Many people have a tendency to neglect their feet until a serious foot or ankle problem has occurred. Your feet and ankles absorb a considerable amount of stress and pressure over the years, and an excellent way to thank them for all the walking, running, climbing, and dancing you have done during your lifetime is to take good care of them so they will continue functioning at their best.
These 4 great tips will help keep your feet happy and healthy
Cleanliness—Clean your feet daily with warm soap and water and dry completely, especially between the toes where moisture collects creating a perfect environment for bacterial and fungal toenail infections to develop.
Daily foot exams—Look for bruises, blisters, and cuts and cracks and treat them promptly with antibiotic ointment and bandages if needed. Inspect your toenails for signs of yellowing and brittleness which may indicate a fungal nail infection. Any foot deformities such as bunions and hammertoes should be evaluated by your foot doctor since early treatment of foot deformities can help lessen their severity in the long run.
Proper toenail trimming—Trim your toenails as straight across as possible, with only a slight curve, and be careful not to cut them too short to help avoid ingrown toenails.
Properly-fitted shoes—Your footwear needs to provide adequate support with plenty of room in the toe box so your toes can move without pressing on your footwear. Be certain that you have the correct arch supports for your foot type. Your foot doctor can perform a computerized gait analysis to check your pronation and to help determine what foot support is best for you as well as whether you can benefit from custom orthotic inserts.
Stay one step ahead of your foot health with regular visits to your foot specialist. Dr. Scott Nelson of Foot and Ankle Medical Clinic in Garland, TX, is a board-certified and highly experienced podiatrist who has helped people suffering from all types of foot and ankle injuries and deformities. From bunions to diabetic foot problems, sports injuries and fungal nails, you can trust that Dr. Nelson and his staff are wholeheartedly devoted to your foot health. Please contact our office with any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment by calling 972-414-9800.
