Walking each day takes a serious toll on your feet. Without properly caring for them, you could develop chronic pain, heel spurs, or injuries, requiring you to visit a podiatrist for treatment. While whole-body health is essential, you can take several steps to directly improve the health of your feet, including the tips below. 

3 Top Tips for Healthy Feet

1. Practice Good Hygiene

One of the best ways to avoid seeing a podiatrist for a foot-related illness or fungus is to clean them well and often. It would be best to wash your feet daily with soap, including the space between each toe. Scrubbing exfoliates dead skin from the toes and feet, which helps reduce the development of calluses. 

Washing your feet each day also prevents many infections you could get from walking on germy surfaces, like public bathrooms. For instance, a staph infection from the Staphylococcus bacteria could enter your body through a cut, resulting in painful boils or rashes. By washing your feet with soap, you reduce the risk of contracting infections because your feet are less likely to harbor pathogens for an extended period. 

2. Wear the Right Shoes

Wearing tight tennis shoes could cause painful blisters to form on your heels. Narrow, pointy-toed high heels can cram your toes together, possibly causing bunions to develop over time. It's always a good idea to test out new shoes to ensure they have enough space to accommodate your toes and feet comfortably. 

Footwear that provides cushioning for your heels and the balls of your feet while supporting your arch is also acceptable. Don't forget to wear sports-specific footwear when active and avoid narrow shoes whenever possible.  

3. Cut Your Toenails Correctly

If you don't trim the nails, they can grow too long and make your shoes uncomfortable. When it's time to trim them, avoid cutting them too close to the skin. 

It helps to cut or file toenails straight across with enough length near their edges to lie loosely near the skin. Trimming your toenails too close to the skin or shaping them into a pointy or rounded edge increases the risk of ingrown toenails.

If you need help improving the health and function of your feet, expert podiatrist Eric Trattner DPM is the person to call. Based in Ohio, this foot specialist offers effective foot care for each patient using minimally invasive treatments. This podiatrist also cares for hammertoes, toenail fungus, and ingrown nails, increasing his patient's comfort and mobility. Schedule a consultation by calling (440) 333-5350 for his Fairview Park office or (330) 405-3301 to reach his Twinsburg location. You can also check out his website to learn more about his services.