June is National Men’s Health Month, and there is no better time of the year to raise awareness about foot health and to encourage men to take care of their feet. Regardless of gender, foot hygiene is extremely important.
FOOTCARE TIPS
- Wear a fresh pair of socks daily: Feet are prone to excessive sweating during summer. A change of socks once or twice a day will keep your feet fresh.
- Wash your feet every day: Use water and soap to wash your feet daily and wear breathable footwear to reduce the risk of athlete’s foot, a common fungal disease among men.
- Keep your feet dry: Dry your feet after each wash, especially in between the toes. Any moisture there may facilitate tissue breakdown and promote bacterial or fungal infections.
- Trim toenails properly: Use high-quality, sharp nail clippers to trim your toenails neatly. Leave a sliver of the white nail just above your skin fold to avoid an ingrown toenail. Make sure you trim your toenails when they are dry since moisture tends to make the nails soft and more prone to tearing irregularly along the nail fold.
- Avoid harsh treatments for usual foot issues: If you come across any calluses, then a gentle rub with a pumice stone during a bath will suffice. Avoid any chemical peels or harsh ointments. They may do more harm than good. Soft and gentle padding inside the shoes will keep the foot calluses at bay.
Toenails are susceptible to fungal infections. Fungal toenails can be treated with over-the-counter special antifungal ointments and solutions. Specific laser therapy can also be an effective treatment option to contain the fungus. As a last measure, the toenail is removed completely to allow fresh growth of the toenail.
It is prudent to get your feet checked by a podiatrist occasionally. If you want to learn more about foot care or have concerns about your foot health, don’t hesitate to contact the office of Dr. John C. Marzano at Westchester Podiatric Healing Medicine, P.C., in Yonkers, NY, today to schedule a consultation to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. You can visit our office at 984 N. Broadway, Suite LL03, Yonkers, NY 10701, or call us at (914) 423-0600.