Celebrating Healthy Skin Month
What’s the largest organ in your body? Your skin! November is National Healthy Skin Month, and at Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, we want to focus mainly on the skin on your feet. It can sometimes act as an early warning system for conditions that affect your whole body that can be overlooked, and disorders that develop may become serious if not treated appropriately and promptly. Patients with diabetes have to take extra care with the skin of their feet to prevent infections and wounds from forming.
Tips for keeping skin on your feet healthy
Check it Out—It starts by paying attention. Look your feet over once a day—while bathing is a good time. Notice if there are changes in your skin color or if you see bruises, redness, a rash, or growth on the skin. Watch closely for freckles or moles or any changes on the skin of your feet.
Make a Clean Start—Practice good hygiene and wash your feet with soap and water every day. Dry completely before putting on clean socks.
Keep Feet Covered and Dry—The majority of foot infections like athlete’s foot and warts are transmitted by direct contact, so wear shoes when you are walking in public places like the town pool, beach changing areas and restrooms, gym locker rooms, and nail salons. Fungal infections love moist environments, so use a foot powder or antiperspirant to help keep feet dry. Change your socks as soon as you notice they feel damp.
Use Sunscreen— Exposure to the skin on your feet to the sun's harmful rays has the same risk for developing skin cancer as other areas of your body. Even if you are just out shopping or running errands, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect your skin where it’s exposed. Never use tanning beds!
Of course, the best way to take care of the skin on your feet is to get any problems promptly evaluated by our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales. If you are experiencing any concerning symptoms on your foot skin, contact our Hudson office by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 for an appointment today.