A Guy's Guide to Healthy Feet

In recognition of Men’s Health Month, here are some tips for men to keep their feet healthy and steps they can take to reduce the risk of foot and ankle injuries.

Typically, men don’t fuss over their feet and taking care of them is often just an afterthought. However, with your feet literally taking on the weight of your world, keeping your balance, and being a mode of transportation, making sure they are well taken care of is a key component in maintaining your overall well-being. So, if you are not a man who regularly has a professional pedicure, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your feet are healthy and maintained.

Wash your feet with soap and water every day.
After washing your feet, dry them thoroughly focusing on drying between your toes.
Apply a non-greasy moisturizer to keep your skin soft and hydrated. This helps reduce roughness on your feet.
If moisturizing your feet doesn’t repair cracked heels and rough soles, use a pumice stone or foot file a few times a week after showering.
Regularly trim your toenails in a square shape, which helps to avoid ingrown nails. It’s recommended that toenails be trimmed at least every 3 weeks and clipped after showering when your nails are softer and easier to trim.
If you have excess hair on your feet, consider trimming your foot hair with scissors or a razor. Hairy feet can increase the risk of foot odor.
Change your socks daily and if your feet get sweaty during the day, change them again. It’s critical to keep your feet dry.
Wear shoes that fit properly and change your shoes out regularly, especially if you’re not wearing socks with your shoes. Studies suggest that shoes should be changed every 6 months to help prevent fungus growth and ingrown toenails.
If you tend to wear sandals every day, rotate your sandals out and wear a different pair. Sandals need time to air out and reduce trapped moisture and, hence, reduce the risk of bacteria that can grow on your sandals.
And if you tend to wear sandals, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your feet. The skin on top of your feet is thinner and more sensitive and can easily burn.

Following these tips and performing regular good hygiene on your feet will help you keep your feet healthy. Of course, if you are faced with foot care challenges – yellow toenails, corns, callouses, bunions, diabetic feet, or foot pain – immediately schedule an appointment with your podiatrist. Don’t wait until a small foot issues becomes a bigger problem.