When it comes to our health, most of us seem to prioritize everything but our feet. I know, talking about feet is the last thing many want to do, but taking care of them is more crucial to your overall well-being than you probably realize.
If you’re someone who runs marathons, someone who works on their feet all day, someone who loves wearing the trendiest heels to the office, or someone who never misses a pedicure appointment, chances are there’s something you’re skipping. Doing too much or doing too much when it comes to your feet. I spoke to some experts, including podiatrists and emergency room doctors, to learn more about common mistakes patients make when it comes to their good feet. This is what they had to say:
MISTAKE #1: Neglecting proper footwear.
“In my experience, one of the most common mistakes I see regarding foot health is neglecting proper footwear. Many patients underestimate the impact of wearing shoes that do not provide adequate support, especially those who are active or on their feet for long periods of time. prolonged periods. Shoes that lack adequate support can lead to a variety of foot problems, including plantar fasciitis, bunions, and even stress fractures,” Dr. Joe Whittington, a board-certified emergency physician, told BuzzFeed.
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“One (one) specific piece of advice I always give is the importance of regularly replacing your sneakers or running shoes. Ideally, you should change them every 300 to 500 miles of use. This is because the support and cushioning degrade over time. time, which can lead to injury,” added Dr. Whittington.
MISTAKE #2: Forgetting that foot size can change over time.
“Feet change slowly over time, including shoe size, especially in women after childbirth. Change shoe size accordingly if shoes are too tight or if friction causes skin injury or redness,” she explained. podiatrist Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS.
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MISTAKE #3: Stop exercising your feet.
“Another mistake is not incorporating foot-specific exercises into your routine. Just like any other part of the body, your feet need to be strengthened and stretched,” Dr. Whittington told BuzzFeed.
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“Regular stretching of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, as well as strengthening exercises for the small muscles of the feet, can significantly improve foot health and prevent injuries,” added Dr. Whittington.
Below are some examples of useful foot exercises and stretches.
MISTAKE #4: Trying to remove your ingrown toenail.
“(Do) This can cause an infection to develop or cause the toenail to lift and damage the nail bed or root. A surgical procedure performed by podiatrists can fix ingrown toenails permanently and help prevent ingrown toenails. development of pain and infection,” Dr. Daughtry recommended.
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MISTAKE #5: Not using supportive insoles in your shoes.
“Additionally, many people overlook the importance of wearing supportive insoles, especially if they have specific foot conditions such as flat feet or high arches. Supportive insoles can make a significant difference by distributing pressure evenly across the entire foot, reducing tension in specific areas,” said Doctor Whittington.
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Dr. Daughtry agrees, adding, “Most shoes do not have enough arch support for the average person, so additional arch support or cushioning may be needed if you are standing or walking for long periods.” hours or distances”.
Plus, arch supports don’t have to make you a lot of money. “Typically, over-the-counter inserts should only cost between $50 and $70,” Dr. Daughtry continued.
He also said that there is no need to spend money buying orthotics in stores and instead, “visit a trained professional if you want a true custom-molded orthotic, in which a mold of your feet is captured without the intervention of the gravity or body weight (without standing on a box or plate to capture the image of your feet), and then the inserts are manufactured in a laboratory to be specific to each individual’s feet.
However, Dr. Daughtry warned to “be careful with excessive cushioning in the sole of the shoe, as it can cause balance problems in people with neuropathy or risk of falls.”
Friendly reminder to always talk to a professional first to find out what’s best for you and your feet.
MISTAKE #6: Not realizing that staying hydrated plays an important role in foot health.
“Hydration and nutrition play a crucial role in foot health that is often overlooked. Staying hydrated helps maintain the health of the connective tissue in your feet, and a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D supports bone health, crucial for preventing stress fractures and osteoporosis,” explained Dr. Whittington.
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MISTAKE #7: Forgetting to moisturize your feet.
Especially in winter, since our feet are mostly hidden between socks and shoes, it’s easy to forget that your feet need a little TLC too. Dr. Daughtry recommends using moisturizer daily and checking your feet daily for blisters, corns, and calluses. There are reportedly no oil glands on the soles of your feet, so that’s one of the reasons your feet get so dry and start to crack.
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MISTAKE #8: Not drying the space between your toes properly after bathing.
Dr. Daughtry advises always making sure to dry between your toes after bathing to prevent athlete’s foot, which is an infection caused by fungi that thrive in hot, dark, and most environments, according to the CDC. . This infection usually appears between the toes although it can affect any part of the foot.
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In general, it is important to be aware of the health of your feet. If you have any problems or concerns regarding your feet, it is best to talk to a professional.