Faith Farm

Foot Care on the Farm

The importance of foot care is often overlooked in our busy lives.  I know that when we started this homestead I was unaware that this change in lifestyle had a huge affect on my feet.  I was not used to constant exposure of outdoor work, moisture, cold and heat.  I was not aware of the difference in foot care that these elements would require.  It did not take me long to realize that my closet full of dress shoes and sneakers was of little use in the mud and muck.  One of the first things you can do for your feet is to wear the right shoe/boot for the job.  Now, before you go purchase an expensive pair of "work boots" you really need to give some thought as to what you are going to be doing in them.  I ended up with 2 pairs of boots-one that use mainly in the cold-that is waterproof and insulated and another pair that is a leather lace up work boot for general work.  I work in the yard in the summer in my sneakers.  Now as a rule I am generally cheap-I don't like to spend alot of money on personal items..(there is usually alot of other places I would rather the money go), but when it came to purchasing the right equipment for my feet, I didn't hesitate to pay for the right one.  I don't like to promo items but in this case I will say that the best all around boot I have found is called the Muck Boot-it is made by the Muck company.  This pair of boots has made 100% difference in protecting my feet.  Too expensive -- but in this case I got what I paid for and I do not regret spending the money---very tough and comfortable boot.  My leather lace up boots are just as important but there are so many choices out there that no one boot in this catagory has stood out to me.  Here are some tips for foot care that you might find helpful:

• Get properly fitting boots. If the boots are too tight, blisters will form. If the boots are too large, the foot will move inside the boot and will rub against the inside. Your boot should not fit snuggly, but rather you should have about a thumbs width of space between your big toe and the boot tip.
• Wear good quality socks and change them often. Even the friction of a sock can cause a blister to form. Wet socks may cause damage to the skin on your feet and increase the risk of getting a blister.
• Always apply a foot powder when you put on clean socks. Foot powder will absorb the dampness on you feet and help keep them dry.
• Make sure your feet are in good shape before you ever use your boots. Keep the toenails trimmed, remove calluses, and smooth any rough spots on the foot.
• Some folks even apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to their feet to reduce the amount of friction that can occur while working long hours.

 Here are some tips for getting a proper shoe fit:

• The size of your feet changes as you grow older so always have your feet measured before buying shoes.
• The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
• Most of us have one foot that is larger than the other, so fit your shoe to your larger foot.
• Do not select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe but by how the shoe fits your foot.
• Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot.
• During the fitting process, make sure there is enough space (3/8" to 1/2") for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up.
• Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
• Do not buy shoes that feel too tight and expect them to stretch to fit.

Here is a recipe for homemade foot powder:

1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup baking soda
Peppermint Essential Oil (approx. 12-14 drops)

Mix well and set aside overnight to dry thoroughly. If there are lumps in the mixture once it’s dry, you can sift. Store in an airtight container.  (empty baby powder containers work great.)

Remember to take a little time to take care of your feet everyday.  I hope this has been helpful>Blessings to you>

Untitled Comment

{ 12:24, Wednesday, January 9, 2008 } { Posted by Jess }

HI
You are so right about footware and care. I have made alot of changes to my footware as well since I began farming. I wear a good pair of steeltoe insulated rubberboots in the winter (i bought at walmart for $40) I find them great for working in the barn as sometimes the sheep dostep on my feet. I wear a good warm boot as casual in the winter and I have a pair of rubberboots I wear in the spring and fall. I also have a pair of duckboots that I wear in the summer as it is to hot for the rubberboots. I have a pair of steeltoe shoe that is like a sneaker that I wear making hay. It really makes life or atleast farming so much eaiser with proper footwear. andthanks for posting the recipe for the foot powder.