Between sports practices, running errands and busy professional lives, Americans often neglect the two extremities that carry them from one task to the next – their feet. Check out these foot care tips to learn the proper way to care for your feet to help prevent more serious problems, ranging from hip, back and knee pain to conditions like athlete’s foot and blisters.
- Clean Your Feet
Intense gym workouts and daily walks can leave your feet dirty and sweaty. That’s why you should wash them in warm, soapy water once or twice per day. The goal is to remove any sweat, dirt or bacteria that can lead to fungal infections. You should also dry your feet thoroughly after each bath, as excess moisture can also lead to conditions like athlete’s foot.
- Use Proper Exfoliation
To keep your feet supple, use an exfoliating scrub, foot scrubber or pumice stone – especially on your heels – a couple times each week. Exfoliants work to remove dead skin, which can lead to corns, calluses and other issues. After exfoliating, always rinse your feet and dry them thoroughly, making sure to get between the toes.
- Cut Your Toenails with Care
Using proper nail clippers, you should trim your toenails every couple of weeks, or as needed, to keep them beautifully healthy and strong. Be careful to always cut straight across, rather than downward, and not to cut your nails too short or too close to the edges, as doing so can create discomfort and ingrown toenails.
- Wear the Right Shoe
Before you settle on a cute pair of pumps or those loose-fitting boat shoes, consider the comfort of your feet. Ill-fitting shoes can cause a number of problems, ranging from painful blisters to collapsed arches to back pain and beyond. Avoid these issues by choosing shoes with a snug, yet comfortable, fit and that don’t pinch or rub as you walk.
Foot Care from Carthage Area Hospital
For treatment of ingrown toenails, corns, hammertoes, warts and other foot-related problems, schedule an appointment at the Carthage Area Hospital Podiatry Clinic by calling 315-493-6949. The clinic is located at 3 Bridge St Suite 5 in Carthage, NY and open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.