The majority of foot complaints can be avoided by practising good hygiene and using common sense. Existing foot problems can usually be resolved with non-invasive medical care if addressed in their initial stages. A Findlay podiatrist offers the following tips for preventing foot and ankle injuries and diseases.
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.
Reserve glamorous fashion footwear for special occasions. Narrow shoes with high heels and pointed toes are a common cause of blisters, calluses, metatarsalgia and bunions. Drinking and dancing in heels over two inches high greatly increases the risk of ankle injuries. When going out in trendy stilettos, bring along a pair of comfortable flats.
Trim your toenails straight across. Cut the top evenly with a nail clipper, leaving some white nail visible above the bed. Trimming down the sides can lead to ingrown toenails. Cutting toenails too short can make them more vulnerable to fungal infections. Anyone with poor circulation or diabetes should have their toenails cut by a trained health care professional.
Regularly check your feet for any abnormalities. A fungal infection called onychomycosis leads to thickening, discoloring and splitting of the toenails. Athlete's foot produces moist, peeling skin between the toes or dry, flaky skin on the soles. Bunions and corns appear as red swollen lumps on the sides of the feet or tops of the toes.
The Findlay podiatrist encourages people to seek medical attention at the first sign of an injury, infection or abnormality affecting the foot or ankle. Home remedies for foot disorders are not usually effective and may even exacerbate the problem. Minor issues often become more serious if appropriate care is delayed.
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.
Reserve glamorous fashion footwear for special occasions. Narrow shoes with high heels and pointed toes are a common cause of blisters, calluses, metatarsalgia and bunions. Drinking and dancing in heels over two inches high greatly increases the risk of ankle injuries. When going out in trendy stilettos, bring along a pair of comfortable flats.
Trim your toenails straight across. Cut the top evenly with a nail clipper, leaving some white nail visible above the bed. Trimming down the sides can lead to ingrown toenails. Cutting toenails too short can make them more vulnerable to fungal infections. Anyone with poor circulation or diabetes should have their toenails cut by a trained health care professional.
Regularly check your feet for any abnormalities. A fungal infection called onychomycosis leads to thickening, discoloring and splitting of the toenails. Athlete's foot produces moist, peeling skin between the toes or dry, flaky skin on the soles. Bunions and corns appear as red swollen lumps on the sides of the feet or tops of the toes.
The Findlay podiatrist encourages people to seek medical attention at the first sign of an injury, infection or abnormality affecting the foot or ankle. Home remedies for foot disorders are not usually effective and may even exacerbate the problem. Minor issues often become more serious if appropriate care is delayed.
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