John Stoddard Cancer Center

Get Happy Feet

IN ORTHOPEDICS

Summertime beckons your tootsies to wiggle in the sunshine and stroll across soft, green grass. Before you cut loose, however, ensure you practice good foot health.

The Basics

Perform the following foot health practices recommended by the National Institutes of Health:

  • Check your feet regularly for cuts, cracks or other irregularities.
  • Dry your feet and in between your toes thoroughly after bathing or swimming. If your feet sweat, change into clean socks when necessary to avoid excess moisture.
  • Ensure shoes fit properly and are comfortable.
  • If you enjoy wearing flat shoes, such as flip-flops, alternate between shoes that provide proper arch support and stability.
  • Invest in proper footwear if you are participating in a sport or other physical activity.
  • Trim toenails straight across.
  • Wash feet daily with soapy water.
  • Wear shower shoes in fitness locker rooms and showers, as well as in public pool bathrooms and other wet areas to avoid infections.

Pedicure Caution

While a professional pedicure might sound like the ideal way to treat your feet to some pampering, it can actually be risky business. If mandated sanitary guidelines are not strictly adhered to, visiting an incompliant salon or pedicure spa can put you at increased risk for infection.

To help reduce your risk, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages patrons to ask spas how their salon cleanliness is maintained. Spas should disinfect between each customer and again at close of business. The EPA also advises individuals to avoid pedicures if you have an open wound, such as a cut, abrasion, bug bite, scab or poison ivy, as bacteria can easily enter through the skin. Also, wait at least 24 hours before receiving a professional pedicure if you’ve recently shaved, used hair removal creams or waxed your legs.

What Are Bunions?

A bunion is a bump on the outside edge of your foot that is caused by your big toe pointing towards the second toe. While bunions are typically more common in women, they have been linked to genetics as well. If you frequently wear narrow-toed, high-heeled shoes, you may be at an increased risk of developing a bunion. Symptoms of bunions include:

  • Big toe bowed toward other toes
  • Bony bump along the edge of the big toe
  • Red, calloused skin around this site
  • Pain aggravated by pressure from shoes
Treatment options are available for bunions, beginning with wearing wide-toed shoes. Spacers, foam pads and other forms of inserted cushions are available to help protect the bunion and alleviate pain. In severe cases, surgical intervention will realign the big toe and remove the bony bump for effective, lasting relief.


Sources: nlm.nih.gov, epa.gov, aaos.org

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