What’s better than a quick solution to a foot or ankle problem? Not having a podiatric problem in the first place! At Long Island Foot & Ankle Health, PC, we believe in helping our patients be proactive in the care of their feet. Below are some do’s and don’ts for keeping your feet healthy:
Do: get in the habit of examining your feet regularly. Many foot problems can be easily resolved if they are diagnosed in the early stages. Changes in skin color, bruises or slow-healing cuts, growths, rashes or any other unusual symptoms should be reported promptly to the podiatrist.
Don’t: go barefoot. Always wear shoes in public places such as gyms, community pools and nail salons. Fungal infections are spread by direct contact. You will also greatly reduce the risk of cuts and puncture wounds by keeping your feet covered.
Do: invest in good quality shoes. The shoes you wear have a major impact on the health of your feet. Be sure that your footwear fits properly and is designed to accommodate any deformities such as bunions or chronic foot problems like flat feet. Toss shoes that are stretched or worn out to avoid trips and falls.
Do: take care of your toenails. Keeping them trimmed straight across with no curved edges and not too short can prevent painful ingrown toenails.
Don’t: attempt any “bathroom surgeries.” Leave the removal of warts, ingrown nails, corns and other podiatric disorders to the professional care of the foot doctor. Serious injury and infection can result from DIY foot doctor work.
Of course, not all injuries and foot conditions can be prevented. When you experience foot or ankle pain or other unusual or debilitating symptoms, contact our Valley Stream (516-825-4070) or Lake Success (516-327-0074) office. Our podiatrists Dr. Russell Caprioli, Dr. Mary Ann Bilotti, Dr. John Haight or Dr. Marzana Mleczko will get to the root cause of your discomfort and prescribe the appropriate treatment to get you back on your feet fast.