This post was written by Ashley M. Bojrab, DPM, FACFAS, ABPM, CWS, PPG – Podiatry.
As the New Year draws near, many of us are reflecting on the past year and considering what we want to work on in the coming months. How can we care for our bodies better? Should we get more sleep? Drink more water? Eat better foods and exercise? While all of these are important, it’s easy to take our feet for granted and leave them off the list. But you can’t count your feet out! They get you from point A to point B, and benefit from attention, too. Here are my tips for caring for your feet for optimal balance and mobility in the year ahead.
Foot care tips
- Clean your feet daily. It’s believed that only about 50% of the population physically bend over in the shower and actively scrub their feet with soap and water. This could be because you are unable to reach your feet or rely on the soak to trickle down to your feet to clean them. I recommend you try using a shower chair to safely reach your feet or use a long-armed scrub brush to help get in between those toes to remove debris. After the shower, it’s important to dry well between the toes.
- Hydrate. Moisturizing with lotion 1-2 minutes after bathing is the most optimal time for the skin to absorb the hydrating lotion. Apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of the feet, but never between the toes.
- Choose the right footwear. There are certain shoes for certain activities. If you know you will be doing a lot of walking, consider wearing a walking shoe instead of flip flops or sandal. Going for a hike? Try a hiking shoe with good tread and possibly a higher top shoe to give your ankle more support.
- Stretch. Stretching the lower extremity helps the tendons and muscles that are used less frequently stay flexible, which prevents injuries.
- Conduct a daily foot check. Whether you have diabetes or not, it’s wise to look at the bottoms of your feet every day. Look for changes such as cuts, open sores, drainage or discoloration. If you can’t see the bottom of the foot, use a mirror to help visualize the area. If anything is questionable, reach out to your podiatrist or care provider.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year!
