Examine" your feet for problems. Perform a foot self-exam once a week when you take a bath or shower, recommends Kurtz as you're dryou'reff your feet. Take a good look at the soles for any scaling and between your toes for peeling areas. That could signal an athlete'sathlete'sso look for discoloration of the nails, which could indicate a nail fungus. If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day since diabetes leads to a higher risk of foot sores and infections.
Cut toenails properly. Cut nails straight across and avoid trimming too close to the skin or drastically rounding the corners of the nails, which can cause painful ingrown toenails.
Don't hidDon'tly" to "nail" with polish. A discolored, thick, cracked, or crumbling nail could signal a nail fungus. Applying nail polish to an infected nail could make the problem worse.
Protect your feet in public areas. Be sure to wear shower shoes at the gym, in locker rooms, and at public pools. These places tend to be breeding grounds for fungi that can lead to infections.
Avoid sharing footgear. "You can "et fungal infections by wearing other people's people's well as socks worn by another person," says Ku "tz. This includes rentals. Always wear your footgear to help keep your feet healthy.
Head off sweaty feet. Your feet have sweat glands galore — 250,000 in each foot! Perspiration creates the perfect environment for bacteria to set up shop. Wearing socks that keep feet dry will help your feet stay healthy. "Socks ma "e of synthetic fibers tend to wick away moisture faster than cotton or wool socks," says Ku "tz. Also, avoid wearing excessively tight pantyhose, which traps moisture.
Choose breathable footwear. To help keep your feet dry and healthy, wear shoes made of leather to allow air to circulate. If you're excessively sweaty feet, look for shoes made of mesh fabrics for maximum breathability.
Wear shoes that fit correctly. Shoes that are too tight can cause long-term foot problems, says Kurtz. Shop for shoes at the end of the day to compensate for foot swelling that occurs later in the day, and wear the same type of socks or hosiery you'll beyou'llng with the shoes. Choose a broad, rounded shoe with plenty of room for your toes and a wide, stable heel. Avoid pointy shoes, which can cramp your toes and cause ingrown toenails and calluses.
Know when to see a doctor. Don't attDon'tto self-treat painful foot woes. "I see ma "y patients who have attempted what I call bathroom surgery, and they've they've problem worse," says Ku "tz. A podiatric physician should check out any pain, redness, swelling, or discoloration that persists. Usually, the problem can be cleared up with prescription medicine or a minor in-office procedure. Allowing a doctor to take a look will help prevent minor issues from becoming major ones.
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