Keeping your feet healthy is essential to living a happy and active lifestyle. Often times, we neglect our feet or fail to notice signs that our feet are not as healthy as they should be. In order to prevent any unnecessary foot pains and issues, here are some ways to ensure you are keeping your feet healthy:
Practice good hygiene. While this an obvious tip, it is critical to ensure you are doing it consistently. Washing your feet with soap and water, and thoroughly drying them after, play an important role in preventing fungal infections.
Protect your feet. This is especially true when walking in public places, such as the gym or at swimming pools. Public places are the breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which you can contract by not properly covering your feet.
Wear appropriate footwear. Shoes that do not fit properly can cause a variety of foot problems. From calluses, to hammertoes, to ingrown toenails, inappropriate footwear can leave you with long-term foot issues.
Examine your feet regularly. Be sure to check on your feet’s health weekly in order to determine if you may have an issue that needs to be addressed. Look for scaling or peeling, discoloration of the nails, and for foot sores or calluses. By catching these issues early, the more likely you can clear them up sooner.
See a podiatrist. It is critical that you avoid trying to self-treat any foot issues you may have. By doing so, you can often make the issue worse, which often results in a more painful experience. Contact your podiatrist if you are experiencing any painful or persistent foot issues.
The Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois specialize in comprehensive foot and ankle care. For more information, or for help with your foot and ankle issues, contact us today.
