As summer rapidly approaches, now is the time to take a good look at your feet. It is sandal season, but more than looking nice, healthy feet are a necessary component to overall good health.

Think about it. If your feet hurt, the rest of you isn’t too happy either. We abuse our feet while expecting a lot from them.

And being diabetic complicates things.

“People with diabetes are 10 times more likely to have a lower limb amputated than people without diabetes,” said Roy Corbin, podiatrist. “The disease can cause poor blood circulation and nerve damage in the feet, making them vulnerable to developing ulcers, infections, deformities and brittle bones.”

Corbin suggests these tips for good foot care:

. Inspect feet daily for injuries that could lead to dangerous ulcers. If there is loss of sensation in the foot, these things can crop up without realizing it.

. Gently wash feet in lukewarm – not hot – water every day, but don’t soak them for a prolonged period of time as that can cause dryness, especially if you are diabetic.

Moisturize feet, but avoid the area between the toes.

. Never trim corns or calluses, as this can lead to a serious infection.

. Trim toenails very carefully and never shorter than the end of the toe. Cut straight across or lightly follow the natural curve of the toe, and use an emery board to smooth to avoid rough edges.

. Inspect the insides of the shoes before wearing for any rough spots that may have developed.

“One of the biggest problems among seniors that I see in my practice is toenail disorders, fungal and bacterial conditions,” said Corbin. “Feet spend a lot of time in shoes which are a warm, humid and dark place. That is the perfect condition for fungus to grow.”

Since wearing shoes is not usually optional, Corbin has some more advice for avoiding these conditions and for keeping your feet healthy:

. Wear shoes that actually fit and replace them when they are worn out. When buying new shoes, shop later in the day when feet tend to swell, and put the new shoes on a flat surface before buying. Make sure they are level and don’t tilt in either direction, which could signal a manufacturer’s defect.

. Wear acrylic or wool socks because they wick away moisture from the feet, and change the socks often. Be sure they are not too tight, which can restrict circulation. Watch out for cotton socks, because they can mat over time and be abrasive.

. Alternate which pair of shoes you wear every day. Wearing the same pair all the time doesn’t give them a chance to dry out.

. Spray the inside of the shoes with a disinfectant. Let dry. Use an anti-fungal powder as prevention. Topical fungal treatments rarely work and oral medication may be necessary.

“The most common foot injury I see in my office is plantar fasciitis or heel pain,” Corbin. “Continual stress causes small tears in the plantar fascia, resulting in inflammation and eventually a heel spur. It is a painful condition.”

There are three principles of treatments for plantar fasciitis.

. Reduce the inflammation with ice and ibuprofen.

. Protect the plantar fascia from further trauma by taping the foot, using shoe inserts or wearing a shoe with a stiff shank that doesn’t bend in the middle of the arch, but rather across the ball of the foot.

. Stretch and strengthen the ankle, foot and calf muscles. If symptoms persist, you may need physical therapy.

Heed this advice and you’ll certainly put your best foot forward.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, toll-free (800) 432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org or visit www.eaaa.org. TTY 992-0150.