Air Travel Can Be Dangerous for Feet and Ankles

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For many people, staying safe in 2020 means sticking close to home. But what if you are one of the many people who are required to travel by air for work or as the result of a family emergency? Air travel can be hard on feet! How will you protect yourself from coronavirus and take care of your feet, ankles, and lower legs while you’re in the airport and on the airplane? Here are some suggestions from Anne Arundel County podiatrists Dr. James M. McKee and Dr. Adam Weaver:

COVID-19 Prevention Steps

  1. Wear your mask at the airport, on the plane, in the bathroom…everyplace, all the time, unless you’re eating or drinking.

  2. Wash or sanitize your hands often, especially if you have to touch a high-contact surface such as a doorknob or sink faucet.

  3. Avoid other people to the extent possible. Check your bags, stay socially-distant on the security line, wait at a nearby gate where you can hear announcements without sitting in a crowd.

Foot and Ankle Health Tips

  1. Feet can swell during travel. Stay well-hydrated to minimize this unpleasant and uncomfortable issue.

  2. Protect feet from plantar warts and fungal infections. Don’t go barefoot in public spaces, including the security line. No sandals during air travel, please. Wear socks and a pair of comfortable shoes.

  3. Have you heard of DVT? Deep vein thrombosis is a dangerous blood clot that forms in the blood vessels in the lower legs. When a DVT breaks free and travels through the body, it can lodge in the lungs or even the heart. The best way to prevent DVT is by getting up and moving periodically on long flights. Even a trip to the restroom will help keep blood flowing.

Are you worried about the effect of recent or upcoming air travel, or do you have another concern about the health and wellness of your feet, ankles, or lower legs? Call Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A. at 410-224-4448, or click here today. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you schedule a convenient appointment with James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS and Adam Weaver, DPM, in our modern, comfortable office on Solomons Island Road.

Foot Health, General HealthPodiatry Group of Annapolisfungal infections, COVID-19, Deep vein thrombosis