5 Ways to Improve Foot Health this Year
At NY Foot Health, one of our goals is helping patients learn how to be proactive about the care of their feet. In honor of New Year’s, we’d like to offer these tips for taking better care of your feet in 2020.
Commit to a regular exercise program. This may already be on your list of New Year’s resolutions as getting fit is something many people resolve to do come January 1st. But did you know that being in shape helps your feet too? Exercise helps you attain or keep a healthy weight. Carrying excess pounds is a risk factor for many foot disorders. Exercise also helps improve circulation and can reduce the risk for arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and other diseases that can harm your feet.
Conduct a shoe inventory. Go through your closet and toss shoes that are worn out or worn down. Holes, lack of arch support or stretched out heels can cause injury and foot and heel pain. Let go of spiky heels and you’ll greatly reduce your risk of ankle sprains. Also toss styles with narrow, cramped toe boxes. These exacerbate toe deformities such as bunions and hammertoes.
Reduce your risk of fungal infections. There are a number of simple ways to protect your feet. Always wear shoes in public places like gyms and nail salons. Keep feet dry. If you tend to sweat profusely, use a talcum or anti-fungal powder on your feet and keep an extra pair of socks in your desk draw to switch into when feet are damp.
Practice good foot hygiene. Wash your feet every day with soap and warm water. Dry completely.
Schedule a checkup with your podiatrist. Get any foot or ankle discomfort evaluated promptly. Don’t have a podiatrist? You can find a podiatrist in your community with our online directory.
To learn more ways to keep feet healthy, contact us today.