Tips for Keeping Your Feet Healthy During Fall Season

As we head into the fall season, the cooler weather and changing routines can bring a unique set of challenges for our feet. Here are some of the top concerns I see, along with some tips to keep your feet healthy and pain-free.

1. Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis) Fall often means a return to more structured shoes after a summer of sandals or barefoot walking. This sudden change in footwear, combined with harder walking surfaces, can put strain on the plantar fascia – the thick band of tissue under the foot – leading to heel pain.

Prevention & Care: Choose shoes with good arch support and cushioning. If you’ve been more active outdoors, ease into activities like hiking or running instead of ramping up suddenly. Gentle calf stretches and rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle can help relieve discomfort.

2. Ingrown Toenails Closed-toe shoes, especially if tight or narrow, can press on the toenails and cause them to grow into the surrounding skin. This can lead to pain, swelling, and infection.

Prevention & Care: Trim toenails straight across (not curved at the edges) and avoid cutting them too short. Make sure fall footwear allows enough room for your toes to move freely. If you notice redness, swelling, or pus, seek treatment early to prevent complications.

3. Dry, Cracked Heels The drop in humidity during fall, along with increased time in closed shoes, can dry out the skin on the feet. This dryness can lead to cracks, especially in the heels, which can become painful or infected.

Prevention & Care: Moisturize daily. After applying, wear cotton socks to help lock in moisture. Avoid overly hot showers, which can strip natural oils from the skin.

Taking a few small preventive steps now can go a long way toward keeping your feet healthy as the seasons change. If you’re already dealing with foot pain or other issues, don’t wait for them to worsen – fall is a great time to have them checked and treated, so you can stay active and comfortable through the colder months.

Feel free to contact me for any feet related concerns

Phone 613-680-8637

Email:yourfeetmatter@outlook.com