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News You Can Use August 21, 2025

Foot Health 101 01While feet can play a large role in helping people maintain an active lifestyle, foot health can often be overlooked. Good foot care is an important aspect of one’s overall health. That is why experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy recommend taking a proactive approach.

Brent Haverstock, DPM, a podiatrist and the co-director of the UAB Advanced Limb Preservation Clinic, offers the following tips for how to prioritize foot health.

Avoid walking barefoot

Due to the lack of protection and support offered by shoes, walking barefoot can be risky.

“Walking barefooted can result in abrasions to the feet or potentially stepping on a foreign object possibly resulting in a retained foreign body that needs to be removed,” Haverstock said. “These can cause a foot infection and can be a very serious medical problem.”

Sun protection

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons warns that the skin on the feet is highly susceptible to skin cancer, including melanoma — the most serious form of skin cancer — and can be fatal if not caught early.

“When you’re barefooted or wearing sandals at the beach, use sunscreen on your feet to protect them from the sun,” Haverstock said. “Sunburns on the feet are very common as most people stop the application at their ankles. Apply sunscreen to the entire foot, including your toes.”

In addition to applying sunscreen, check the feet and toes regularly for abnormal-looking moles or freckles. If there are any abnormal marks on the foot, schedule an appointment with a health care provider to get them examined.

Choose supportive footwear

Haverstock recommends selecting shoes that fit well and are comfortable.

“Wear well-fitting shoes that provide adequate arch support and a firm heel counter,” Haverstock said. “This is important as the weather becomes conducive to long exercise walks. The summer brings many formal functions such as weddings and anniversaries, so be careful with high-heeled shoes particularly in areas with uneven surfaces.”

Choose a shoe with a firm foundation that bends where the foot bends. To test a shoe’s foundation, grab the heel of the shoe, place the toe of the shoe box into the ground and press down. If the shoe folds in areas the foot does not bend, it is too flexible and will not provide enough support. Avoid shoes with flat soles, and find a shoe that offers built-in arch support. This provides support across the entire foot and allows for greater balance and stability.

This year, UAB launched a first-of-its-kind fellowship in Alabama — the Advanced Podiatric Limb Salvage and Reconstruction Fellowship.

Prioritize foot hygiene

It is important to focus on foot hygiene since poor foot hygiene can lead to athlete’s foot, diabetes, fungal infections and hookworm.

“With the heat and humidity of summer, the feet will perspire,” Haverstock said. “Wash your feet daily with warm water and antibacterial soap, paying special attention to the spaces between your toes. Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes, to prevent fungal infections. Regular foot washing can help to control foot odor.”

Keep toenails short and clean, and change socks once a day. Check the feet regularly for cuts, sores, swelling, dryness and infected toenails, and apply treatment as needed.

Exercise

Regular exercise is very important for maintenance of a healthy lifestyle, including foot health.

“Walking can help improve circulation and maintain healthy feet,” Haverstock said. “Carrying out gentle stretching exercises of the feet and lower legs along with isolated foot exercises can help improve function and walking.”

UAB advances podiatric education

UAB is committed to advancing podiatric care among its patients and students. This year, the UAB Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy launched a first-of-its-kind fellowship in Alabama — the Advanced Podiatric Limb Salvage and Reconstruction Fellowship, directed by Kyle Mauk, DPM.

Mauk says this new training opportunity will be unique in that it is at a large academic teaching institution, allowing fellows to gain experience with complex pathologies and comorbid conditions, as well as the resources, cutting-edge technology and multidisciplinary team approach that sets UAB apart. He looks forward to training aspiring podiatric surgeons, many of whom he hopes will stay in Alabama.

“The UAB program stands out because it’s integrated within a larger academic medical center, giving our fellows access to a range of resources and expertise that aren’t available in smaller community-based programs,” Mauk said. “UAB is an excellent institution to train in — we’ve seen that across multiple specialties for years. And now, it’s nice that we podiatric surgeons can be included in that mix.”

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