7 Ways to Start the New Year Off on the Right Foot

New Year’s resolutions for your feet? Why not? We at Paul Klein DPM, FACFAS believe that good habits can help you keep your feet and ankles healthy and that’s a resolution that will enable you to carry out nearly any others that you make for 2018. Below are some suggestions:

  1. Inspect your feet regularly—look for anything unusual—lumps, growths, changes in skin color, thickening or discolored toenails, swelling, bruising. Checking your feet consistently will help you spot differences quickly and early detection of foot disorders usually results in faster and less invasive treatments.
  2. Keep it clean—wash feet every day with warm water and mild soap and then dry completely. Take special care to get the spaces between your toes dry—fungal infections frequently start there and they love warm, moist spots.
  3. Stay dry—damp feet can also come about as a result of perspiration or inclement weather. Do not let your feet stay in wet socks. Always change your socks as soon as you notice they are damp. If you sweat excessively, apply foot powder before your socks.
  4. Don’t crack up—dry skin can become itchy and scaly and at its worst, even cracked and bleeding. Not only is this painful, but it can also allow harmful bacteria to enter your body and cause an infection. Dry skin is more prevalent in the winter. Massage a rich moisturizer into your feet each night before bed.
  5. Trim your nails—keep them filed straight across and not too short to prevent ingrown nails from forming. If you have diabetes or other diseases that compromise your immune system, consider having a podiatrist handle nail care.
  6. Keep your shoes on—going barefoot greatly increases the risk of puncture woundsand fungal infections. Always use shower shoes or flip flops at the gym or when using a community pool.
  7. Schedule an appointment at our Wayne, NJ office if your feet hurt. Ignoring foot pain can lead to debilitating disabilities and permanent damage. Our podiatrist, Dr. Paul G. Klein, can help get to the source of the pain and prescribe the correct treatment to get you back on your feet. Call us at: 973-595-1555.