Learn some foot care tips from your Silver Spring, Clinton, Kensington and Olney podiatrists.
Your feet take you where you need to go, hold you up when you're exhausted and play a pivotal role in those vacation-at-the-beach selfies. If you don't take good care of them, they won't be able to handle the demands you place on them. Dr. Marc Goldberg, Dr. Michael Frank, Dr. Adam Lowy and Dr. Christopher Farnworth, your Silver Spring, Clinton, Kensington and Olney, MD, podiatrists, share a few important foot care tips.
Choose supportive shoes that fit well
Whether they're too tight or don't offer enough protection, poorly fitting shoes can cause a variety of foot conditions. Wearing tight shoes or high heels can increase your risk of developing bunions or hammertoes.
Flip-flops may be a stylish footwear choice, but they're not good for your feet. Although wearing a pair of flip flops occasionally won't hurt your feet, if you wear them regularly, you may develop tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and even stress fractures. At a minimum, alternate flip flops with shoes that offer adequate arch support.
Foot problems can also occur if you don't replace running shoes often enough. Although the shoes may look as good as new on the outside, the supportive layer inside becomes compressed after you put many miles on them. Replace your running shoes at least every 400 to 500 miles to avoid foot conditions and injuries.
Cut your toenails in a straight line
Painful ingrown toenails can occur if you round your nails instead of cutting them in a straight line. For easier cutting, use clippers or nail scissors after a bath or shower when your nails are softer. If you can't free the trapped nail yourself, call your podiatrist.
Bring your own tools to pedicure appointments
You've probably read news stories about the nasty infections that can occur if pedicure tools aren't disinfected promptly. Reduce your risk of infection by bringing your own tools with you to your next pedicure appointment.
Perform a daily foot examination if you have diabetes
High blood glucose levels can interfere with healing, making it harder for people who have diabetes to fight infections. Daily examinations can help you spot red marks, blisters and sores. Treating those problems promptly will help prevent infections.
Examinations are particularly important if you have nerve damage and have lost feeling in your feet. If you can't feel pain and don't take a look at your feet every day, an infection will have plenty of time to worsen and threaten the health of your foot or leg.
Are you concerned about a foot issue? Call Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland in Silver Spring, Clinton, Kensington and Olney, MD, to schedule an appointment.