Our feet bear the weight of our entire body, allowing us to stand, walk, run and perform a variety of activities. Despite their importance, many people tend to neglect their foot health, leading to common foot injuries and conditions. With proper care and attention, it's possible to prevent these issues and maintain healthy feet.
Mindful choices: In our daily lives, preventing common foot and ankle injuries often comes down to making smart choices. Wearing flip-flops or slippers around the house can lead to foot and ankle injuries due to the minimal grip they provide, especially on uneven surfaces or stairs. Another frequent mishap occurs at night – the pain and possibly injury when your toes or foot collide with objects while walking barefoot. To prevent accidents, wear supportive shoes and keep a pair by your bedside to avoid injury.
Choose the right footwear: Wearing ill-fitting shoes is one of the leading causes of foot problems. Invest in shoes that provide proper support for your arches, have a wide toe box to allow your toes to move comfortably and cushion your heels. Different activities require different types of shoes, so choose footwear tailored to your needs.
Practice good foot hygiene: Keeping your feet clean and dry is important in preventing foot conditions such as fungal infections. Moisturizing your feet can help with foot health along with keeping your toenails short to prevent ingrown toenails.
Quit smoking: Smoking has detrimental effects on overall health and foot health is no exception. One of the major reasons to avoid smoking for your feet is that smoking restricts blood flow and narrows the blood vessels, leading to poor circulation.
Maintain a healthy weight: Carrying excess weight puts extra pressure on your feet, increasing your risk of developing conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Also, losing or gaining weight over a short period of time can affect the feet.
Exercise regularly: Exercise not only benefits your overall health but also helps with blood flow in your feet and strengthens the muscles in your feet and ankles. Incorporate exercises that improve foot flexibility and stability, such as toe stretches, ankle rolls and calf raises. The most important thing when it comes to exercising is wearing the right shoes for your foot type and the activity in which you're participating. If you are unsure about what type of shoe you should be wearing, visit a shoe store to get fitted.
Avoid going barefoot in public places: Walking barefoot in public areas like gyms, locker rooms and swimming pools increases your risk of fungal infections, warts, athlete’s foot and injuries. Always wear flip-flops or slides in public areas to protect your feet.
Listen to your feet: Pain, swelling, numbness or tingling sensations in your feet should not be ignored. These symptoms could indicate an underlying problem that needs attention. If you experience persistent foot discomfort, consult with a healthcare professional for a diagnosis and treatment.
The NorthShore - Endeavor Health team of podiatrists works together to diagnose and treat foot injuries and conditions. To learn more or make an appointment, visit us online or call (630) 646-7000.
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