General foot care

Imagine if you were stuffed inside a suitcase, and that the suitcase would be twisted, squashed and pounded for hours at a time. That's pretty much what your feet go through every day. What's more, the feet are amazingly complex, with 28 bones and 33 joints, along with muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels. And yet, feet are designed to stand up to even this abuse. Still, there are certain precautions you can take to keep your feet healthy. Wash them daily, taking particular care to dry between the toes. Nails should be cut straight across to minimize the possibility of ingrown toenails. You can use an emery board to smooth off sharp edges. If you cut your foot, be sure to medicate the wound, watching for any sign of infection. Finally, walking is what your feet were designed to do, so try to do at least some every day. It improves blood flow and keeps the feet working properly. For more tips on healthy feet, see your foot care specialist.