Tips for Personal Foot Care
Personal foot care is relatively straightforward for the average healthy individual. However, there are certain habits that those with underlying conditions such as a compromised immune system, diabetes, or nerve disorders, can develop to prevent issues with your feet.
DOs of Personal Foot Care
- Wash your feet daily with mild soap, including between the toes.
- Dry your feet and between the toes after each wash.
- Moisturize the feet after drying, but not between the toes, to prevent cracking skin.
- Trim your toenails straight across instead of rounding them.
- Inspect your feet regularly for cuts, signs of infection, dryness, changes in moles or other skin marks, blisters, changes in toenails, and embedded objects.
- Wear shoes that fit properly.
- Wear shoes that are fit for the proper activity. Be mindful when wearing open-toed shoes, sandals, or flip-flops, as they are more likely to cause an accident in an elevator or escalator.
- Maintain your overall health. How we care for our health affects the whole body, including our feet. A balanced diet, moderate exercise, and abstinence from smoking contribute to excellent foot health.
DON’Ts of Personal Foot Care
- Avoid walking around barefoot, as one is more likely to get a cut or infection.
- Do not share shoes with other people; doing so can spread infections. It can also damage one’s feet, as different people have different shoe sizes, shapes, and soles.
- Do not soak your feet in water when you have an open foot, as this can lead to infection. If you do soak your feet and do not have a cut or cracked skin, do not soak them for more than ten to fifteen minutes, two or three times a week.
- Do not ignore chronic foot pain, infections of the feet, or moles and skin marks that change in appearance or bleed. Chronic foot pain is a sign of a problem. Changing skin marks could be a sign of skin cancer, and infections also need professional treatment.
Contact Greenspring Podiatry to Learn More!
Foot and ankle pain, injuries, and other problems are inconvenient and irritating, often causing patients to have trouble walking. Here at Greenspring Podiatry, we understand how critical the feet and ankles are to the body, movement, and participation in daily life. Are you searching for a trusted podiatrist? With Greenspring Podiatry, there is hope for healing. Contact us today or call to start your road to recovery. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
