Most foot complaints can be prevented with good hygiene and common sense. Foot problems caught in their early stages can usually be resolved with painless, non-invasive medical care. A Findlay podiatrist offers the following advice for maintaining foot and ankle health.
Wear shoes fit for purpose. Before engaging in any new sport or physical activity, invest in appropriate protective footwear. Hiking through rough terrain in running shoes or taking long walks in thin beach sandals can increase your risk for injuries such as sprained ankles, plantar fasciitis and tendonitis.
Don't wear glamorous high-fashion shoes on a daily basis. Footwear with heels above two inches, narrow soles and pointed toes can cause metatarsalgia, bunions, blisters and calluses. Stylish shoes frequently contribute to ankle injuries, especially those incurred after drinking and dancing. If you go out on the town in stilettos, take along a spare pair of comfortable flats.
Trim toenails straight across with a nail clipper. To avoid ingrown toenails, do not attempt to round them by cutting down the sides. Be careful not to cut nails too short. If you break the skin of the nail bed, a fungal infection could set in. People with diabetes or poor circulation should have their toenails trimmed by a health care professional.
Regularly check your feet for early signs of disease. A fungal infection called onychomycosis causes the toenails to discolor, thicken and split or crumble. Athlete's foot leads to scaly, flaking skin on the soles and peeling or cracked areas between the toes. Corns and bunions begin as swollen red lumps.
The Findlay podiatrist recommends that people with foot or ankle problems seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity. Home remedies are rarely successful and could even exacerbate the condition. Seemingly minor injuries or infections can progress into serious foot disorders.
Wear shoes fit for purpose. Before engaging in any new sport or physical activity, invest in appropriate protective footwear. Hiking through rough terrain in running shoes or taking long walks in thin beach sandals can increase your risk for injuries such as sprained ankles, plantar fasciitis and tendonitis.
Don't wear glamorous high-fashion shoes on a daily basis. Footwear with heels above two inches, narrow soles and pointed toes can cause metatarsalgia, bunions, blisters and calluses. Stylish shoes frequently contribute to ankle injuries, especially those incurred after drinking and dancing. If you go out on the town in stilettos, take along a spare pair of comfortable flats.
Trim toenails straight across with a nail clipper. To avoid ingrown toenails, do not attempt to round them by cutting down the sides. Be careful not to cut nails too short. If you break the skin of the nail bed, a fungal infection could set in. People with diabetes or poor circulation should have their toenails trimmed by a health care professional.
Regularly check your feet for early signs of disease. A fungal infection called onychomycosis causes the toenails to discolor, thicken and split or crumble. Athlete's foot leads to scaly, flaking skin on the soles and peeling or cracked areas between the toes. Corns and bunions begin as swollen red lumps.
The Findlay podiatrist recommends that people with foot or ankle problems seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity. Home remedies are rarely successful and could even exacerbate the condition. Seemingly minor injuries or infections can progress into serious foot disorders.
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