{"id":10420,"date":"2020-07-27T16:00:09","date_gmt":"2020-07-27T21:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=10420"},"modified":"2022-01-27T13:21:19","modified_gmt":"2022-01-27T19:21:19","slug":"your-feet-deserve-some-love-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/your-feet-deserve-some-love-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Your feet deserve some love this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Looking for a podiatrist?<\/p>\n

Find one near you<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Summertime means sandals, flip-flops and going barefoot while playing in the yard with the kids.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith summer and the warm weather, people want to throw inexpensive flip-flops on and things like that. That can be very dangerous to your feet,\u201d warned Marc Leonard, DPM<\/a>, an OSF HealthCare podiatrist.<\/p>\n

But a foray with flip-flops doesn\u2019t mean you are destined for foot injuries.<\/p>\n

Spend a little more for support<\/h2>\n

Dr. Leonard said avoid cheaply made flip flops and sandals. Spending the extra money could be a good investment for your overall foot health.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think sandals and flip flops are fine for some people. If you have no foot problems, you\u2019re not diabetic, you have good sensation, probably a well-made supportive sandal with arch support would be just fine,\u201d Dr. Leonard said. \u201cHowever if you do have those problems, and you are diabetic<\/a> or you are neuropathic<\/a>, then those things have to be cautiously worn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Have foot pain?<\/h2>\n

Sometimes, however, even the best pair of shoes can\u2019t mask issues that need attention. If foot pain<\/a> persists, you should seek the help of a specialist.<\/p>\n

\u201cPain is not normal. So if there is pain, if there\u2019s discomfort, if there\u2019s changes in your feet, collapsing to the feet, those are good times to see a podiatrist,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Find the right fit<\/h2>\n

Dr. Leonard said there is no perfect pair of shoes. He encourages people to spend time shopping to make sure they have the right fit for the summer footwear.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe cautious. Try them on in the store, get a good, supportive, well-made shoe, and I think that\u2019s the best way to go about it,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n

Summer foot care tips<\/h2>\n

\"FamilyThe American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) provides the following summer foot care tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n