Morristown, New Jersey, (December 2006) – When athletes, professional or recreational, think of foot care, they are likely to first envision techno-fied shoes, cushy socks, tape or other things that cover the foot. It is so easy to take for granted the pure, naked foot itself. Without taking care of your feet on a more basic level, keeping the skin cell layers smooth and properly hydrated, they can become compromised and prevent you from performing optimally. This is especially true for any athlete – runners, dancers, ball players – that subject their feet to hours of rigorous training and performance. The skin is the largest organ of the body and provides protection from external elements such as bacteria while regulating the amount of water in the body thus keeping cells healthy. The skin on the feet can build a hard, thick layer or patches that unchecked can actually tear away exposing raw skin underneath. Excessive dryness can lead to cracks or fissures. Both increase the potential for injury and infection, which will keep you from the activities you love.
Ron Culp, head athletic trainer for the Miami Heat, has over 35 years experience in professional sports and is a founding member of the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA). He is continuously surprised at how little players think little about foot care until a problem arises. “Their feet are their careers! I once had a young player have the entire ball of his foot tear off in the middle of a game because of the incredible build up of hard, callused skin. He couldn’t play because of that!” says Mr. Culp. In order to control the build up of hard thick skin and to protect his players’ feet, Mr. Culp has been using the effective dual action formula of Kerasal Exfoliating Moisturizer on three-quarters of the team over the last 6 or 7 years. Kerasal is a line of therapeutic foot care products that got its start in the podiatrists’ office. Athletes following a holistic performance regimen need to remember to include foot care at its simplest and purest form – caring for the skin on your feet.
To protect your soles, no matter what your sport, follow these 5 tips from Kerasal and Mr. Ron Culp.
1. Wash your feet in warm water and mild cleansers.
High water temps may feel good on tired muscles but use restraint. Hot water and soap washes off the surface layer of natural skin oils, drying out skin cells.
2. Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize!
Use a high quality moisturizer as often as needed to rehydrate battered skin cells and help retain the moisture from deep down. Using a dual action product like Kerasal Exfoliating Moisturizer allows you to combine tips 2 & 3 of hydrating and controlling thick, rough skin into one convenient step. Wearing cotton socks overnight after applying a good moisturizer will speed softening.
3. Exfoliate rough, flaky, scaly skin cells and calluses.
The build up of dead skin cells results in the thick, rough skin, especially around the heels or calluses at points of friction. Use an exfoliator to control the amount of build up. Do not use razors or other sharp devices which could cause injury.
4. Be sure the skin between your toes is clean and dry.
Heavy sweating in shoes and socks or crowded locker rooms can put the area between the toes at risk to fungal infections unless kept clean and free from excess moisture.
5. Wear the right shoes for the sport and makes sure it fits.
Poorly fitting shoes will undo the efforts you are making to soften and protect your feet. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet are at their largest. Select shoes appropriate for the activity such as running shoes for running.
Suggested retail price for Kerasal® Exfoliating Moisturizer (1/2oz ointment) and Exfoliating Pumice-Paste™ (2.5oz jar) is $5.99. Suggested retail price for larger sizes of Kerasal (1oz ointment, 1.5oz cream, 4oz lotion) is $9.99. Kerasal® products are sold in the Foot Care section of drug, food and mass merchandise stores nationwide.