A Traveler’s Guide to Ensuring Foot Health

Maintaining a proper foot care routine is not high on every traveler’s list while getting underway for a long-awaited vacation. With that in mind, we bring you a short guide to convince you to treat your feet with care even when you are in transit to ensure your foot health and safety.

Traveling for pleasure or work can lead to a lot of sitting in one place, narrow leg space, walking through community spaces, and standing in long lines. All these activities can take a toll on a traveler’s feet and cause pain in the feet and arches, injuries to the ankle, foot infections, and various podiatric issues. Here’s a list of few essentials to keep in mind before you pack your bags:

  • Pack the right footwear

Pick footwear according to the kind of place you will be visiting. It can save you from plantar fasciitis flare-ups, bruises, ankle sprains, and fractures. Flip-flops will be of no use on a trek to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Instead, pack a pair of sturdy shoes with good ankle and arch support.

  • Keep foot-care essentials with you

A travel case filled with your foot-care essentials like nail clippers, bandages, antibiotic creams, emery board, and moleskin can come in handy if you face cuts, scrapes, torn nails, blisters, or dry skin.

  • Bring along compression socks

If you anticipate long periods of sitting in a plane, bus, at a conference; then wear your compression socks to alleviate swelling in the feet. These socks also promote blood flow to the limbs. Ensure periodic breaks for stretches and walk to avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots.

  • Keep ample sunscreen

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends the use of a sunscreen of SPF 30 with a water-based formula on the sun-burn-prone areas of the feet. A painful sunburn can worsen by the constant rubbing of shoes along the burnt skin.

  • Stretch your feet and keep hydrated

Stretching the ball and arch of your feet on a bottle of water or a tennis ball can relieve sore feet. Elevate your feet to bring down the swelling. Good hydration encourages blood flow and keeps in check the muscles cramping from exertion.

If you incur a severe foot injury, sprained ankle, or fracture while traveling, seek immediate medical attention. If you are in Parsippany, New Jersey area, we at Step by Step Family Foot Care are at your service to address all your podiatric issues. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Debra B. Manheim, can evaluate your symptoms and treat you promptly. To schedule an appointment at your ease, contact us at (973) 917-3785.