feet.  Rounded toes allow your tootsies enough space to kick around at your toe.  Nothing should

Seaside by Michael Kors

pinch or rub as you walk.  Check out this post’s photos for a few Shoefly flats that will feel great late, late into your shift.

2. Get the right socks. Once you’ve selected your shoes, go on a sock-finding expedition.  Below-the-knee stockings may be a good choice, as they are said to increase circulation and reduce swelling.  Others swear by toe socks, as they reduce irritation and allow your feet to sweat properly.  Try out a few thicknesses and styles, so that you know what works best for you.  Then, stock up on that style of sock.  If you’re working an extra long shift, why not bring an extra pair of socks?  Something as simple as changing your socks halfway through a shift can feel like a mini-spa to sore feet.

3.  Soak and Sigh. Take care of your spirit and your feet at the same time with a relaxing foot bath. Fill a clean shallow tub with warm water, and add a handful of Epsom salts.  Throw in petals or scent for a rejuvenating aromatherapy experience.  Enjoy for 10-20 minutes.

Cori by Tsubo

4.  Exfoliate. Polishing through exfoliation is vital part of proper skin care.  When your feet are regularly exfoliated, they are free of dead skin and less likely to form callouses.  For a simple, natural exfoliant, mix 1/4 cup honey with 1/4 cup natural or raw sugar.  Add two tablespoons of grape seed oil and rub gently over your whole foot, adding a few drops of warm water when needed.  (See more free foot exfoliant recipes here.)

5. Moisturize overnight. For a complete foot spa, soak, exfoliate, and moisturize overnight.  Once your feet are exfoliated, apply your favorite moisturizer.  A few drops of essential peppermint or lavender oil will make your feet smell sweet.  Stick your feet in soft, comfy socks and drift off into dreamland.  You’ll wake up to such radiant feet, you’ll think you’re still dreaming.

Most of all, take care of yourself. Whenever you can afford it, and especially when once you get home, give yourself a break.  Don’t just mindlessly go to your next task on your to do list– notice how your  feet feel and give them the attention and love they deserve.  Here’s one final parting tip, a bonus from this yin yoga-teaching shoe-ista:

6.  Take Legs Up The Wall Pose.  (Viparita Karani in Sanskrit.)  This yoga pose is perfect for

Right by Camper

unwinding and undoing the day’s damage.  Gather a couple of soft blankets and an eye pillow.  Fold up the blankets until they are in a strip about 3 feet long by 2 feet wide.  If you are more stiff, you will need less padding.  Place your blanket(s) lengthwise along the wall.  Roll yourself onto the blanket so that your low back is supported by the blanket, and your tailbone is against the wall.  (You can get closer to the wall by scooting yourself along, tucking your shoulders under; or you can press against a helpful friend’s legs.)  The entire length of the back of  your legs should be against the wall.  Stack your joints.  Your hips will be slightly higher than your heart, and your legs will be above your head and supported by the wall.

Legs Up The Wall Pose, from EpicSelf.com

Wiggle until you can relax completely in a comfortable pose.  Place your eye pillow over your eyes, and begin to deepen your breathing, inhaling and exhaling deeply and smoothly through the nose.  Bring your hands to your sides, with your palms facing the sky.  Relax every muscle in your body, and hold for anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.  This position is rejuvenating.  It reduces hypertension, slows your heart rate, and gently stretches your whole back body.  Take this pose in the evening and feel your whole stressful day melt away.

Podiatrists have long told us that wearing heels wreaks havok on the body.  Basically, human posture was engineered for flat-footed walking.  In fact, many argue that our bodies are designed to be used without any shoes at all.  (Just look at the barefoot running trend currently dashing across the nation.) Still, the truth is that many women who wear towering heels would feel more comfortable in their favorite pairs if they strengthened their core, legs, and back.  In other words, many women simply don’t have the strength or posture to wear heels well.  Slouching backs, hunched shoulders, and soft bellies are usually to blame for pump discomfort.  Poor balance combined with a weak body spells agonizing pain and less-than-graceful catwalks.

Here are a few tips for strengthening your catwalk:

Dayliner by Naughty Monkey

Do Yoga and Pilates. Yoga and pilates strengthen your core and improve balance.

Roll the bottom of your feet on a tennis ball or golf ball. This stretches and strengthens your calves and the dozens of muscles in your feet.

Stand on one leg, and lift the knee on the other leg. A yoga pose, this exercise improves your posture and strengthens your core.  For the best results, keep a long spine throughout.  Lift the knee to the height of your hip.  Hold for 3-5 deep breaths on each side, and repeat several times.  To challenge yourself, kick the foot out– eventually, with plenty of practice, you’ll be able to hold your straight leg at hip level.

