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If in any doubt always seek professional advice
As in all aspects of foot care, prevention is the key. You can help maintain healthy feet by following these rules:
Cut nails straight across
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not too short or into the corners, corners can be filed if sharp.
- If a nail is painful, digging into your skin, or your toe becomes inflamed get it checked out sooner rather than later.
- It is easier to cut nails after a bath or shower because they will be softened.
Moisturise your feet regularly (especially if you have dry skin).
- This reduces the chance of getting painful cracks in the dry skin.
Wash and dry your feet regularly and thoroughly.
- This stops feet getting
sweaty and odorous.
- Drying in between your toes reduces the risk of infection.
Go barefoot in the house (except diabetics and over 60s).
- In hot
weather this stops your feet getting sweaty and smelly.
- If diabetic or over 60 wear something comfy and supportive, to protect your feet.
Wear a range of different shoes.
- Chose shoes that are supportive, comfortable
(do not press/rub feet) and ideally a shoe that fastens to your foot (laces, velcro or a buckle are best).
- Vary heel height (only wear really high shoes on special occasions for a short period of
time.)
- Wear the right shoes for the job (if you are running wear running shoes, on the beach flip flops or sandals etc).
- Shop for shoes in the afternoon (your feet swell as the day goes on, if
shoes are comfortable in the afternoon they should be comfortable all the time).
- If in doubt ask for advice.
File any hard skin.
- use a pomestone or file just after
showering/bathing if you tend to get lots of hard skin.
- Once a week is usually enough (too often can make it worse).
Watch out for foot infections.
- Wear flip flops in communal changing
areas, showers and around swimming pools.
- Check your feet regularly.
Check your feet regularly for changes.
- Look for anything unusual and
new (cuts, bruises, moles).
- Look for changes in skin colour and texture.
- Look for changes in previous cuts, bruises, moles (size, shape, colour).
- If something worries you get it
checked out by a professional.
Keep your feet active.
- Regular exercise will keep your feet
mobile.
- Cool down and stretching are important after exercise to keep your feet free from aches and pains.
- After a long day on your feet putting them up for 10mins and massage helps circulation.
Get help if you need it.
- Don't put up with foot
pain, feet should not hurt.
- Basic hygiene and nail cutting may be all that's needed to keep your feet in good health.
- But when normal feet turn into problem feet, it's best to seek
professional help.
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