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As outdoor activities increase with warmer weather, foot care remains important

April is Foot Health Awareness month
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Photo by Jan Romero on Unsplash

From heart health to cancer awareness, a lot of months are designated as a time to reflect and check for any health issues someone may be experiencing. April is no different as it’s been designated Foot Health Awareness Month. While your feet may often be overlooked, there are many small symptoms that could lead to someone walking into the doctor’s office.

“The feet are the base of the body and so it can affect everything above it, '' said Dr. James Yakel of the Colorado Center for Podiatric Sports Medicine. “It can affect your hips, your knees, your back and if you don’t have a good foundation you don't have a good house. Everything else can feel great but if your feet hurt you’re not going to be able to exercise and stand on your feet for long periods of time and do what you want.”

This is especially relevant this time of year as the warmer weather approaches and people prepare to get outside for hikes and summer sports. 

Dr. Yakel said he sees a number of big issues in his office and that's why Foot Health Awareness Month is important. Many of these issues can be avoided by preventative care people can take.

The first thing people should do is inspect their feet on a daily basis for things like cracks, dry skin and ingrown toenails,” said Dr. Yakel. “The other thing is to moisturize your feet after bathing especially between the toes and apply good moisturizing cream.”

He says those dealing with diabetes need to take extra care to make sure there is nothing stuck in their foot like a thumbtack as many people suffer from numbness in their feet. 

Another issue,more prevalent in the warmer months, is sometimes masked by nail polish. Yakel said it’s good to take a break from painting one’s toenails and can hide toenail fungus.

“That happens quite a bit,” Yakel said. “Ladies will keep them covered all spring summer and fall and they take off the toenail polish and they have a big brown toenail.”

Toenail fungus is one of the most common conditions treated at the Colorado Center for Podiatric Sports Medicine and is often caused by preparation in a shoe. While there are treatments, it is not an easy issue to get rid of.

“Toenail fungus is usually acquired by perspiration in a shoe and people’s feet sweat. It’s like a breeding ground in the toe box of a shoe and eventually, it works its way into the toenail itself,” Yakel said. “And it’s very, very difficult to get rid. There’s nothing that’s 100% effective. Probably the most effective thing is only about 50%.”

Sports-related injuries are also a common issue, but there are steps to be taken to avoid being sidelined. The first step is having the right gear.

“With COVID and spring here, people are going to be out exercising more and it’s imperative they wear shoes with good support and shoes that fit,” Yakel said. “Also, as people get older their feet will flatten a little bit and when they flatten they also lengthen so your shoe size changes.”

Most recommend replacing shoes every 300 to 400 miles of use. However, if foot or knee pain begins, it may be a sign it’s time to change out footwear.

As with shoes, paying attention to daily activities is key. If pain begins, don’t assume it’s a simple issue that will go away as it can lead to other more severe problems, and that’s why it’s essential to get checked out by a professional, Yakel said. 

Finally, even with the sun shining and the warmer weather, Yakel says do your best to avoid flip flops, “It can cause an onset of plantar fasciitis. You can get foreign objects like stickers or goatheads and there’s just no support to those. So that is usually the start to foot issues is people who wear flip flops for long periods of time.”

Plantar Fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain which involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot connecting the heel bone to the toes, according to the Mayo Clinic.