Feel Good Tips for Your Feet

Your feet deserve a little TLC! You take thousand of steps every day, often in too high or too tight shoes. To overcome the agony of sore feet, try these feel-good tips.
 

• Don't ignore foot pain. It's not normal. If the pain persists, contact our office at 817-481-4000.
  
   
• Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus) and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate Athlete's foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.
  
   
• Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely. Soothe by soaking your feet for at least 5 minutes. Gently remove rough skin from your feet with a foot file or pumice stone. Diabetics should avoid extreme water temperatures.
  
   
• For soft feet, apply moisturizer daily. For dry feet, call our office to purchase a product that contains glycerin. To remove dead skin we also have a urea-based moisturizer on hand.
  
   
• Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should not treat their own feet. They are more prone to infection and they need to call our office before attempting treatment.
  
   
• Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn-out shoes as soon as possible. Wear sandals or shoes that breathe (such as leather or canvas) to help prevent fungus infection. These types of footwear inhibit mold growth and promote air circulation. Select and wear the right shoes for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e. running shoes for running). Limit the hours you wear anything with a 2-inch heel or higher. Over time, these shoes can create several problems, from joint pain in the ball of your foot (metatarsalgia) to calluses.
  
   
• Avoid walking barefooted. Your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals always use sunblock on your feet as the rest of your body.
  
   
• Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments. Self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
  
   
• If you are a diabetic, contact our office at least once a year for a check-up.
  
   
• Stinky Shoes - try stuffing your shoes with newspaper and let sit overnight. The paper absorbs the odors.