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Many foot complaints are avoidable if people take the right precautions. Those that do develop can often be easily resolved if addressed in their early stages. A Findlay podiatrist offers the following tips to keep feet healthy, attractive and pain-free.

Wear the appropriate shoe for the activity. Invest in protective footwear before participating in a sport or trying out a new form of exercise. There is no such thing as an all-purpose athletic shoe. Footwear designed with the right kind of ankle support, cushioning and tread can help to prevent injuries such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis and sprained ligaments.

Limit time spent in uncomfortable fashion footwear. Wearing shoes with high heels, pointy toes and a narrow fit can lead to calluses, blisters, bunions and metatarsalgia. Glamorous shoes are often a cause of ankle injuries, especially in situations involving drinking and dancing. When out on the town in killer heels, always carry a spare pair of comfy flats.

Trim your toenails straight across. Cut the top evenly with a nail clipper, leaving some white nail visible above the bed. Trimming down the sides can lead to ingrown toenails. Cutting toenails too short can make them more vulnerable to fungal infections. Anyone with poor circulation or diabetes should have their toenails cut by a trained health care professional.

Inspect your feet for signs of disease. Thickened, yellowed or crumbling toenails could be caused by a fungal infection called onychomycosis. Moist, cracked skin between the toes or flaky, scaly soles of the feet are symptoms of athlete's foot. Red swellings on the toes or sides of the feet could develop into painful corns or bunions.

The Findlay podiatrist encourages anyone with a suspected foot or ankle problem to seek immediate medical attention. Home remedies are generally ineffective and may even make the condition worse. Minor foot injuries, infections or abnormalities can progress into serious disorders.