3 Tips for Maintaining Healthy Feet

Last updated 9 months ago

When it comes to proper foot care, taking preventative measures can help avoid painful problems down the road. Foot conditions like corns, bunions, and ingrown toenails are often caused by ignoring aches and neglecting pains—habits that are just as bothersome as they can be dangerous. To keep your toes in tip-top shape, consider the following advice to maintain healthy, pain-free feet.

1. Choose the Right Shoe

Not only does improperly fitting footwear cause discomfort, but uncomfortable shoes can cause corns and bunions—problems that may require foot surgery in the future. When shopping for shoes, avoid basing your purchase on price or style alone. To determine your proper shoe size, shop in the afternoon—feet swell throughout the day—and wear socks of the same weight and thickness that you typically would. Re-lace the shoes from the bottom up and walk a quick lap around the store. You should be able to easily wiggle your toes and your heels shouldn't slide out of place as you walk. Above all else, aim for proper foot support and overall comfort.

2. Maintain Proper Foot Hygiene

Trim your nails straight across: cutting into the corner can cause ingrown toenails. Thoroughly scrub your feet when you bathe—use a pumice stone to help smooth especially problematic areas—and apply moisturizer daily to prevent dry skin and cracking. To avoid conditions like athlete's foot, wear flip-flops in bacteria-prone public areas like swimming pools and locker rooms.

3. See a Doctor

Don't ignore aches and pains. Foot problems including tenderness, chronic swelling, or discoloration should be evaluated by a qualified podiatrist as soon as possible in order to prevent minor problems from becoming major medical emergencies.

If you've been experiencing problematic foot issues, don't allow your condition to worsen. At All South Bay Footcare, we're dedicated to providing a state-of-the-art approach to foot surgery for our Los Angeles patients. From bunion surgery to corn removal, our skilled staff is eager to bring you a sense of comfort. Call us at (310) 986-2925 and schedule your free consultation today.