We’ve got a great idea for a New Year’s resolution that is good for you and easy to keep. This year, keep your lowly feet in mind and resolve to take good care of them!
Your feet work hard – in fact, if you walk about 7,000 steps each day, that can add up to more than 2 million steps in 2020! Show your feet that you care about them with these simple and economical foot care tips:
First of all, resolve to pay attention to your feet every day! Wash them carefully in warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly. Smooth on a rich foot cream or lotion daily to keep your skin moisturized.
Examine your feet every day too. Look for any damage like a cut, bruise or puncture wound. Check for skin changes too like calluses, corns, athlete’s foot, and toenail fungus. Seek professional help from a foot doctor to deal with what you find.
Review your footwear and toss any that are worn out or too small. Tight, narrow shoes can cause lots of foot problems as well as ingrown toenails. Treat yourself to new well-made shoes with lots of support. Choose breathable materials like leather and linen to keep feet aired. Always shop later in the day when feet are largest and check your shoe size – our feet can grow later in life.
For sports or any workout, wear shoes that are appropriate to your activity. Walking shoes are very different from tennis shoes and running shoes.
If you enjoy pedicures, choose a nail salon with stringent sanitary standards. All tools should be sterilized and come from a new package. Footbaths should be squeaky clean.
For home pedicures, be careful to trim the toenails straight across to avoid infections caused by ingrown toenails.
Always wear flip-flops or shower shoes in public places like spas, pools, showers, and locker rooms to protect your feet from fungi and bacteria.
One more tip and the most important of all – come visit us regularly to have your feet checked. We’ll inspect your feet and ankles and look for any abnormalities and skin problems. Six-month check-ups are especially important for anyone with diabetes so even the most minor foot damage will be caught quickly and treated
professionally.
We wish all our patients and friends a very Happy New Year and all the best in 2020!
Let Us Know If You Have Any Foot or Ankle Pain
If you have any problems with your toenails, or neuropathy or any foot problem like heel pain or plantar fasciitis, discomfort from arthritis, an injury or just from overuse, please call Michele Kurlanski, DPM at Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Kurlanski offers expert and professional podiatry services in Cumberland County, Maine. Please call us today at 207-774-0028 to schedule your appointment in our Scarborough office.
