Do your feet enjoy optimal foot health? After all, your feet are an integral and foundational part of your overall health and wellness. Feet are vulnerable to illness and injury, it's important to keep them healthy.  Your daily habits impact your feet. People may be unaware that some habits could undermine foot health, and create future problems.

Here are a few bad habits to be aware of, and leave behind altogether:

Going barefoot in communal spaces — walking barefoot in communal areas such as gym locker rooms, hotel rooms, and public pools can put you at risk of fungal infections. Keep your feet safe from plantar warts, athlete's foot, and other infections. Make sure to wear protective flip-flops or shower footwear.

Wearing sweaty socks and shoes — foot fungus loves wet, dark, and enclosed spaces. Wearing damp socks and shoes puts you at risk for athlete's foot and other fungal infections. Change your socks promptly, wash your feet, and let them dry before putting on a new pair. Wear socks that wick away moisture and make sure to air out your shoes properly. Switch your shoes from time to time.

Wearing ill-fitted shoes — wear shoes that do not compromise your foot health. The wrong shoes can cause many foot problems, including ingrown toenails, bunions, hammertoes, corns, and heel pain. It is essential to wear shoes that fit you properly, provide comfort, support your feet arches, and protect your feet. Save high-heel for special occasions. Toss out any worn-out shoes; they are likely to cause damage to your feet because of inadequate support.

Breaking certain habits can reduce your risk of any issues that could cause long-term problems with your feet. Take the best steps to keep feet healthy today and for years to come. Call Stuto Foot Specialist Podiatry located in Brooklyn, NY, at (718) 624-7537 or (718) 567-1403 to schedule an appointment with our team of board-certified podiatrists. Joseph C. Stuto, DPM, Joseph A. Stuto, DPM, and Momna Younas, DPM provide high-quality foot and ankle care to all patients.