Hiking presents a physical challenge for the muscles throughout your body, but also for the health of your feet. Failing to take proper care of your feet during a hiking trip can lead to a wide range of issues that will prompt you to visit your local podiatry clinic. While you can turn to this foot-care expert for any concerns that you have about your feet and ankles, it's always advantageous to make caring for your feet a priority on each hiking trip. Here are some specific things that you can do to lessen your likelihood of foot problems.

Invest In Proper Footwear

The right footwear for hiking can make a world of difference in helping you avoid foot issues. You might be tempted to simply hike with your running shoes, but this footwear isn't properly suited to the task. Hiking shoes or boots are up for the task because they have sturdy sides that provide you with ankle support. This can reduce the risk of rolling an ankle awkwardly on uneven terrain and developing a strain or a sprain. Additionally, hiking footwear has treads that are designed to provide a high degree of grip as you navigate challenging and changing environments.

You might be tempted to get a pair of used hiking boots from a friend, but the risk of doing so is that this footwear might not fit you correctly. When you wear boots that aren't suitable for your foot size, especially over a multi-hour hiking trip, you can easily develop blisters and other foot irritations that send you to a podiatrist's office. Additionally, when you wear someone else's boots, you can't guarantee that he or she didn't have plantar warts — which could infect you. It's best to buy new boots that fit you comfortably.

Pack Extra Socks

If you sweat profusely when you hike, it's a good idea to carry some extra socks in your backpack. When you sweat through the socks you're currently wearing, you can remove them and change into dry socks. Ideally, you can give your bare feet a few minutes to dry out before donning the new socks. When your feet stay wet for long periods of time, you're more likely to develop athlete's foot or other fungal conditions, given that fungus thrives in damp environments. The simple act of changing your socks can prevent a podiatry visit to athlete's foot care.