10 Tips for Maintaining Healthy Feet

The human foot is a marvel of biomechanical engineering that
most of us take for granted until the system fails or breaks down. The
average person will walk the equivalent of twice around the world in a
lifetime, which is a long time on your feet.

Podiatrists who are part of the UCLA Medical Group offer the
following tips for helping maintain healthy feet and avoiding
complications. The physicians are board-certified, provide
comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of all foot and ankle conditions,
and also have expertise in the management of diabetic foot problems and
sports injuries.

10 Tips to Maintain Healthy Feet

• Inspect your feet regularly and pay attention to changes in color, texture or appearance.
• Maintain good foot hygiene, including washing and drying between the toes.
• Hydrate the skin. Southern California weather and open
  shoes can cause rapid loss of moisture from the skin and may result in
  cracking or the formation of fissures. It is helpful to replace the
  moisture content by using lotions or creams on a regular basis.
• Buy proper-size shoes. You may not wear the same size
  in shoes made by different manufacturers. Purchase new shoes late in
  the day, when feet tend to be at their largest. Always buy the shoes
  that feel the best.
• Don't ignore foot pain. Symptoms that increase or do
  not resolve within a reasonable period of time need to be evaluated by
  your podiatric physician.
• Cut toenails straight across. Never cut into the
  corners — this could cause an ingrown toenail. Gently file away sharp
  corners or rough edges with an emery board.
• Exercise. Walking is a great way to keep weight under
  control and is an excellent conditioner for the feet. Be sure to wear
  appropriate athletic shoes when exercising.
• Alternate your shoes each day. Since the feet have
  sweat glands, your shoes will absorb moisture from your feet, so it is
  important to allow your shoes to dry out completely.
• Avoid walking barefoot to help protect your feet from injury and infection.
• Put sunblock on your feet while wearing sandals during the day to avoid sunburn.