We at Feet First Foot Care Specialists would like to recognize National Men’s Health Month with some tips for our male Middlesex County patients during June. Studies show, gentlemen, that guys pay less attention to health issues than women, and when it comes to your feet, that may mean that you ultimately must deal with more painful conditions. The good news is foot care doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Below are some simple ways to take better care of your feet, so they’ll allow you to continue to do all you love to do.

• Wash your feet daily with soap and water. This simple step will help reduce the risk of many common bacterial and fungal infections.
• Check your toenails once a week. Keeping nails trimmed straight across will help prevent painful ingrown toenails. Don’t cut nails so short that the skin overlaps them. If you notice a nail is beginning to grow into the skin, soak it in warm water several times a day and then try to massage the nail out of the skin.
• Discard athletic and other shoes when they are worn. Even if your sneakers still look good, they tend to start to deteriorate on the inside somewhere between 300-500 miles of use. Wearing shoes that no longer support your feet can lead to plantar fasciitis and other disorders.
• Keep feet dry. If your feet tend to sweat excessively, try using a foot powder before putting on your socks and keep an extra pair of socks handy to change into if your feet feel damp.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying extra pounds puts strain on your feet and increases your risk for many common podiatric problems.
• Don’t put off dealing with foot or ankle pain. Get foot discomfort evaluated promptly by our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. Make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499. Pain is your body’s way of telling you there is a problem. Getting foot ailments diagnosed in their early stages often means the foot doctor can use a less invasive treatment method and get you back to your normal activity level sooner.