Are your lifestyle habits affecting the health of your feet?
In this post, I look at habits that are probably doing great damage to your feet. Without further ado, here are the five things a podiatrist Northern Virginia thinks you should know about.
Habit #1 DIY bathroom surgery cutting out ingrown toenails
Ingrown toenails are a common problem affecting 2 in 10 people visiting a podiatrist’s office. The condition, caused by ill-fitting shoes, toe trauma, or genetics, can be diagnosed and treated by a foot and ankle doctor. Avoid DIY bathroom surgery at home as you risk causing an infection or worse yet, encouraging the development of pyogenic granuloma, a benign growth.
Habit #2 Walking barefoot in public locker rooms
Walking in public areas such as toilets, showers, and locker rooms with bare feet is a terribly unhygienic habit that needs to be nipped in the bud. It’s one of the fastest ways to pick up warts, viruses, and fungi. Damp spaces are great breeding grounds for these types of microorganisms. So, always wear some type of footwear, it can be something as simple as flip-flops or sandals.
Habit #3 Walking barefoot on hard surfaces
Continuing with the admonition against going sans shoes, we’ll also throw in walking barefoot on hard surfaces such as stone, ceramic tiling, cement, and hardwood. It’s not good for your feet as there is nothing to absorb the shock. If such behavior is continued, you will eventually wear out your fat pad which can be likened to your foot’s natural shock-absorbing cushion. Either lay carpets in your home or wear house shoes.
Habit #4 Running in a new pair of trainers
Whether you’re training for a marathon or just enjoying your regular jog, running in your sparkling brand-new set of sneakers is a sure-fire way to get shin splints or blisters. Why? Because shoes, as we all know, need to be broken in. So, if you’ve got a big race coming up, make sure you’ve given yourself at least a week or two to break in the new kicks.
Habit #5 Wearing worn-out footwear
Many people are guilty of this one – failing to throw out their comfortable but old footwear. It can be tough on some, but worn-down shoes impact your entire skeletal structure. They can even alter your gait and stances making them unnatural. So, learn to replace your shoes when your regular ones are noticeably shabby.
Worried about a foot or ankle problem?
Do you have any questions regarding the health of your feet or ankles? Dr. Lonny Nodelman, a top podiatrist Northern Virginia and the team over at District Foot and Ankle are here to help. Request your appointment today.
Looking for more insight? Check out our previous posts:
· The Overlooked Risks of Cortisone Injections in the Foot and Ankle
· Cortisone Shot in Foot, Does it Help?
Disclaimer:Any information provided in this blog is not intended to replace medical advice given by qualified professionals.