Caring for Your Feet on Campus
As you’re speed walking around campus the first few weeks to get to class on time, we sure hope you’re wearing the right shoes. Trust us — you don’t want to experience foot pain while getting your steps in this fall. The good news is there are ways to avoid this discomfort if you start thinking about your foot care right now.
The doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center have things you should do when caring for your feet on campus. They also want to warn you about absolute no-no’s for foot care. We always remind our patients that many foot problems start with shoe choice. You will see a lot of this mentioned in our recommendations below.
Visit a doctor before school starts
We recommend a visit to your family doctor, including a check on your feet. If your medical professional recommends a visit to a podiatrist, pay attention. Foot pain can worsen over time if untreated. There may be simple treatment options for pain relief.
Do not wear flip-flops for a long time
We see it all the time — college students walking around campus in their favorite pair of flip-flops. Most students own many pairs because they are affordable and come in many colors. Unfortunately, they offer very little arch support.
Pause activity that causes foot pain
Injuries happen — even if you don’t remember when or where. Ankle sprains are an example of a common injury that goes untreated. Unfortunately, lingering symptoms can cause discomfort later in life. If you have foot pain, visit the campus doctor.
Do not share shoes or walk barefoot
A campus is a communal space, and those germs can spread fast. Do you know how quickly a cold can run through a college suite? The same thing applies to foot infections, too. If you use the communal shower, always wear shower shoes.
Prioritize your foot care routine
You may be adjusting to a new schedule, but make sure to leave time for your foot care hygiene. Wash, dry, and moisturize your feet regularly. Trim your toenails properly. Inspect your feet and ankles for new sights and even smells.
Our board-certified team of foot and ankle doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.