If you’re like most people, you don’t give much thought to your feet unless they hurt. Fact is, we all should be paying more attention to foot care.
You may be surprised to know that by the time most Americans reach age 50 they have logged 75,000 miles on their feet. That’s according to The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), the nation’s leading professional organization for today’s podiatrists.
“Regular foot care can make sure your feet are up to the task,” say APMA officials. “With proper detection, intervention and care, most foot and ankle problems can be lessened or prevented.”
More advice
“Be kind to your feet,” add officials with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation’s medical research agency. “Years of wear and tear can be hard on them. So can disease, bad circulation, poorly trimmed toenails and wearing shoes that don’t fit.”
NIH also recommends practicing good foot care, which encompasses taking a look at your feet often; using a mirror to look at the bottoms of your feet; and looking for cuts, blisters and ingrown toenails.
Officials at both the NIH and APMA stress that if you have a problem with your feet, you should see your family doctor or a podiatrist.