Spring has officially sprung, and it’s time to release your toes from their winter slumber. With sandal season right around the corner, are your feet ready? Before you slip into open-toed shoes, learn how to give your feet a seasonal makeover.
Check Your Feet Daily
Give them a thorough look-over every day. Have trouble seeing the bottoms of your feet? Ask your partner to help, or use a mirror.
Apply Lotion Daily
Apply a thin layer of cream or lotion to the tops and bottoms of your feet daily to keep your skin soft and supple. Don’t put cream between your toes, because the moisture could encourage fungus growth.
Heels get thick skin and painful cracks more in winter than at any other time. Be sure to pumice and exfoliate your heels and calluses regularly. Use a foot file regularly as well…these are great for keeping dry, cracked heels at bay.
Treat Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses are thickened areas of skin on the feet that hurt when they rub up against shoes. Don’t try to cut or burn them off yourself, you could injure your skin and cause an infection. Instead, make an appointment with your podiatrist to take care of these growths.
Properly Cut or Trim Toenails
Trim toenails straight across, and smooth the edges with a file. That way, they can’t grow and cut into your skin. If you have trouble trimming your toenails, ask your foot doctor to take over the job. If you are diabetic, we encourage you to schedule regular nail maintenance.
Protect Against Odor
A long winter of keeping our feet covered up means foot odor can also be a problem, particularly if you’re active outdoors in the winter. Dust your feet with cornstarch or powder before putting on boots. Another great solution is a natural shoe deodorizer spray – all natural, multiple uses, smells great!
These few simple steps will help to get your feet ready for spring. Don’t forget to get a pedicure and wear some appropriately comfortable shoes to ease discomfort from corns, calluses, and bunions.
Cornerstone Foot & Ankle is a full service foot and ankle specialty office with locations in Sewell, Cherry Hill, Marlton, Mt. Holly, Woodbury, and Glassboro; serving the South Jersey region. We offer a full suite of services including surgery, fracture care, fungal nail care, diabetic foot care, pediatric podiatry, custom braces and orthotics, wound care, limb salvage, and treatments for arch pain, heel pain, and sports injuries; just to name a few. If it hurts below your knee, we can help you! CALL NOW or request your appointment online TODAY!