People with poor circulation or decreased sensation in the feet, such as diabetic neuropathy, are better off not soaking at all, however.
For individuals with diabetes or poor circulation, soaking the feet can cause the skin to break down, increasing the risk of infection. Those with peripheral arterial disease or diabetes mellitus should avoid foot soaks. Individuals with neuropathy may not feel the water temperature correctly, risking burns.
“Frequent foot soaks can increase moisture, which can lead to a fungal infection like athlete's foot,” Grantham warns. This may be especially risky if you have peripheral artery disease (PAD), which can affect your ability to heal from fungal infections — including those caused by foot soaks.
Prolonged soaking can also open small cracks that may be present in the skin, allowing germs to enter. An Epsom salt foot soak may sound relaxing, but people with diabetes should avoid soaking their feet for long periods or in water that is too hot.
The risks of using an Epsom salt foot soak are minimal. For most people, it may be worth a try. But there are a few instances when it is best to avoid using a foot soak, including when a person has diabetes or has open sores on their feet. Moisturize the feet and put socks on to maintain the moisture.
Epsom salts are the classic staple of a foot soak, aid to help with everything from arthritis to plain old swollen feet. The salts break down into magnesium and sulfate in water, and some believe that these minerals can be soaked in through the skin for the body's benefit.
Yes, it's generally recommended to rinse off after an Epsom salt bath. Here's why and how: Remove residue: Rinsing helps remove any salt residue left on your skin, which could cause dryness or irritation if left on.
Tingling, burning, or pain in your feet. Loss of sense of touch or ability to feel heat or cold very well. A change in the shape of your feet over time. Loss of hair on your toes, feet, and lower legs.
Although soaking the feet has been a traditional approach to foot care treatment, it is of no benefit; in fact, it can lead to maceration and worsening infection.
In warm water (preferably 38°), pour the juice of half a lemon, add 125 ml of milk and two tablespoons of olive oil. Mix it all up and lower your feet in the mixture. This bath will relieve tired feet thanks to the action of the three kitchen staples combined.
Vinegar can protect against bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microbes. Soaking the feet in a vinegar-water solution may help manage odor and infections, though more research is necessary. Vinegar can have a variety of uses, such as in cooking, cleaning, and alternative medicine.
Hydrogen peroxide is easily accessible and inexpensive, making it a popular choice for treating foot fungus. Here are some of its key benefits: Effective Antifungal Properties: Hydrogen peroxide can break down the fungal cells that cause infections. Safe and Easy to Use: When used properly, hydrogen peroxide is safe.
Washing your feet every day.
Don't soak your feet because that can dry out your skin. After you dry your feet, you can use talcum powder or cornstarch between your toes. They soak up moisture that can cause infection. If you use lotion, don't apply it between your toes.
It's important to see a GP if you experience the early symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. These include: pain, tingling or loss of sensation in the feet. loss of balance or weakness.
Prediabetes Symptoms
“Some people with prediabetes may already have nerve damage, which can cause tingling or numbness in the feet and hands,” she notes. If you are at risk for prediabetes, your doctor may test your blood for sugar levels, or a blood sugar test might be part of your regular check-up.
But that doesn't mean abdominal weight gain should be ignored. It can be an early sign of so-called "diabetic belly," a build-up of visceral fat in your abdomen which may be a symptom of type 2 diabetes and can increase your chances of developing other serious medical conditions.
If you decide not to rinse off afterwards, your body may benefit for longer from the purported healing properties of the salt. However, Epsom salts can sometimes have a drying effect, so you may want to have a quick rinse off afterwards, especially if you have dry skin anyway.
Adding a quarter cup of baking soda to a lukewarm bath and soaking for up to 40 minutes may relieve itching, irritation, or infections or just provide a detox. Adding baking soda — also known as sodium bicarbonate — to a bath may help with a range of conditions, such as: eczema.
Do not soak in Epsom salt if you've experienced allergic reactions or infections from it, or if you currently have open wounds or severe burns. Use Epsom salt only as directed. Otherwise, you may experience nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal cramping as a result of having too much magnesium.
Risks and Side Effects of Prolonged Soaking
Most people can do Epsom salt baths and foot soaks without serious side effects. However, healthcare providers advise that people with the following skin problems should avoid using Epsom salt: Open wounds. Skin infections.
There is currently no evidence that bathing in Epsom salt or taking it orally can remove toxins from the body.