As we put the long winter behind us it is time to look forward to warm, spring days. Are your feet ready for sandal season? It’s common for the dry, cold winter season to have taken a toll on your feet, so now is the perfect time to get your feet in sandal shape with these tips:
- Get started: It can be daunting to try to deal with the layers of dry, dead skin that accumulated over the winter, so start off with a professional pedicure. A pedicure can set you up for maintaining soft, supple feet!
- Foot soaks: Softening hardened skin is the first step in achieving softer skin. Soak your feet in a bath with some Epsom salt, and follow with a foot scrub or pumice stone.
- Moisturize: Rejuvenate your feet with daily moisturizing, especially on hardened areas like your heels. Applying a thick moisturizer or petroleum jelly under socks before bed is an easy way to wake up to hydrated skin!
- Protect your feet: It may be getting warmer outside but avoid walking around barefoot outside, especially in public areas to avoid infections and other injuries.
- Cut nails straight across: Keeping your nails trimmed straight across can avoid painful conditions like ingrown toenails.
- Address medical issues: Nail fungus is a common condition that can be stubborn if not treated properly. See a board-certified podiatrist for treatment.
It’s not uncommon for feet to be in rough condition by the end of winter, so consulting with a foot care specialist is important, especially if you have conditions like diabetes, nail fungus, corns, calluses, blisters or ingrown toenails.
At Your Next Step, a team of board-certified podiatrists, Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen, use advanced technologies like Tenex Health TX and laser nail therapy to address conditions like chronic heel and tendon pain, plantar fasciitis, nail fungus, and create custom orthotics to prevent and treat many podiatric issues. Our offices are conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, and Downingtown, PA. Please contact us for an appointment!