April is national foot health awareness month and we are here to give you tips on how to have healthy feet from our foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Andronica Handie!
When was the last time you inspected your feet?
It is vital to inspect your feet often for blisters, redness, small cuts or cracked skin. If you have diabetes, check your feet daily to ensure your feet are in optimal shape. If you are unable to see the bottom of your feet, place a handheld mirror on the ground and look at the reflection to look for any potential or current issues.
Always wear shoes in public places where there's a possibility that your feet can be cut or exposed to an infection. A cut or even a minor scratch could lead to a serious infection, athlete's foot or plantar warts.
If you paint your toenails often, take breaks in between polishes to avoid the potential of toenail fungus.
After showering, bathing or swimming, ensure that your feet and in between your toes are thoroughly dry to reduce the risk of a fungal infection.
Moisturize your feet daily to prevent dryness and cracks.
Replace your tennis shoes every six months (or 500 miles for our workout enthusiasts) to avoid heel and foot pain from worn-out shoes.
When replacing your shoes, have your feet measured in case they have experienced any changes or growth.
Look for shoes that have good arch support, a low heel and a wide toe box. For those who need a little bit of extra support, make an appointment with Dr. Handie to discuss custom orthotic inserts.
Stretch out your lower legs, ankles and feet before any activity to prevent injury.
To avoid extra pressure on your feet and joints, maintain a healthy weight.
When outdoors, apply sunscreen to your entire body (including your ankles, feet and in between toes) to avoid a painful sunburn and to prevent skin cancer.
If you experience any foot, ankle or toe pain, don't suffer from it! Make an appointment with our foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Handie today to receive a treatment plan.
You can request an appointment on our website or call us at (918) 994-4000.
Attentive timely care and services with professional knowledgeable staff