As the weather gets warmer, more and more people will go outside to participate in a popular and healthy activity; running. With this can come some foot health issues. They include:

• Corns and Calluses – hardened areas of skin where there is friction between the toes, feet, and shoe
• Blisters – open sores due to poor footwear support
• Ingrown toenails – toenails that have been pushed inward and cut into the toe causing pain
• Bunions – bony protrusions on your big toes due to poorly shoes or genetics
• Athlete’s foot – a fungal infection often caused when people go barefoot in public pools and showers
• Strains and sprains – overuse of the foot or ankle muscles especially if you haven’t stretched
• Shin splints – a painful inflammation of the shin caused by repeated pounding on a hard surface

Runners can avoid these problems by taking the necessary precautions. Ways to avoid these foot issues include:

• Making sure you have well-fitted shoes – this will cut down on corns, calluses, bunions, ingrown toenails and blisters
• Dry socks – make sure you have replacement socks as moist socks will breed bacteria which will lead to athlete’s feet
• Never share shoes or socks – prevents the sharing of the athlete’s foot fungus
• Never walk barefoot in a public shower or pool – prevents athlete’s foot fungus from spreading
• Stretch your foot and leg muscles – will help avoid strains and sprains
• Avoid hard surfaces when running – seek out softer surfaces like artificial track surfaces or the good old earth. Dirt is better than pavement and gives more on contact

Taking these precautions will help you keep running and getting into the best shape you can. Taking care of your feet is the same as taking care of the special tires used for NASCAR and other types of racing. Without them, racers could not successfully compete.

If you are you a concerned runner or athlete or are just generally concerned about the health of your feet, schedule an appointment with Clark Podiatry Center to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon A. Macy. He can assess your feet to ensure that there are no issues making sure that you not only choose the right shoes but also keep your feet healthy. See us at our Clark, New Jersey office today!