Spring Foot Care Tips For Healthy Feet and Toes

Spring is finally here and we can get rid of our heavy boots and look forward to wearing open-toed shoes again. Are your feet ready for public viewing, or could they use a bit of help after being cooped up inside heavy winter socks? Most of us could use a bit of pampering before we put our feet on display, and these spring foot care tips for healthy feet and toes will definitely help.

1. Wash your feet every day and make sure that you dry them thoroughly, paying particular attention to the skin between the toes.
2. Remove thickened, dead skin around the balls of the feet, heels, or sides of the feet with a foot file or pumice stone. Never use a razor to try to “trim” off dead skin; it will remove too much skin and may easily cause either an infection or permanent damage to the skin if it is used incorrectly.
3. To remove dry, flaky skin from the sides, tops or soles of the feet, use an exfoliating scrub.
4. Apply moisturizing lotion to your feet after bathing. Massage it into your skin to help prevent the skin from becoming dry and cracked and to increase circulation. Be sure to remove any excess moisturizer from the area in between your toes and around your toenails, since the dampness can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
5. If you find that the skin on your feet is becoming dry despite your best efforts in applying lotion, try wrapping your feet lightly in a piece of cellophane before you go to bed. It will help the lotion penetrate better as you sleep.
6. Toenails should always be clipped with a straight edge toenail clipper. The optimum length is just to the top of each toe. You want to make sure that the nails do not become rounded or curved in the corners. If they do, they may become ingrown, which is a painful foot condition.
7. Inspect your summer shoes and sandals from last year before you wear them. Throw out any that appear too worn. You don’t want to run the risk of hurting your feet if they no longer provide proper support or the straps no longer hold the shoe together properly.
8. If you see any skin or nail conditions that concern you, call Sheldon H. Nadal D.P.M. to schedule an appointment to discuss them. As an experienced podiatrist, he can diagnose and treat your foot and ankle health issues.