Be Good to Your Feet This Holiday Season

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,”—but not for your feet! At Goldsmith Podiatry we know that the shopping, cooking, waiting in endless lines, socializing, and other activities associated with the holiday season can leave your feet feeling a little Grinchy. There are, however, ways to help your feet be of good cheer.

Keep them dry. Fur-lined boots, overheated stores and running from place to place can make a pair of feet mighty sweaty! There’s nothing that invites a fungal infection like a warm, moist environment. Have an extra pair of socks in your bag and change them whenever your feet feel damp.

Minimize time in heels. We get it; your chunky flats don’t exactly complete your festive holiday outfit. If you must wear heels, reduce the amount of time you spend in them. Wear sensible shoes to the party and change into heels when you arrive. Long hours spent in high heels that force the foot forward increase the risk for several foot problems including bunions, hammertoes and ingrown toenails.

Treat your feet—safely. If a professional pedicure is a way that your give your feet a relaxing break, be sure that the salon you use follows safe sanitizing procedures. It’s also a good idea to bring your own clippers, files, and other nail tools to reduce the risk of infection.

Choose footwear by the weather. When the forecast is “slippery” it’s essential that you have shoes or boots with a sturdy, gripping tread, and a wide, stable heel to avoid ankle sprains and falls. Make sure you’re not carrying so many packages that you can’t see the ground in front of you.

Pace yourself. Try to space out your shopping and errand running. Put your feet up whenever you can. If you start to experience foot pain, take a break. If it persists, contact our Upper West Side Manhattan office at (212) 877-1002 for an appointment so that our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia, can examine your feet and get to the source of your discomfort.