Your feet must last a lifetime, and most Americans log an amazing 75,000 miles on their feet by the time they reach age 50.  Regular foot care can make sure your feet are up to the task (American Podiatric Medicine Association.)

• Keep feet clean and dry!
• Change socks at least once every day and don’t wear wet socks.
• Wear proper fitting and supportive shoes that don’t rub on prominent parts of the feet.
• Allow shoes to completely dry daily.  This will help shoes last longer and maintain their structure.
• Trim nails regularly.  Cut straight across.  Use appropriate toenail clippers.  Leave nails a little long.
• Cut nails when they’re dry, not wet.  Wet nails may be likely to tea, bend, or not cut smoothly because they’re softer when wet.  Cutting dry nails will give you a cleaner, smoother cut.  Don’t try to clip each toenail in one shot.  Make a few small cuts across your nail.
• Treat any blisters or rubs immediately to avoid skin breakdown.  Bandages and moleskin will help pressure point (“hot spots”) from becoming open wounds or infection.
• Use moisturizing skin cream regularly if suffering from dry skin.
• If diabetic, pat-dry feet instead of rubbing.  Inspect the bottoms of feet every day with a mirror, especially if diabetic!
• Seek medical help as soon as possible if sores develop.

These tips come from the BYU Student Nursing Group who helped us with a recent Pay it Forward activity.  All tips are meant as guidelines, not medical treatment or diagnosis. If you have specific questions or concerns about your feet, contact your doctor.