Why You Should Care About Your Foot Health in the New Year

The New Year is the perfect time to consider ways to improve your health. Many of us have losing weight, exercising, and eating healthy high up on our list of New Year’s resolutions. These are great New Year’s resolutions because they help to keep us healthy. But another area that is often overlooked — albeit unintentionally — is foot health.

The Importance of Proper Foot Care

It first helps to understand the importance of proper foot care. Not only do you need your feet to get around, but every small pain or discomfort can worsen quickly without proper treatment. Don’t assume that because an odd growth, new sore, or unusual bump isn’t painful, it doesn’t need treatment. These are assumptions that can negatively affect you later on. Proper foot care can range from treating foot conditions to knowing your risk factors to choosing the right shoes.
 
  • Knowing your risk factors. Some people have a higher risk of developing problems with their feet, making proper foot health in the new year even more important. For example, if you have diabetes or another medical condition that weakens your immune system, you should pay extra care to your feet. You may also have foot-related issues due to genetics, the shoes you wear for work, or activities you participate in, like running or playing sports.
  • Caring for your skin and nails on your feet. A simple way to pay attention to your foot health in the New Year is to take care of the skin on your feet and toenails. Trim your toenails short regularly, but not too short. You shouldn’t pull the corners of the nails out, because this often leads to ingrown toenails. Inspect your toes and the skin on your feet regularly to look for any problems. The skin of your feet needs to remain dry by wearing the right socks and using powder and lotion regularly.
  • Choosing the right shoes. Supporting your feet is essential when you are focusing on proper foot health. Make it a New Year’s goal to buy new great-fitting shoes for your feet. They should fit your feet properly, without too much or too little room for movement. Measuring your feet is a good idea when purchasing new shoes. Get additional arch support if you have flat feet, as it can lead to pain and discomfort. Your podiatrist can recommend orthotics if you need them.
  • Seeing your podiatrist. If you notice any problems with your feet, whether it’s discoloration of your toenails or pain in the heel of your foot, schedule an appointment with your podiatrist. The earlier you catch problems and get them treated, the higher the likelihood that they can be resolved.
It is all too common for people to ignore problems with their feet and end up facing more serious complications. Remember, you only have two feet, so treat them right in 2014 and beyond!