We’ve all heard that “hindsight is 2020”. For most of us, we can look back over our week, our year and our lives and the things that were once blurry somehow become perfectly clear and obvious. You might find yourself asking questions like, “Why did I do that?” and “Why didn’t I address this?” and making statements beginning with “I wish I would have…”. It’s easy to look back and regret, but we want to challenge you this NEW YEAR to look forward to the future. It’s never too late to be proactive about yourself, or your health and there’s never a better time than right now.
Here are our 2021 Da Vinci Tips to have a “regret-free” end to this year.
Regret-Free Actions to Make 2021 GREAT
We want you to start this new year on the ‘right foot’ and set yourself up for all the success in the world. Here are some action steps that you can implement for 2021 that will give you a solid foundation to move through the year with.
2021 Annual Appointment
Make your Da Vinci Foot and Ankle yearly appointment here. If you do this now, you won’t regret not doing it later. Even if you make your appointment for 6 months from now, having a set date for an annual exam will help to keep you accountable to go to it.
Address Issues When They Happen
Some of you may be regretting the fact that you didn’t address an issue when it reared its ugly head in 2020 and now you’ve gone into the New Year with an even bigger problem. Maybe you noticed a nagging ingrown toenail a few months ago and now it’s infected. Maybe you began to see signs of a fungal infection on one nail early last year and now it’s spread to all of your nails. We want to encourage you this New Year to address issues as they happen so that they are cut off at the source and aren’t given the free reign to worsen.
New In, Old Out
Let’s start out by bringing in the new and throwing out the old. Look around the house and in your closets and clothes drawers. Any sneakers or socks that have holes or that are extremely worn… throw them out! Yes! Even if you LOVE them… the risk to your feet outweighs the benefits of keeping them. Plus it’s good for your mental health!
Heels/Good Quality Shoes
Sometimes, minor repairs to the heels and soles of good quality shoes can be done by a reputable shoe repair place. Though, these are increasingly hard to find, we suggest you invest the time to do so in order to maintain the longevity of them and your feet.
Sneakers
Sneakers cannot be repaired, especially if they show excess wear on the outside or inside of the heels. However, this is valuable information to your Podiatrist. Therefore we suggest you either take a picture of the sneakers or save one pair for your Podiatrist’s evaluation.
Socks
Any socks that have holes in them are not “Holy” but very bad for your foot health. We recommend socks that have a blend of cotton and polyester material.This combination wicks moisture off of the foot. Cotton material will keep moisture on the foot and could potentially cause a fungal infection.
HAPPY HEALTHY FEET FOR 2021
Other foot tips for keeping your feet Happy and Healthy for 2021:
- Inspect your feet daily for cracks, ingrown toenails, rashes, blisters or sores. If you see any infection or cause of concern, call your Podiatrist immediately, don’t wait!
- Wash your feet daily and make sure you dry between the toes thoroughly. Your feet are the last body parts to be dried and can be easily overlooked. This would also be a good time to use a pumice like stone to smooth any callus’ that you feel. Never use any type of sharp object on your feet (don’t be a bathroom surgeon).
- Trim your toenails straight across, never in the corners, as this may cause ingrown toenails.
- Moisturize your feet daily, preferably with a cream. Never moisturize between the toes…this can cause a fungus and/or bacterial infection.
Lastly, be aware of foot deformities that you were not paying attention to. Like bunions, hammer toes, heel pain and non-healing sores. It is quite likely that your feet look different today than they did a year ago. Make 2021 the year you take care of your feet. And ask your Grandkids and Children how their feet are doing!
Prevention is the key to good foot health. We are given only one pair that has to last a lifetime…so let’s keep them happy and healthy for they are the foundation of our body.
TELEMEDICINE
We are now offering TELEMEDICINE as part of our practice. To learn more CLICK HERE!
CLICK HERE to book your next appointment at Da Vinci Foot and Ankle.
Lake Oconee, GA 706-999-9994
West Augusta, GA 706-597-0102
Madison, GA 706-999-9994