Take Care of Your Feet This Holiday Season
At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle we know that once Thanksgiving is over, the holidays are in full force. That means lots of shopping, parties, gifts, cookies—and, if you’re not careful, foot pain. We want to make sure that all of our patients enjoy this season to the max without hurting their feet.
Be Choosy about Shoes
With all the extra walking and standing you’ll be doing it’s crucial to wear shoes that fit properly and are designed with the health of your feet in mind. Avoid styles with narrow toe boxes or that lack adequate arch support. Chunky heels provide more stability than skinny ones, which can increase your risk of ankle sprains especially if the weather turns slippery. If our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, has prescribed a custom orthotic, be sure to wear it as directed.
Don’t Cut Corners on Foot Care
Stick with your normal podiatric hygiene and care routine. Washing your feet daily, taking the time to trim nails properly, and keeping feet moisturized are not items you can skip on your to-do list. If you like to get professional pedicures, be sure your salon is following safe sanitizing practices.
Feast Wisely
Be select about which holiday treats you indulge in. It’s easy to pack on extra pounds during the holiday season. Added weight will put added strain on your lower extremities, making existing conditions worse and also potentially create new problems.
Pace Yourself
Try to spread out the activities that require you to be on your feet for long periods of time. For example, on the day you host your holiday party, don’t spend the entire afternoon standing at the kitchen counter preparing food. Choose some make ahead items and prepare a few each day leading up to the event. Take breaks and put your feet up whenever you can. Inspect your feet for signs of injury, swelling, bruising, redness, or other indicators of a potential problem. If you experience foot or ankle pain that doesn’t subside when you rest, contact our Spring Hill (352 683-5799) or Hudson (727-868-2128) office for an appointment at your earliest convenience.