Kitty 6768 by Fornarina

Avoid wearing the same pumps every day. Give your feet a break– don’t force them into the same pair of shoes day after day.

If you’re interested in learning more pump-up poses, contact your local personal trainer or pilates or yoga instructor.

Top photo by BitchBuzz.

1.  Opt for Cute Comfort. Cori by Tsubo (shown at left) is a great picnic shoe, since it’s sporty enough for basic hikes and cute enough to attract your picnic partners’ attention.  (FYI, romantic picnic encounters also burn extra calories.)  Choose comfortable, supportive shoes that you have worn before to avoid creating blisters.  Remember, nothing ruins a picnic like aching feet–or a whiny companion.

2.  Strappy is Good. The company picnic may be the one time of the year when sandals are actually encouraged.  To keep your feet happy regardless of your picnic activities, choose strappy sandals that will provide enough support for your ankles and feet.  Velcro straps are ideal.  The ON1201 by One of Two (at right) has a slightly professional air about it, but it looks ready for summertime fun.  It could be your best bet for your next company outing.

3. Prepare for Your Adventure. Do you plan to pick berries at your destination?  Or will you participate in a raucous, energetic game of freeze tag? Consider your picnic activities as you choose your footwear.  Perforated or mesh shoes will help keep your feet dry and cool as you play.  Lace-up shoes usually offer better support for popular picnic spot sports.  Maia by Tsubo (at left) has you covered, with air channels to increase circulation and a flexible rubber sole to increase mobility.

Top photo by Mykl Roventine.

Wadyka lists her top six and gives a description of what each condition feels like:

1. Plantar Fasciitis — A sharp pain in your heel that’s at its worst when you get out of bed.
2. Ingrown Toenail — A throbbing sensation, usually on the side of a big toe. It might look red and swollen.
3. Bursitis – A bump, usually on the back of a heel.
4. Stress fracture — A tender area, often on the front part of the foot, at the second or third metatarsal (the metatarsals are the long bones in the midfoot).
5. Bunions – Sensitive, protruding bumps, typically at the heads of the big-toe joints.
6. Neuroma – A shooting pain in the ball of the foot.

If you’re experiencing any the above symptoms or conditions, check out what she has to offer as far as treatments are concerned. If your feet are feeling especially healthy and confident though, maybe it’s time for a new pair of shoes. Then again, if they’re not, how about a pair to cheer them up?

Check out the latest styles from two of Shoefly’s fashion-forward designers, Kelsi Dagger and One of Two:

Catarina by Kelsi Dagger.

Ladonna by Kelsi Dagger.

AUO196 by One of Two.

ON965 by One of Two.

[top-right photo: ftdoc.com]

• Look out for glass and other hazards. Don’t let sharp seashells and discarded glass ruin your day at the beach.  Keep a lookout for sharp objects in the sand.  If your foot does get cut, clean and treat it immediately, put on your water shoes, and try not expose the cut to seawater, which can contain potent bacteria.  Puncture wounds should be given immediate medical attention.
• Beware Jellyfish. Like the sirens of the invertebrate world, the enchanting appearance of jellyfish is deceptive.  Avoid these gorgeous monsters altogether, and remember that even dead, washed-up jellyfish can sting you.  If you are stung, remove any tentacles and treat wounds with vinegar, meat tenderizer, or baking soda to reduce swelling and pain.
• Put Sun Lotion on your Feet. Not only will lubing up your feet prevent unsightly tan lines; you will also avoid the “rare but deadly skin cancers” that can occur on the feet, as the feet geeks at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons put it.
• Opt For Supportive Running Shoes. Running on uneven surfaces like sand can cause ankle and foot injuries.  If you can’t resist the sensation of running barefoot in the surf, be sure to properly care for any injuries you incur; see a doctor for any that don’t clear up after a few days.
• Wear Shoes If You Have Diabetes. As you probably know if you suffer from diabetes, this disease causes poor blood circulation and numbness in the feet.  This means you may not even notice a cut until it’s already infected and ulcerated. Don’t put yourself at risk; wear shoes, and check them often for pebbles and other objects that could cause cuts.
• Pamper Yourself After Your Fun in the Sun. Salt, sand, and surf are tough on the skin.  Sunlight burns, and salt water dehydrates your skin.  Ocean water may also contain irritants, so be sure to shower after your day in the sun.  If you leave salt water on your skin, it may cause irritation and itchiness.  Finally, moisturize your skin by drinking plenty of water and applying plenty of lotion.

Even if you’re determined to go barefoot, it’s a good idea to have a stock of cute beach shoes.  You’re sure to turn heads with any of the Shoefly kicks I’ve included here. Now get out there and have fun!

Top photo by Raveme.