Be kind to your feet, but maybe skip the detox pads

When was the last time you gave your feet a close look, using a mirror to check the bottoms? We thought so. The National Institute on Aging recommends, no matter what age you are, checking regularly for blisters, cuts and ingrown toenails along with these feet-friendly tips:

• “Remember to put your feet up when you are sitting down. This helps the circulation in your feet. So can stretching, walking, or having a gentle foot massage.
• Make sure your feet are dry before you put on your shoes.
  
• Wear shoes when you’re outside.
• If you are sitting for a long time, stand up and move around every now and then.
  
• If you cross your legs, reverse or uncross them often.”

The agency also offers handy guidelines for shoppers: “Make sure the shoes fit.”

But here’s something you need not do: Use detox foot pads. Julie Deardorff at the Chicago Tribune’s Julie’s Health Club blog reports on the product’s health claims and legal status.