After a full winter of wearing boots, trudging around in the snow, dry feet from the cold, and possibly discolored toenails from constantly wearing closed shoes and socks, you want your feet to look and feel their best for springtime. Follow some of these tips and tricks to ensure your feet are ready to bring on the warm weather!
Foot Soak
A foot soak can work wonders for your skin, especially if you have an excess of dead foot skin or your feet feel sore. Fill up your bathtub or a bucket with warm water and put in your favorite oil, herbal soak, or Epsom salt product. Let your feet soak for about 10 minutes then dry them off with a clean towel.
Foot File
It’s not uncommon to have a buildup of dead skin after the winter, and a foot soak may be enjoyable but just might not get all of the dead skin off. You can use a foot file or pumice stone to remove the thickened skin from the ball, side, and heel of your foot. This can also help get rid of mild corns and calluses.
It’s most beneficial to do this after doing a foot soak because your skin will be malleable and come off easily so you won’t accidentally cut or scratch your foot.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Hydration is ultra important for healthy feet, especially after cold weather. Use emollient-rich lotion to massage your feet. The lotion will hydrate you while the massage will boost circulation. Remember to ensure there’s no lotion left between your toes that wasn’t rubbed in, as that excess can cause athlete’s foot.
Cut Your Toenails
It’s important to cut your toenails straight across without rounding the corners, or else you’re at risk of ingrown toenails, which can be a painful nuisance. If you do develop an ingrown toenail, soak your foot in warm, soapy water and try to gently get the toenail out of the nail bed. Don’t force it if it’s not easy to come out – consult with a podiatrist to get it removed if you’re unsuccessful.
Invest in the Right Footwear
With the weather getting warmer and the sun coming out more, you’re going to want to spend more time outside and your feet will get more of a workout than before. Because of this, it’s important to ensure that you have the right footwear to prevent foot pain, which could even lead to plantar fasciitis. The right pair of shoes can also prevent ankle injuries, ankle sprains, and other foot injuries, especially if you play sports.
Make sure your shoes have arch support and are not too tight or too loose, and consult with your podiatrist about getting custom orthotics if you’re experiencing additional foot pain, heel pain, or back pain.
Contact Us Today for Quality Foot and Ankle Care
The best way to ensure your feet are spring-ready is to schedule an appointment with our foot and ankle specialists. Our experienced podiatrists can help resolve foot and ankle issues of all sorts. Our dedicated staff would love to help you set up an appointment so you can put your best foot forward this spring and year-round.
For the best foot and ankle doctor in the area, contact Mitchell Foot & Ankle today!