Unfortunately, many men don’t pay much attention to their feet until it’s too late, like when they get athlete’s foot. June marks Men's Health Month, today, Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, is sharing 5 tips for happy, healthy male feet.
- Prevent those blisters and calluses. Whether you’re a weekend athlete or a full-time competitive sports participant, you’ve likely been benched by calluses or painful blisters on your feet. The cause is typically poor-fitting shoes that cause rubbing. Wear shoes that fit properly to avoid blisters, and, apply protection at the first sign of irritation. For corns or calluses, soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes to soften the skin, and then carefully remove it using a pumice stone.
- Practice proper trimming. The foremost cause of ingrown toenails and hangnails is improper nail trimming. If the nails are trimmed too short, some of the tissue under or at the edges can be exposed, which causes pain and infections. Consider purchasing clippers with a cutting jaw shaped to follow the natural curve of nails and a curved handle.
- Apply anti-fungal powders, sprays, and lotions. Persistent cases of athlete’s foot are one of the chief reasons men visit a podiatrist. Damp, dark conditions of athletic footwear help the fungus that causes athlete’s foot to thrive. Good foot hygiene is the best way to avoid fungal infections.
- Wash and dry thoroughly, on a daily basis, more if necessary.
- Apply an anti-fungal powder or lotion.
- Consider a medicated spray or powder for sweaty feet or an anti-fungal lotion for dry feet.
- Wear insoles for arch support or comfort. You may get sore feet if you have to stand or play for a long duration. Most OTC products don’t provide much arch support, so be sure to look for insoles with a plastic shell at the bottom, making them strong enough to provide sufficient support. Insoles can make shoes comfier. Check with your podiatrist to see if you’d benefit from custom orthotics.
- Fight toenail fungus. The same kind of fungus that causes athlete’s foot can make toenails crusty and yellow. Severe toenail infections can take a long time to eradicate. Most OTC items aren’t effective for this type of infection. Oral anti-fungal pills and topical creams are available by prescription. Your podiatrist will explore all available treatments with you based on your condition, specifically.
If you have questions regarding proper men’s foot health or that of a loved one, contact Dr. Hubert Lee and his team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, to schedule a visit. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 425-455-0936.
