Celebrated each year during June, Men’s Health Month brings awareness to the health issues all men face. This is an annual observance aimed at raising awareness of preventable health problems and encouraging early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This includes men’s feet! Let’s encourage the health of men’s feet with some simple tips.

There are some simple things men can do to protect the health of their feet:

• Protect your feet while out in public. Public locker rooms and showers can be hot spots for bacteria. The warm and humid environment inside is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Try to wear shower sandals to protect your feet from exposure to bacteria that cause conditions such as Athlete’s feet.
• Exfoliate. Many people think exfoliation is only for women who want smooth and beautiful skin, but it’s just as good for men. Exfoliating can help remove bacteria and dirt buildup in your feet. It’s best to do it at least once or twice a week with a good quality scrub to keep your feet healthy. 
• Keep the front and soles of the feet clean. In general, keeping your feet clean is the best way to care for your foot health. While washing your feet you can keep a keen eye on any changes, bumps, or discoloration. These changes can be a sign of a circulatory health issue or an early indication of foot infections for diabetics.
• Keep an eye on your ankles. It’s important to note any change of color or swelling around the ankles. Swelling around the ankles may indicate high blood pressure. Swelling can also be a sign of a recent sprain or injury to your ankle. You can apply ice packs and bed rest to improve the swelling of the ankle, but you ought to contact a podiatrist if the swelling persists.

At Atlantic Foot and Ankle Specialists, Melissa Robitaille, DPM, and Todd Newsom, DPM can treat all types of foot and ankle disorders, including bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and heel pain. Equipped with leading-edge technologies such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and laser surgery for toenail fungus, we provide specialized, compassionate service for patients in the Pooler, Georgia area of Chatham County. For any pain and discomfort you are experiencing with your feet and ankles, contact us today at (912) 988-3323.