Keeping your feet healthy is no easy task, but it can get a little easier if you know how to prevent some common problems. Today, we discuss five foot maladies and how to prevent them.
1. Blisters
Blisters are pretty common for avid runners, but they can make it painful to work out. To prevent blisters, ensure that you’re wearing properly fitting running shoes, and make sure your socks stay dry during longer workouts. If you’re still developing blisters, try putting Vaseline, sports lube or bandages over blister-prone areas.
2. Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are another typical foot injury, especially when someone is playing sports. It’s impossible to prevent all ankle sprains, but there are some things you can do to minimize your risk. First, as is a theme on this blog, wear a shoe that fits snug but isn’t too tight. This will provide ample ligament support without keeping your ankles stiff. Once you’ve got the right pair of shoes, consider adding an ankle brace for extra protection. If you’re concerned about spraining your ankle during a run, try to run on a flat, paved surface.
3. Ingrown Toenails
We covered how to prevent and treat ingrown toenails in a post earlier this month, but here’s a quick recap. To prevent ingrown toenails, wear shoes that are loose near the tip. Shoes with a pointed toe can cause nails to push in the wrong direction. Additionally, don’t cut your nails down too far. If you cut your nails low or round the sides, they can grow back at an awkward angle.
4. Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that results in dry, scaly, red skin on or between your toes. The fungus grows and thrives in warm and moist environments, so just like blister prevention, it’s important to keep your socks dry. Try to find a shoe that “breathes” well, and go barefoot when you’re in your home to keep your feet dry.
5. Sunburn
Summer is right around the corner, and that means one thing – flip flop season. Sandals and flip flops are great for a day at the beach, but they expose your feet to harmful UV rays. If you’re going to be running around in sandals, be sure to apply sunscreen to your feet, and re-apply every 2-4 hours.
