Tips for healthy feet
- Walk! This is the best form of exercise for your feet.
- Use ice (cold) to treat an injury. This treatment produces a numbing effect and prevents swelling and pain.
- Seek medical attention at the first sign of an injury or infection in the foot or ankle. Treatments require an investment of time and sometimes include surgery.
- Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash your feet and change socks daily. Dry your feet carefully and use foot powder between your toes.
- Trim your toenails carefully. Use a professional nail clipper and cut straight across. Not too short!
- Don't ignore foot or ankle pain. Contrary to popular belief, foot and ankle pain is not normal.
Shoe tips
- Don't wear athletic shoes for sports other that the ones for which they were intended. One style does not fit all! Don't wear any sport shoe beyond its useful life
- Try shoes on. Manufacturers' sizes differ. Have your foot measured while standing each time you buy shoes
- Fit the larger foot. Everyone has one foot that is bigger than the other
- Allow a thumb's width between the end of your big toe and the tip of the shoe
- Be sure the ball of your foot fits snugly into the widest part of the shoe
Some tips for buying shoes:
- Examine the shoes for quality
- Buy shoes that are comfortable
- Avoid extreme, uncomfortable styles
- Wear leather or fabric shoes
- Buy your shoes in the afternoon
- Investigate "walking pumps." These shoes have an athletic shoe-derived construction, wider toe room, reinforced heels and are available in many fashionable styles
Tips for diabetics
- Look at your feet every day for sores, cuts, bruises and injury
- If you quickly treat any foot problem, you can decrease the risk of future foot ulcers
- If you have problems checking your own feet, have a family member or friend help you
- Keep your blood sugar levels in control to lower your risk of all complications form diabetes
- Avoid going bare foot—even in your own home
- Avoid home remedies. Don't use the liquid corn and callus remover. It has acid in it, which can burn your skin
- See your podiatrist immediately for burns, cuts, frostbite, or any breaks in the skin
