How long do you soak your feet in epsom salt?

Feet are one of the most neglected areas of our body. They bear our weight and help us move around, yet we tend to ignore them until they start demanding attention. If you’re someone who spends a lot of time on their feet or has some kind of foot injury, then soaking your feet in Epsom salt can be a game-changer. But how long should you soak them for? Is it 10 minutes or 30? Fear not! We’ve got all the answers here.

Benefits of Soaking Your Feet in Epsom Salt

Before delving into when to stop soaking your feet, let’s take a look at why people even bother doing it:

Relaxation: Foot soaks have been used for centuries as stress-relief therapy.
Reducing Inflammation: Magnesium ions present in Epsom salts can reduce inflammation caused by arthritis and other conditions.
Softening Skin: The sulfate minerals from the solution promote skin softness.
Removing Toxins: The salts’ drawbacks toxins such as odor-causing bacteria, sweat residue, and dead skin cells.

So don’t hesitate any longer. Give those tired old dogs a treat with a foot soak!

What Are Epsom Salts?

Epsom salts (not actually salt) were first discovered near epsomite springs situated in Surrey County by an English farmer named Henry Wicker during Elizabethan times [1]. Apparently he noticed that his horses no longer had scratches on their legs after being allowed to drink from these spring wells regularly.

Today’s epsome salt comes mainly from mining caverns where the mineral is retrieved,purified through industrial grade processing methods ,impuities removed which makes it ready-to-use .

Just like sea salt aficionados love sprinkling kosher grains on every dish ,Epsom salt has its own avid followers in the wellness community. Epsom salts contain two vital minerals: magnesium and sulfate [2].

How Do You Soak Your Feet In Epsom Salt?

Don’t be too trigger happy now! There is a method to this soaking madness.

Get a container: Pour enough warm water into the selected washing basin or foot soak machine.
Add 2 cups of epsom salt: It is recommended that for every gallon (4L) of water, you use a half-cup of salts with adjusting measures according to your preference..
Soak for ideal time: This part’s answer will come up soon!
Take out feet when finished : Dry then with towel .

Easy peasy right?

How Long Should You Soak Your Feet In Epsom Salt

Here comes the golden question .We could give you definitive direct times , but remember factors such as soreness,tiredness on that specific day need consideration also- your unique body responses.This said, here are some guidelines:

Guideline #1: Follow The Basic Rules

An easy guideline might suggest trying it out first sitting for ten minutes ft red below knee at least twice/week.If any irritation arises,stops immediately and evaluate what may have caused effected.Frequency can gradually increased upon personal judgement.

Guideline # 2 Factors To Consider

For those needing more guidance than Guidelines#1
Consider these few factors next :

Factor #1: Level Of Stress Or Foot Strain

Working long hours on your feet being sedentary all day unfortunately brings stressors which settle within joints tendons muscle tissues causing arch fatigue even leg cramps Relief does one good.; Consider allowing yourself twenty-thirty minute sessions if deep relaxation tension & strain release seems like what used car salesman refer to as “your cuppa tea”[3].

Factor # 2: Dry Skin Or Noisy Splinters

Dead skin cells are constantly being shed from our feet .All that dancing around in the summer shades thinking “my soles feel rough may need a pedicure”Yep, it’s happening to all of us. Adding some extra time would be wise ie somewhere between fifteen-twenty minutes worth or until you get wrinkly fingers as other forms of exfoliation can occur[4].

If ,however feeling like splurging on something more targeted try using pumice stones-specifically noisey little pesky spots surrounding nails [5].

Guideline #3 Two- week Foot Rehab Program

This one takes things up a notch or gives you an excuse for indulgence :two weeks’ duration but taking your foot hygiene /wellness game up by champ cup level .

Day1-Try out and familiarize first with doing 15-20mins soak twice daily .
(optional)do twenty minute walks immediately after every session
Day2-Increase soaking Time to twenty five mins at both sessions
Day3-Rotate salt with natural essential oils teas eg tea tree oil infused water,lavender oil after two days repeat process.
Day10-Decrease back to just once per day before bedtime
Day14 -Endute10 –minute cool bath Sit legs/knees high &[end]with luxurious foot massage

Who Should Avoid Soaking Their Feet In Epsom Salt?

While Epsom salts have undeniable benefits for most people, there are always special cases:

People who suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes should always consult their doctor since feet-soaking might harm certain extremities.It is advisable they abstain completely.
Pregnant women should also avoid having long term exposure utntil approval given [:allication.]

Otherwise everyone else is good to go!

Conclusion

Whether we want to pamper ourselves regularly or just need occasional stress relief in a foot soak,epsom salt is an affordable easy household staple that provides relaxation ,anti-inflammation and other goodness . Just remember if any feelings of decreased comfort emerge start slowly until you arrive with some precision at the ideal feet soaking duration !

p.s before you buy take note,not recommended for people on low- magnesium diets.Take heed Magnesium levels absorption can arise through skin directly[6].

Happy Soaking!

References
1. Waring RH: Report on Absorption of Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom salts) Across The Skin. School Biological Sciences, University Southampton.
2. Firoz M and Graber M: Bioavailability of US commercial magnesium preparation[J]. Magnes Res1996;9(3):79-89.[medline]
3.Britannica Encyclopedia Online:Foot massage
4.Webster’s Dictionary:fascinating facts about Dead skin cells
5.LiveStrong.com:Pedicure Pumice Stone Safety Tips
6.Gach,W :The Archives Of Dermatology,: Epsom Salts & Asthma Mg Deficiency,C West Virginia University School Of Medicine