Put a spring in your step: Top tips for healthy feet

Generally speaking, when it comes to skin care, our faces take priority. No cream or serum is too expensive, and no home remedy too wacky in pursuit of the perfect complexion. But there are other parts of your body that also need a bit of TLC. Your feet, for example.

Our feet barely receive the attention they deserve. Despite the fact they carry us around every day, we stuff them into pointy-toed heels or sweaty running shoes and pretty much neglect them most of the time.

If you want to keep your feet healthy and happy, you need to look after them.

Here are seven ways to treat your feet as they deserve to be treated.

Keep your feet clean and dry

Healthy feet start with good hygiene. Thoroughly clean and scrub your feet with soap and water when you bathe. And dry them well afterwards. Fungal organisms love moisture, so depriving them of any wetness will make it more difficult for them to thrive.

Take extra care to dry between the toes, as this the perfect environment for a fungal infection to begin.

Exfoliate and moisturise your feet

For soft feet, remove dead skin cells and improve circulation by gently scrubbing them with a pumice stone. But don’t scrub too hard, as it’ll promote a thick and protective layer of skin to grow.

After you’ve exfoliated, you’ll need to put some moisture back. As the skin on the feet is thick, a regular moisturiser may not cut it, but an oil-based lotion will be fine. Good old petroleum jelly is a great option.

Clip your toenails properly

Ingrown toenails result from improper toenail trimming. To avoid them, clip your toenails straight across and file them into the desired shape. Many people try to cut their toenails into a rounded shape, but this can cause them to grow inwards. Ouch! If in doubt, get a professional to do it.

Wear the right shoes

Knowing your foot type will help you choose the right shoes. If your feet are flat, you need shoes with arch support. If you have high arches, choose shoes that support the balls of your feet and heels. A podiatrist can help you work out your foot type.

Shoes that are too tight can cause long-term foot problems, so don’t choose vanity over comfort. If you have a wider foot, find shoes in the wide fit range with a rounded toe, and a wide, stable heel.

Although they look good, pointed shoes cramp your toes, and doing this long term can lead to all sorts of problems, from calluses to bunions and arthritis.

An extra tip here is to shop for shoes in the afternoon. Your feet swell as the day goes on and if shoes fit in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest, you can be assured they’ll always be comfortable.

Examine your feet for problems

Inspect your feet once a week, after a bath or shower. As you’re drying them, look out for scaling on the soles of your feet and peeling between your toes. These can signal athlete’s foot. Also, look for discoloration of the nails, as this can indicate a nail fungus.

If you have diabetes, you should be inspecting your feet every day, as diabetes leads to higher risk of foot sores and infections.

And regular examinations become even more important once you hit 60. Age takes its toll: your skin thins, your joints stiffen and your feet become more vulnerable to the cold. So make sure you book in a foot MOT with a professional every six months.

Get regular pedicures

Our feet are exposed to a lot of damage throughout the day. The best way to ensure they stay healthy is to book regular appointments with a pedicurist for deep exfoliation and skin renewal treatments.