Taking care of your feet

[Salinda]

Hi everyone, please can I ask how you all take care of your feet? When I went for my annual review, the nurse noticed a discoloured big toe nail and some hard skin on the side of my foot. She stressed how important it is to look after your feet but apart from telling me never to go bare foot, I can't remember any other advice. I will be making an appointment to see a chiropodist but wondered if there was any advice you could give me.

 

[Steff]

Here you go Salinda

Wash your feet every day with lukewarm (not hot) water and mild soap.
Dry your feet well, especially between the toes. Use a soft towel and pat gently; don't rub.
Keep the skin of your feet smooth by applying a cream or lanolin lotion, especially on the heels. If the skin is cracked, talk to your doctor about how to treat it.
Check your feet every day. You may need a mirror to look at the bottoms of your feet. Call your doctor if you have redness, swelling, pain that doesn't go away, numbness or tingling in any part of your foot.
Don't treat calluses, corns or bunions without talking to your doctor first.
Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. It might help to soak your toenails in warm water to soften them before you cut them. File the edges of your toenails carefully.
Don't let your feet get too hot or too cold.
Don't go barefoot.

 

[gillianre]

I also got told off - but mine was for wearing nail polish on my toe nails!! 😱

 

[Caroline]

Keep your feet clean, make sure they are properly dry after washing, especially between the toes. Check them daily to make sure there are no cuts or blisters or anything. If necessary moisturise. The advice to never go barefoot is incase we tread on something and damage our selves. I find it difficult to trim my own toe nails so hubby does mine for me.

Try to go for seemless socks as these are less prone to rubbing and get good well fitting shoes. I get my shoes from Cosy Feet, but there are many good makes out there.

Hope this helps, some one else is sure to have more advice to offer

 

[Andy HB]

I also got told off - but mine was for wearing nail polish on my toe nails!! 😱

Did they give a reason why? That sounds daft to me.

Andy 🙂

p.s. I wonder whether I need to remove my Union Flag painted nails? 😉

 

[Steff]

I also got told off - but mine was for wearing nail polish on my toe nails!! 😱

Madness,unless I have missed something I always have my toenails painted and have never had any of my team tell me off for that 😱

 

[Steff]

Did they give a reason why? That sounds daft to me.

Andy 🙂

p.s. I wonder whether I need to remove my Union Flag painted nails? 😉

Andy I found this "Wearing tight-fitting shoes and layers of nail polish increases the risk of developing toenail fungus"

 

[Andy HB]

Andy I found this "Wearing tight-fitting shoes and layers of nail polish increases the risk of developing toenail fungus"

Makes sense, now.

But I'd imagine if you paint your toe nails and wear open shoes that'd be safer. Also, I'd guess you'd need to remove the nail polish promptly.

I would have thought all the noxious chemicals involved would clobber any fungus!

 

[Copepod]

Wearing opaque nail varnish makes it difficult for health professionals to examine feet, so I can understand why it's best not to wear nail varnish when going for a review. Nail varnish is always removed from fingers and toes before an operation, as pressing nail and watching return of colour is a vital check of blood circulation.

Very different to wearing nail varnish in general life.

 

[bigpurpleduck]

My toenails are always painted. My podiatrist has told me that, so long as I remove the old varnish before repainting, this is fine.

 

[evedan]

I have numbness in my feet so i have to be extra careful.....i go to an NHS podiatrist and has my nails cut, i also have a corn on my little toe and it drives me mad with pain i was told never to put moisturising cream between my toes so i use surgical spirit on cotton buds as i have had some cracks of broken skin and that really does work!!! 🙂 Shoes is another issue i have to have a wide fitting and a thickish sole for comfort as it feels as though i am walking on pebbles 🙄

 

[HOBIE]

I used to spend 3 times a week in the north sea. Wet suit and all. Am sure that did my feet the world of good in the salt wet stuff ! 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Are there any good foot-creams that can be used to moisturise the feet. I wash my feet daily and always check underneath;in between toes and ensure my nails are cut straight across. I have used some cream for cracked heels from the chemist which was suitable for those with diabetes. I would like to keep my feet soft.

Many thanks, Amanda 🙂

 

[Steff]

Are there any good foot-creams that can be used to moisturise the feet. I wash my feet daily and always check underneath;in between toes and ensure my nails are cut straight across. I have used some cream for cracked heels from the chemist which was suitable for those with diabetes. I would like to keep my feet soft.

Many thanks, Amanda 🙂

Amanda Lush do a foot cream called fair trade it contains almond oil peppermint spearmint and cocoa butter its abit steep at around ?8.95 but its really good.Flexitol is also a good cream for your feet.

 

[Vicsetter]

Are there any good foot-creams that can be used to moisturise the feet. I wash my feet daily and always check underneath;in between toes and ensure my nails are cut straight across. I have used some cream for cracked heels from the chemist which was suitable for those with diabetes. I would like to keep my feet soft.

Many thanks, Amanda 🙂

Get your GP to prescribe you Flexitol - you need something with 25% urea in it, which this has.