Foot Hygiene

Good hygiene is important in preventing foot problems. You should wash your feet each day. You may want to get a foot tub to clean your feet before you start the inspection process. Use warm (90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) rather than hot water, and use nondrying soap to clean your feet thoroughly. Do not soak your feet in water because this can wash away essential skin oils that give your feet natural protection. Dry skin will crack, and any openings in the skin can let bacteria and viruses in, causing infection. When you are finished washing your feet, rinse the soap off and thoroughly dry your feet with a clean and dry towel, being sure to dry between each toe. To ensure that your skin does not become overdry, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to the tops and soles of your feet, gently rubbing it in and avoiding the areas between your toes. Lotion between your toes can lead to excessive moisture and cause the skin to break down, which may lead to an infection. Many people use talcum power to ensure that the areas between the toes stay dry.

After washing and inspecting your feet, trim your nails straight across to ensure that the edges do not become ingrown in the sides of the toes. If your nails are thick, you should have a podiatrist trim them for you. Before taking care of any corns or calluses (excess thick skin often found on the heel area), ask your podiatrist how you can do this at home. Using a pumice stone while your skin is still moist is helpful to gently smooth excess skin on your heels as well as calluses and corns. Avoid using over-the-counter chemical products to treat your calluses or corns, or using sharp instruments such as scissors, scalpels, or razor blades unless instructed by your doctor. These types of treatments may damage your skin, which can lead to infection.

If you find that you have calluses or corns on your heels and toes, this may be evidence of improper footwear. It is very important that your socks and shoes fit your feet well. Socks without thick seams or those that are seamless are better for your feet. Shoes that offer a wide toe box, smooth liners, good support, and breathable materials will be best for your feet. Vinyl and plastic are not good materials for shoes because they do not allow your feet to breathe. Furthermore, you should not wear shoes without socks because they will allow your foot to sweat and become too moist, which can lead to skin breakdown. Your socks offer extra protection from friction that your skin encounters inside a shoe, which will prevent blisters and cuts. Because of the increased risk of cuts, you should avoid going barefoot, especially in places where there may be broken glass such as in parks or at the beach.