It’s called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but at Patrick Fettinger, DPM, we know that the feet of our Fairfield County patients may not agree! Pulling together the holidays means lots of extra time on your feet: running errands, shopping, cooking, cleaning, decorating, and celebrating. How are your feet holding up at this time of the year? Follow the foot care tips below to help your feet make it across the holiday finish line safe and pain-free.

Make Time for Foot Care

Even though your to-do list may be long, now is not the time to cut corners on your foot care regimen.

• Keep feet clean and dry. Overheated malls, cars, and offices can lead to perspiring feet and the perfect breeding ground for fungal infections. Dust feet with powder in the morning, and carry an extra pair of socks to change when you notice feet feel sweaty and damp.
• Check nails and file any rough edges. Avoid tight socks and constricting tights or pantyhose, as well as shoes that cramp your toes to help avoid ingrown toenails.
• Massage a rich moisturizer into your feet before bed to prevent dry skin and heel cracks.
• Inspect feet daily for any unusual changes or symptoms that may indicate a foot problem.

Prevent Falls

As the temperatures fall and the amount of running around you need to do rises take extra care to watch where you walk.

• Look for the best-cleared path into stores and offices.
• Don’t carry too many packages at once—it will obstruct your view of what’s in front of you.
• Watch for a shiny sheen on pavement that may indicate ice.
• Carry a small plastic bag of cat litter in your jacket pocket in case there’s no way around an area you think may be slippery. Scatter in front of you for extra traction.

Choose Footwear Carefully

Comfortable, supportive shoes are the way to go to protect your feet this season.

• Make sure you’re wearing athletic or walking shoes that fit well for shopping days.
• Look for shoes with a gripping tread to help reduce fall risk during inclement weather.
• Wear sensible shoes to festive events and change into party shoes once you arrive.

Listen to Your Feet

If your feet hurt, take a break.

Better to get a few minutes behind in your schedule than to end up sidelined for the rest of the holiday season. If foot pain or discomfort does not diminish, contact our New Fairfield (203-746-9660) or Middlebury (203-598-0357) office for an appointment so that our podiatrist, Dr. Patrick J. Fettinger, can evaluate your feet and treat any podiatric problems.