It’s almost time for Thanksgiving, that time of year we take a moment to appreciate all the gifts we have in life. One gift that often goes unnoticed, however, is our feet! Yes, our feet do a lot of work for us, and we barely notice. This Thanksgiving, let’s take some time to go over how we can say thank you to our feet.

There are some basic things you can do for your feet right away. The first thing you can do is to buy proper shoes. Wearing ill-fitting shoes can lead to numerous foot and ankle problems, as well as foot injuries and, over time, even foot deformities. There are also a couple of special things you can do for your feet.  Try these tips:

• Massage your feet in a rich moisturizer, and it will help prevent dry skin and cracked heels.
• Try a professional pedicure. Just make sure the salon adheres to proper sanitizing procedures for its foot baths and tools.
• Buy a pair of really good socks. Look for socks that are soft with a lot of cushion for extra shock absorption. Moisture-wicking varieties help keep feet dry and protect against fungal infections.
• Treat yourself to a foot massage. You can also massage your feet at home and try rolling them back and forth over a frozen water bottle.
• Wash your feet daily with soap and water. Remember to get in-between your toes and thoroughly dry your feet before putting on socks.
• Trim your toenails and make sure to trim them straight across.
• Schedule your annual podiatry exam. It’s important to get your feet checked out regularly to catch warning signs early and prevent any problems from getting worse.

For more tips and expert advice, call Syracuse Podiatry, located in East Syracuse, New York. Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman,  Dr. Riane Teagarden, and their staff will help you diagnose and treat your foot or ankle condition. Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today.