These Feet Were Made for Success
What do Harriet Tubman, Sandra Day O’Connor, Rosa Parks, and Susan B. Anthony all have in common? They’re women we’re celebrating during Women’s History Month. At NY Foot Health, we want to help all our female patients achieve their dreams, and we know this means having healthy feet to take you where you want to go. Below are some podiatric health tips for women.
Create a healthy plate. Your food choices can positively impact the health of your feet and the rest of your body. Women need to get plenty of calcium throughout their lives to build strong bones—about a quarter of which reside in your feet! Lots of fruits and vegetables will provide antioxidants and help fight inflammation. They are also part of a lean diet that helps maintain an appropriate weight—something that’s key to avoiding foot pain from flat feet, sesamoiditis, and arthritis.
Swear off harmful shoe styles. It may be a tough one for many women, but those high, spiky heels and narrow toe boxes are unstable and can result in a sprained ankle. In addition, the pressure on the toes encourages bunions, hammertoes, claw toes, and other deformities. Look for other stylish, less painful options.
Protect your feet from fungal infections. If you wear pantyhose or constricting socks frequently, you may be creating an environment where athlete’s foot and fungal toenails thrive. Fungi love sweaty, warm places. Another source of infection can be lurking at the nail salon. If you enjoy professional pedicures, be sure the place you go to follows proper sanitizing techniques for foot baths and pedicure tools.
Fight against heel fissures. If you’re nearing menopause, decreasing estrogen levels can lead to dry skin due to your body’s inability to retain moisture. When dry skin builds up on the heel, it can crack and bleed or thicken and form calluses. In addition to being unsightly, calluses can also be a source of foot pain. Start by applying a thick moisturizer that contains cocoa butter or every morning and evening. Soak your feet once a week for 10-15 minutes in warm, soapy water, and then gently slough off skin with a pumice stone or foot file—no sharp instruments or bathroom surgery! The lotion will absorb better as the callus decreases.
Don’t let foot problems keep you from reaching your goals! Get podiatric conditions treated promptly by your foot doctor. If you need help finding a podiatrist, you can use our online directory. To learn more about maintaining good foot health, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.