Men’s Health Month: 5 Tips For Keeping Your Feet Healthy

June is National Men’s Health Month, and while men aren’t typically too concerned with the smell, look, or feel of their feet, when summer rolls around, that can change.

June is National Men’s Health Month, and while men aren’t typically too concerned with the smell, look, or feel of their feet, when summer rolls around, that can change. Today Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC in New Haven County and Fairfield County are sharing five easy ways men can make their feet look and feel better.

Change your socks daily. Feet often sweat during the warmer weather, so it’s important to change your socks at least one or two times a day to prevent excessive moisture.
Wash your feet every day. Wash your feet daily using soap and water to prevent athlete’s foot. This is very common in men who wear shoes that don’t breathe properly.
Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. After washing your feet, it’s particularly important to dry between the toes. And if you use lotion, don’t put it between the toes because it may cause tissue breakdown and ulcers.
Cut toenails correctly. Don’t cut the whole nail at once and be careful not to dig at the corners. Cut them straight across, leaving the nails a bit longer. Cutting them too short can weaken the nail plate and lead to infection or an ingrown toenail. It’s also important to cut nails when they are dry because wet nails can tear when they’re too soft.
Don’t try to perform ‘bathroom surgery.’ Some men take a more hands-on approach to manage a foot issue that isn’t too serious, and they engage in ‘bathroom surgery.’ Instead of attempting to remove areas of the skin on your feet, treat calluses using a pumice stone or put some padding in your shoe.

In some instances, toenail fungus can be treated by removing part of the nail or by applying an over-the-counter anti-fungal medication that is exclusively designed for nails. If you have blisters, don’t aggravate them. If one opens, clean the area carefully with soap and water, then use an antibiotic ointment and apply a clean bandage.

If you want your feet to be healthy and happy this summer, contact the office of Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC in New Haven County and Fairfield County to schedule an appointment.We’re in this together, so if you need us, call our Waterbury office at (203) 755-0489 or our Newtown location at (203) 270-6724.