Quick tips on how to look after your feet.
Alternate Shoes
Alternate shoes — don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.
Barefoot Cautions
Avoid walking barefooted — your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals always use sunblock on your feet, just as you do on the rest of your body.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, it is vital that you see a podiatrist at least once a year for a check-up.
Feet Inspection
Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in colour and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discoloured nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete's foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.
Feet Washing
Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.
Foot Pain
Don't ignore foot pain—it's not normal. If the pain persists, see a podiatrist.
Home Remedy Cautions
Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
Shoe Fit
Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.
Shoe Types
Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e. running shoes for running).
Toenails Trimming
Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.