COVID-19 originated in Wuhan city of the Hubei province of China, late in 2019 and since then the pandemic has swept through the rest of the world, resulting in innumerable deaths and considerable human suffering.

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 spreads from human to human through respiratory droplets, via coughing or sneezing. However, the virus is also reported to be active on surfaces from anywhere between a few hours to days.

A combination of different measures and precautions have been put into place to beat the spread of the virus.

One way to prevent the spread of the virus is the simple procedure of self-isolation and social distancing. Another way to prevent transmission is rigorous practices of cleaning and hygiene as we know that disinfectants, such as soap and water destroy the virus.

A recommendation is frequent and vigorous hand washing, using soap and water for a duration of at least 20 seconds. Although the hands are a primary area of contact, the same precautions should be extended to cleansing the rest of the body, particularly the feet. In India, spitting on the road is a nasty habit and unfortunately, the spittle of an infected person can transmit the virus.

Whenever possible, closed shoes should be worn. In case open-toed shoes or sandals are worn, care should be taken to remove the shoes at the entrance to the home and then the feet should be cleaned thoroughly. We provide some foot cleaning tips in the following discussion.

Feet should be washed with soap and lukewarm water, taking care to wash the nooks and crannies of the feet. The feet should be dried thoroughly, especially in between the toes. Nails should be clipped and kept short. Bare feet should be avoided when walking even inside the home, to prevent the development of blisters and cuts.

If wearing closed shoes, it is best to alternate the wearing of two pairs of shoes and spraying the shoes with a sanitizer after a day of use. The alternation in wearing ensures that the shoes dry and air out completely before another wear. Customized Insoles can help to deodorize the shoes.

Always wear fresh cotton socks. Canvas and leather shoes allow the feet to breathe. These are all foot precautions to be used on an everyday basis but can be particularly adhered to during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote foot health, especially for diabetic patients.

The cleaning of the feet can be performed with an over the counter foot hygiene product like Hibiscrub, and anti-bacterial soap. Leave the soap on for a few minutes and then wash with water. The cleaning regimen previously described should be followed twice a day for the best results.

CuraFoot, a leader in Podiatric Care provides a wide range of services including specialized medical pedicures, treatment of foot-related complaints like sores and cuts and also providing medicated insoles. Book an appointment today for Doctor consultations and foot assessments.