Ensuring Foot Safety during Air Travel

Are you planning a vacation involving air travel in the coming months? Flying somewhere far away is exciting, but it can tough on your feet, and a podiatric illness or injury can ruin a long-anticipated adventure. Here are some tips from Dr. Eric Kosofsky and Dr. Robert Rutstein to keep you healthy when you fly:

• Regulations require most passengers to remove their shoes at security. Don’t go barefoot in areas when thousands of others do! This exposes you to athlete’s foot, plantar warts, toenail fungus, and other unpleasant infections.

• Low cabin pressure and dry air can be dehydrating. Prevent swollen feet and dangerous blood clots. Don’t sit in a cramped airline seat for long without moving around. Get up and walk the aisle of the plane every hour or two.

• Avoid salty foods for a day or two before your trip. Be sure to drink plenty of water while you fly. Skip caffeinated beverages, which can be dehydrating as well.

• Store your bags in the overhead compartment when possible. This will allow your legs more room to stretch.

• Don’t cross your legs. Crossing your legs while you sit can inhibit circulation.

• If you use compression stockings to limit edema, be sure to wear them when you fly.

• Pack a foot first aid kit and take it on your trip. Include some antibiotic ointment, assorted bandages, an instant ice pack, tweezers for removing foreign objects, and a nail clipper to trim and prevent ingrown toenails.

Of course, the best thing you can do to promote foot health before, during, and after travel is to see your foot doctor regularly. With years of specialized training and experience, a board-certified podiatrist like Eric Kosofsky, DPM and Robert Rutstein, DPM is a medical specialist and the best-qualified doctor to care for this part of your body. Schedule an appointment in our modern, comfortable Hartford and Rocky Hill offices. Call the friendly Hartford Podiatry Group staff at 860-523-8026 or click here to get started today.