Need to Travel? Take Care of Feet and Ankles While You Do
Many families are staying home to stay safe in the summer of 2020, but what will you do if work or a family situation means you’ve got to head to the airport for travel? Not only does a day of airline travel increase your exposure to others and necessitate increased virus vigilance, it can be very taxing on foot health. You’re also going to need to be proactive in protecting feet, ankles, and lower legs. Here are some important tips from Cook County podiatrist Dr. Stavros O. Alexopoulos.
COVID-19
- Wear a mask at all times at the airport and on the plane. The science is conclusive. It is essential to help control the transmission of the coronavirus.
- Wash and sanitize hands frequently, especially after touching high-contact surfaces like escalator railings or elevator buttons.
- To the extent possible, avoid contact with others. Check your own bags and print your boarding pass. Sit at a nearby gate instead of in the midst of a crowd.
Feet and Ankles
- Reduce the likelihood of uncomfortable edema (swelling) by wearing a comfortable pair of shoes with laces. These will fit feet more snugly than slip-on. Be sure to drink plenty of water. It will help your body continue to flush excess fluid.
- Keep feet safe from plantar warts and other fungal infections. Don’t go barefoot through security lines or on the plane. Wear shoes with socks, not sandals.
- Take steps to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a dangerous blood clot that forms in the lower legs. DVT is often the result of extended periods of inactivity. Be sure to stand up periodically and walk on long flights, even if it’s just a brief, masked walk to the restroom.
Are you worried about the effects of recent or upcoming travel on your feet, ankles, or lower legs, or do you have another concern about their health and wellness? Schedule a visit with Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today. Call the modern, friendly My Chicago Foot Expert staff at (773) 561-8100 or click here to get started.
