People say that men don’t go to the doctor as readily as women do. Is this perception fact or fiction? Do men truly avoid going to the doctor? Well, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control published a study that concluded that “Women are 100% more likely than men to seek preventative health care.” Wow – 100% more likely! So the reality is that a lot of men really dotend to neglect their health.

Expert podiatrists Dr. Chanda L. Day-Houts and Dr. Heidi M. Christie are observing Men’s Health Month in June. We say that what’s true about men’s health, in general, is also true about men’s foot health. So men who suffer from foot pain should heed this piece of advice from us:

Don’t neglect your feet. Foot pain isn’t normal. Help is just a phone call away.

Men have one advantage over women in the foot department, and that is that most men don’t wear high heels, the cause of so many female foot problems. But there are still issues that plague a man’s foot, especially if they’re athletes or spend a lot of hours working on their feet. These include

• Ingrown toenails– toenails that are cut without too much care may be too short or too curved, both of which can result in ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails can be very painful and are prone to infection. Avoid them by taking care to cut toenails straight across and not too short.
• Corns and calluses – feet that have been subjected to repeated pressure or friction from shoes can develop thickened skin, often on the balls, heels, and toes. Corns and calluses that don’t bother you require no specific treatment. But if they cause pain or look frightful, Dr. Christie and Dr. Day-Houts can either safely remove them or prescribe custom orthotics that relieve pressure.
• Diabetic foot concerns– men with diabetes can’t fool around when something goes wrong with their feet. Diabetic men, especially, need to defy statistics and see a podiatrist at least once a year for preventative care.

Expert preventative care and total treatment of foot ailments can be found in downtown Montgomery, AL at Montgomery Foot Care Specialists. Call us for an appointment at (334) 396-3668 or contact us online.