Submitted by Melissa J. Lockwood, DPM, Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates, P.C.
If you’re like most people, you take 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Here are 12 more steps you can take to keep your feet in good shape, especially during the warmer months:
- Sunny days and warm nights may encourage wearing flip-flops, but it’s a good idea to get the kind made of high-quality, soft leather to minimize the potential for blisters. Make sure your foot doesn’t hang over the edge and beware of irritation where the toe thong fits. It can lead to blisters and infections. Don’t wear flip-flops to play sports, do yard work, or walk long distances.
- Be sure to apply a waterproof sunscreen every time you wear sandals outdoors. And, if you are at the beach or pool don’t forget the bottom of your feet!
- Be careful of sharp shells or objects buried in the sand or lake bottom. It is a good idea to wear shoes especially designed for water activity to protect the bottom of your feet. This is especially true for children.
- Pampering and grooming your feet promotes good foot hygiene and should be done frequently to contribute not only to your foot health in warmer weather but also to your body’s overall health.
- Use a foot file or pumice stone to gently smooth the skin around the heel and the balls and sides of your feet. Never cut or shave calluses or rough skin.
- Gently push back cuticles with a cuticle pusher or manicure stick. Cuticles provide a protective barrier against infection and should never be cut.
- To prevent fungal infections and viruses that cause warts, wash your feet daily with soap and water, drying carefully especially between the toes.
- Change your shoes regularly.
- Avoid walking barefoot, particularly in public showers and locker rooms. Bare feet are exposed to plantar warts and athlete’s foot.
- To prevent hot, sweaty feet and foot odor, rub cornstarch or roll-on antiperspirant directly on the soles of your feet.
- Use a nail clipper to cut toenails straight across. Then, use an emery board to smooth the nail edges by filing in one direction without drastically rounding the edges. When toenail edges are rounded, it increases the chances for painful ingrown toenails.
- Consult a podiatrist if you have any foot pain or other problems affecting your feet. Like many other medical conditions, addressing problems sooner rather than later will usually keep a small problem from becoming a big one.
For more information on any foot or ankle issue, contact Dr. Melissa Lockwood at Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates, P.C. at 309-661-9975 or www.heartlandfootandankle.com.
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