Natural Home Care for Foot Problems

According to the Mayo Clinic, your feet have 25 percent of your body's bones, along with numerous tendons, joints, muscles and ligaments. They also takes the brunt of abuse in walking, running and shoe-wear. It's no wonder that your feet can be afflicted with a variety of problems. Many of these can be treated with natural home remedies.

Diagnose Your Problems

The Mayo Clinic states that women are more susceptible to foot problems than men. High heels, age and improperly fitted shoes are the top causes of blisters, bunions, corns and calluses. Long-term use of high heals can also lead to permanent tendon damage in the foot.

Blisters are very common with new shoes or develop after days where you spend an extreme amount of time on your feet. Friction creates blisters, which may have a fluid-filled bump in the afflicted area. A bunion is a big toe that leans toward the second toe resulting from misalignment of the joint. Corns and calluses are very similar where the skin becomes thick and hardened -- often in an area where blisters have healed or there is constant friction. Ingrown toenails can develop when toenails are not clipped straight. The edges of the toenail becomes red and tender with swelling as the toenail grows inward. Hammertoe is a condition where the toe is curled under like a claw.

You may have heel pain if you tear the plantar fascia along the bottom of the foot. Achilles tendinitis is a chronic condition in which the tendon connecting the foot to the calf through via the ankle becomes worn.

Home Remedies

One of the first things you can to to reduce pain from these common foot problems is to take a good look at the shoes you wear, especially those you wear most often. Shoes that are too tight are more likely to aggravate corns, bunion pain and increase blister formation. You want to make sure that shoes fit properly and have level soles. Soles that are worn down should be replaced to make sure your gait is not thrown off-balance. For women who are on their feet all day, it is best to keep heel height as low as possible to reduce the stress on your feet.

You can often help reduce pain from these conditions with a warm Epsom salts bath, soaking your feet for 20 minutes. A foot massage can help to ease the pain of fascitis and tendinitis. Stretching your feet by pointing your toes back to you and down to the ground help release tension in the many muscles and tendons in your feet. Putting your feet up will reduce any swelling from these conditions and improve circulation in your feet, bringing nutrients in to help heal conditions. Clip toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.

When to See Your Doctor

If you have a blister or ingrown toenail is infected with yellow pus, have a doctor look at it. Ingrown toenails can be removed by your doctor. Should foot problems persist or worsen, consult your doctor. Excessive swelling and pain may be an indication of a more serious problem than you initially perceived. Your doctor can develop a proper course of action after an examination to help you get back on your feet as soon as possible.