Hydration status manifests on the skin. At FootCare by Nurses, we spend time helping elders understand the importance of hydration, along with personalized strategies to do that. Hydration is not only about how much water you drink. Human bodies need the right combination of fluids and salts to function. Broth soups, lemonade, drinking milk, and eating fruit are great ways to hydrate.
Like your face and hands, your feet need moisture, so the skin can act as the protective and sensory barrier that it is designed to be. Cracks and fissures from suboptimal skin care are painful and can even lead to infection. Older skin needs tender loving care. Research and experience have taught us that natural oils like sesame or coconut oil or anything you can eat, work really well on older feet. There are also low-cost lotions that have simple edible ingredients. The important thing is to assess the efficacy of your lotion choices. Skin on the feet and lower legs should be pain free, soft, smooth, and not feel sticky. Not only is the oil good for your skin, the act of rubbing it into your feet and toes releases tension and allows toes to move more freely, thereby reducing pain, improving sensation and range of motion, and even improving balance.
