put your best feet forward

(ARA) – If you’ve already begun to dream of being barefoot on the beach, or showing off your pedicure in summer’s hottest new sandals, it’s time to start prepping your feet!

According to Ellen Boutillier, owner of Brighton’s Fleet Feet Sports, cold weather takes a particular toll on the feet. And while you might think that covering them up protects them in winter and spring, the damp weather, combined with cold temperatures and dry indoor heat, can add up to a potentially harsh combination for feet. Too often, the sins of foot care neglect in the colder months come home to roost in the form of corns, calluses, and dry and cracked heels in the spring.

CONSIDER:

Feet need more care in cold weather, not less, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Dry, cold conditions dry out feet, leading to cracking, especially on the heels. Indoor heating exacerbates this problem. Dry, cracked heels provide an opening for fungus to enter, in addition to an unsightly appearance. To make matters worse, the skin on the soles of the feet contains no oil glands to lubricate and soften, so moisturizing is critical.

Finally, Ellen adds that poor fitting shoes and boots can make cracking worse, and also lead to friction on the foot, which causes corns and calluses.

The reality is people don’t give much thought to preventative foot wellness -- only to taking care of foot problems after they develop. But with just a little bit of care, you can keep your feet in tip top shape and get a great jump start on their summertime unveiling!

Here are some tips for caring for your feet from the American Podiatric Medical Association:

1. Don’t ignore foot pain—it’s not normal. If the pain persists, see a podiatric physician.

2. Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete’s foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.

3. Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.

4. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.

5. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.

6. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e., running shoes for running).

7. Alternate shoes—don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day.

8. Avoid walking barefooted—your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals, always use sunblock on your feet just as on the rest of your body.

9. Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.

10. If you are a person with diabetes, it is vital that you see a podiatric physician at least once a year for a check-up.

Visit www.apma.org for more information on foot care.

ROCHESTER RESOURCE: Fleet Feet Sports, 2210 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14618; (585) 697-3338