Running and staying active are healthy choices for your body and mind. The health of your feet is very important if you want to stay active. Your podiatrist can help you maintain healthy feet, so you can keep doing activities you enjoy.
What You Need To Know About Taking Care of Your Feet
To take great care of your feet, you need to:
- Wash and dry your feet every day
- Check your feet daily, looking for blisters and cuts
- Apply antibiotic cream to any open injuries
- Bandage the injury
Now that you know the basics of taking care of your feet, let’s look at proper footwear to keep your feet protected while you are active. Let’s start with:
Your socks should cushion your feet. Custom running socks are an excellent choice. You want socks with padding on the heels and balls of the feet. Avoid socks with toe seams because the seams can rub and irritate your feet.
Your shoes, which should be appropriate to the activity you are doing. You should choose shoes with:
- Flat, non-skid soles
- Good heel support
- Enough toe room
- A cushioned arch for support
Remember to check your shoes often and replace them when they are worn out. Wearing old shoes can cause foot, ankle, knee, leg, hip, and back pain.
When you are active, you will also sweat, so you need to be vigilant about athlete’s foot and toe fungus. Fungi thrive in moist, warm, areas, like sweaty socks, public pools, showers, locker rooms, and gymnasiums, so you need to:
- Always wear at least flip-flops in public areas
- Change your socks often, and avoid wearing sweaty socks
- Apply antifungal powder to your feet before and after exercise
To keep your feet flexible, remember to stretch before and after exercise. Stretch your Achilles tendon, your arches, and each of your toes individually. Rotate your ankles to lessen stiffness.
Want to Know More?
To find out more tips about taking care of your feet if you are a runner or active person, call your podiatrist today.