Keeping Feet Pain-Free During the Holidays

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The holiday season is a joyous, festive time filled with parties and celebrations, surrounded by family and friends...but it won’t be much fun if you find yourself suffering from foot pain! Here are some tips from James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS to keep your feet feeling great through the holidays and into 2018:

  1. Falls are a common cause of foot and ankle injuries. If you need to reach something on a high shelf or deal with holiday lights, use a ladder. Stay safe in snow and ice. Choose a new pair of winter boots with thick rubber soles and deep treads for maximum traction. If you’re headed to an event, carry your party shoes and change into them when you arrive.
  2. Avoid ingrown toenails. For everyday use, wear a comfortable, sensible pair of shoes with a wide, roomy toe box. Trim toenails straight across regularly with a clipper without rounding the corners.
  3. Take a break and get off your feet once in awhile. If you’re planning a day at the mall with a friend, schedule lunch or a coffee break to give your feet and legs a rest.
  4. Invest in a new pair of  woolen socks. This is especially important for people whose feet tend to get cold, perhaps because of diabetes or another circulatory disorder. Wool will do the best job of insulating feet and keeping them warm, as well as wicking away the moisture that can not only chill feet but also lead to infections like toenail fungus.
  5. Maintain a healthy weight. It’s easy to give in to temptation during the holidays, but try to indulge in moderation. Extra pounds can create extra stress on the bones, muscles, and tendons of the feet, ankles, and lower legs.
  6. Hydrate and moisturize. Winter weather can rob skin of moisture, leading to painful heel cracks. Be sure to drink plenty of water and apply lotion twice daily.

The best way to keep your feet feeling great this winter is to visit the podiatrist for an exam. Dr. James M. McKee is a board-certified specialist and an expert in treating all issues related to the feet, ankles, and lower legs. He will provide you with a comprehensive examination, accurate diagnosis of any existing or potential problems, an individualized treatment plan, and thorough follow up.  Call Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A. at 410-224-4448 or click here to schedule an appointment in our comfortable and convenient Annapolis, MD office today.

common foot conditions, proper foot carePodiatry Group of Annapolis