Do’s and Don’ts for Senior Foot Health

At Pasco Hernando Foot & Ankle, we know that foot health care needs can change as the years go by. Senior feet have some unique needs. Fat pads are naturally thinner, and joints may start to show signs of wear and tear. In addition, your risk for many conditions increases as you age. Foot pain, however, is not an inevitable part of getting older. Keep your feet healthy as you age with the do’s and don’ts below.

Do: pay attention to your feet and get in the habit of inspecting them daily. Ask someone to help you if it’s difficult to see your whole foot. Look for unusual symptoms (in addition to pain), including bruising, swelling, cuts that don’t seem to be healing, and rashes. It’s important to note that certain conditions such as diabetes and peripheral arterial disease may show symptoms in your feet, making it even more important not to put off getting anything concerning evaluated by our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales. 

Don’t: wear shoes that hurt your feet. Replace shoes that are damaged or worn out. Choose styles with cushioned insoles, so-slip soles, and good arch support. Get your feet professionally measured when buying new shoes.

Don’t: walk barefoot. It increases your risk of contracting fungal infections like athlete’s foot, warts, and toenail fungus in public places. Even at home, however, walking barefoot increases your chances of a cut on your foot or stubbing your toe.

Do: stay active to promote circulation. Other ways to help maintain good blood flow to your lower extremities include not sitting with your legs crossed, putting your feet up when sitting, and not smoking.

Do: commit to good foot hygiene. Wash your feet every day and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. Use foot powder if your feet tend to sweat excessively, and massage with a thick moisturizer at night before bed.

Don’t: cut toenails too short and never round the edges. This will help prevent ingrown toenails from developing.

Do: schedule regular checkups with the podiatrist. The foot doctor can do much more than diagnosing and treat foot pain. Your podiatrist can help assess your risk for common podiatric problems and help you be proactive in preventing them. To make your next appointment contact our Hudson office by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799.