5 Steps to Healthier Feet
/When you’re experiencing pain in your feet or have a traumatic injury like an ankle sprain, you know to call one of the podiatrists at Texas Foot Specialists, Dr. Gregory Magnum or Dr. Bruce Miller, to get it checked out. Other foot issues, however, come on more gradually and may not be noticeable at first unless you’re paying attention to your feet. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of checking your feet regularly.
Here are a few simple steps that will take under 10 minutes but can go a long way to preventing foot problems or, at the very least, detecting them early:
- Start by washing your feet in warm water and a mild soap. Dry thoroughly (especially between the toes) and apply a moisturizer to your feet.
- As you clean your feet, look them over for any unusual lumps, bruises, skin discoloration rashes or blisters. Be sure to check the bottoms and sides of your feet and between your toes.
- Stand with both feet together and check to see if you notice any change in size or shape or any changes in the position of your toes.
- Using the eraser end of a pencil, go over your whole foot and notice if you have decreased sensation in any area of your foot or heel. Diabetes and other diseases that affect circulation can cause neuropathy or nerve damage in the feet.
- Lastly, check your toenails. Make sure they are cut straight across with no curved edges to prevent ingrown toenails and note if there are any color changes, brittleness or flaking of the nails which may indicate a fungal nail infection.
Being familiar with your feet will help you notice any unusual changes right away. If you see anything suspicious or you notice any stiffness or discomfort in your feet, contact our Houston, Pasadena or Sugarland office for an appointment today.