Three Tips for Warm-Weather Foot Health

Spring is in full swing in Anne Arundel County. If your family is like so many others, you’re heading outside to safely enjoy hiking, jogging, sports, and some time in the sun. Unfortunately for some people, this increase in time outdoors can result in injuries and other foot health issues. Podiatrists Dr. James M. McKee and Dr. Adam Weaver want you to remember a few of the risks and to consider active steps you can take to keep feet and ankles safe through the summer and beyond:

1. Make sure your footwear is in good condition. 2020 was a challenging year, and many of us put off routine shopping for things like new athletic shoes or hiking boots. If your shoes have seen more than a full year of use or 500 road miles, now is the time to replace them. Remember to take advantage of a professional foot measuring opportunity, as foot length and width can change with age. Has it been hard to wear shoes, exercise, or move through your daily activities comfortably? Talk to your podiatrist about options to relieve your discomfort, including orthotics, custom inserts to provide additional cushioning and support.

2. Be diligent with sunscreen. Your feet and ankles are as vulnerable to skin cancer as the rest of your body is. Be sure to use sunscreen with high SPF. Apply it thoroughly and frequently reapply, especially after swimming or sweating.

3. Carry a small foot first aid kit with you in case of injury. Include a compression bandage to wrap a twisted ankle, tweezers to remove splinters and other foreign objects, antibiotic ointment, and some moleskin to cushion blisters.

Ensure your feet, ankles, and lower legs are healthy and ready for outdoor recreation this spring and summer. Call the friendly Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A. at 410-224-4448 or click here to schedule a visit with podiatrists James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS, and Adam Weaver, DPM, in our comfortable office on Old Solomons Island Road today.