Foot care is something that is important to your overall well-being and is something that is often overlooked. There are some basic guidelines you can follow in order to keep your feet healthy and feeling good.

1. Don’t ignore unusual pain. If you are feeling a  pain in your foot, it’s important you investigate it. See your podiatrist. They can help identify the source and develop a treatment plan to make sure that your feet are healthy.

2. Inspect your feet regularly. It’s easy to ignore irregularities around your feet, which is why it’s important to keep an eye on them. It’s important to be sure that there aren’t any drastic changes in color or temperature, and to make sure that your toenails aren’t too thick or discolored and that you dont have a rash.  Also be sure to pay attention to cracks or cuts in the skin, and to make sure that there aren’t any growths on your feet.

3. Keep proper foot hygiene. It’s important to wash your feet regularly, even between the toes, The soap does not just get down there on its own! Make sure that your feet totally dry before putting on socks and shoes, especially between your toes. It’s also important to regularly trim toenails. Be careful to only trim nails straight across and not into the sides or corners to avoid ingrown toenails. If you are a person with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems, be sure to go to your podiatrist when trimming toenails in order to avoid infection.

4. Get proper fitting shoes. When purchasing shoes, try to go later in the day when your feet are at their largest and make sure to replace worn out shoes. Make sure that the shoes you pick are the correct shoe for whatever activities you are engaging in. Also, it’s important to not wear the same pair of shoes or socks multiple days in a row.

5. Avoid walking barefoot. When walking around barefoot, your feet are more prone to injury.

6. Don’t forget your feet! When wearing sandals, it’s very important to apply sunscreen to your feet as well as the rest of your body!

Following these guidelines will help keep your feet happy and healthy, and in turn help your overall well-being!

Sincerely,

Advanced Foot & Ankle

972.542.2155