HERE'S HOW TO TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOUR FEET

Better foot care at home can help you improve your overall health.

At-Home Foot Care

OUR FEET WORK HARD FOR us every day, but we may not give them the attention they need until there's a problem. Some of the most common foot problems include:

  • Diabetic neuropathy. This is when a person with diabetes doesn't have sensation in his or her feet because of a nerve problem. That person might get a cut on the foot but not feel it. It could get infected or, in a worst-case scenario, require surgery or amputation.

  • Athlete's foot, which is a type of fungal infection.

  • Plantar fasciitis, which is when an area of tissue called the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. This can happen because of poor footwear or overuse. Heel pain is the hallmark symptom associated with plantar fasciitis.

  • Ingrown toenails, used to describe when the corner or side of a nail (usually on the big toe) turns inward and grows into the skin of the toe. It can cause pain, redness, swelling and sometimes an infection.

  • A bunion, which is a bony bump on the side of the big toe.

  • Warts, which are caused by a type of virus

Why Footcare Is Important for Health

There are many reasons you should monitor your foot health:

Reveals Systemic Problems
Your feet can show early signs of systemic health problems. Poor circulation and hardening of the arteries can affect the feet before other parts of the body, says Dr. James R. Hanna, a podiatrist in Lockport, New York, and president of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association. For example, hardening of the arteries can cause pain in the feet or legs when exercising.

foot pain, diabetes, skin conditions, toenail conditionsJames R. Hanna DPM, PC