We are all incredibly busy people – especially now around the holidays! Our busy schedules often see us shirking other routine things, or pushing them further to the bottom of our to-do list. One incredibly important item that should stay constant on that list is foot care! During the holidays, feet can often feel neglected! Considering how important and complex your feet are, however, it’s incredibly important to keep them happy and healthy! Through the holiday season and any time of the year, a great idea is to get in the habit of performing regular foot self-examinations.

What is the best method of examining my feet?

Whenever it fits in your routine, use your eyes and hands to check over and feel all the surfaces of your feet and ankles. Make sure you check between each toe and under the heel. If you need help checking a certain area of your feet, grab a hand mirror, or ask a friend or family member.

What should I be looking for?

  • Redness. Color change, especially redness, could be a sign of decreased circulation, an infection, a rash, or too much pressure in an area from your footwear.
  • Toenail issues. Your nails are prone to fungal infections, and if they’re not properly cut, you could suffer from a painful ingrown toenail.
  • Swelling. If you notice swelling out of the blue, or if swelling has increased in an area since previous checks, or if it is only one foot, those are causes for alarm.
  • Blisters. Friction or pressure from ill-fitting shoes can often cause blisters. These can lead to painful ulcers or dangerous infections, especially if you are a patient with diabetes.
  • Cuts, scratches, bleeding, or abrasions. Breaks in the skin can quickly lead to infections. If you notice a cut that is not healing, it could be a sign of a something bigger going on internally.

Everyone can benefit from foot self-exams! For people with poor circulation, neuropathy, diabetes, or compromised systems in any other way, self-examinations should be done frequently and should be coupled with annual visits to the podiatrist.

If you notice any of the aforementioned issues or anything else out of the ordinary during a self-examination, it’s time to give us a call! Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC keeps up to date on all the latest podiatric health issues and utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment techniques. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently-located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

Questions or Comments?

We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.

Call Today (860) 632-5499

162 West St Ste K Cromwell, CT 06416