Foot care is important at every stage of life. There are different considerations that need to be given as we start to become older, however. Understanding the best ways to care for elderly feet will help keep you safe and healthy.
Tips on responsible senior foot care practices include:
- Keep feet dry. As you become older, your immune system is not as strong. This means your body is less able to fight infections. Many infections are the result of tiny organisms that need damp, dark places to thrive. Feet can easily become damp if you are not careful.
- Moisturize. Whereas damp feet can be bad, excessive dryness is also a problem. Heels can crack and fissure when they are too dry. You can avoid both problems by using moisturizer on the tops and bottoms of feet, but not in between toes.
- Keep toenails trimmed. In addition to dampness, another potential cause of infection is skin pierced by an ingrown toenail. Prevent this from happening by trimming toenails correctly (straight across and even with the edge of your toes) and wearing shoes with enough room in the front (toes should be able to wiggle freely).
- Choose comfortable shoes. As we age, we lose padding underneath the heel. You can help your feet by wearing shoes that have lots of cushioning in the heel area.
- Keep clear pathways at home. The fall risk for older individuals is high, so make sure you have pathways that are clear in your home. You might also want to give some thought to furniture placement as well.
These tips will help you maintain optimal foot health and safety as you become older, but an even more important one is to come see us at our Berkeley, CA podiatrist office. We can examine your feet, create treatment and prevention plans, and provide additional tips. Your first step is to give us a call at (510) 647-3744 or contact us online right now.