5 Tips to Keep Your Feet Pain Free This May
May is a busy month here in Hamilton County and the surrounding areas, so we want to make sure foot pain won’t slow you down. This is the month of graduations, when we get to enjoy the Indianapolis 500 and the AES 500 parade and when we trade shoes for sandals, pool days and the fun and fireworks of the Memorial Day weekend.
Want to keep the good times rolling? Keep reading to score our top five tips for preventing foot pain this May. From choosing the right footwear to making smart decisions in the sunshine, they can keep foot pain and injuries from ruining your spring fun.
5 Ways to Prevent May Foot Injuries
1. Never Skip Sunscreen
When the weather outside’s delightful, we tend to show more foot and ankle skin. And that means we need to lather up with sunscreen on this delicate skin. Too often, we forget to apply sun protection to our toes, feet and ankles, which leads to burns—and increases our risk for skin cancer of the feet. To stay safe, reapply sunscreen to your feet every hour you’re exposed to direct sunlight, as you would to the rest of your body.
2. Time to Cover Toes
Some May celebrations require closed-toed shoes, even if the sun is shining brightly. Shooting off fireworks? Select a pair of closed-toed shoes that will protect your feet from stray sparks. Heading out a Memorial Day picnic at the park? Make sure your athletic shoes have plenty of arch support, to prevent foot pain or injury.
3. Standing Support
You need supportive shoes when you’ll be standing or walking for a long period of time. So, if you’re hitting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or the parade for the day, skip the sandals in favor of athletic shoes. Your feet will thank you at the end of the day!
4. Don’t Go Barefoot
Even at the beach, limit the time you spend walking with bare feet. Stepping on the sand could lead to anything from puncture injuries to burns. And walking on wet surfaces in public spaces opens you up to fungal infections. To stay safe, keep feet covered in water shoes or supportive sandals such as PowerStep orthotic sandals and slides.
5. Never Wish Away or Walk Off Pain
Foot problems almost never go away on their own. Suspect you suffered a foot injury? Whether you cut yourself, are experiencing heel pain or fall and twist your ankle, walking around with foot pain is a recipe for disaster. Instead, save your May celebrations and schedule an appointment with Dr. David Sullivan at the first sign of trouble. A comprehensive foot exam will help you heal properly, and prevent complications from ruining your summer!