Blog by our podiatrist: R.H. (Romy) van Heeswijck
Tips for good foot care
Of course, it is great to pamper yourself every now and then with a pedicure, a nice gel polish or a wonderful foot massage. But what can you do yourself at home to take proper care of your feet? In our practice, we regularly get questions about proper foot care. So in this blog some simple footcare advice for at home. Get your flip-flops and sandals out of the closet because the summer weather has started!
General advice:
- Wash your feet daily with a mild (alkali-free) soap. This is a type of soap, but ‘without soap’. This ensures that the skin's natural protective layer is not affected.
- The temperature of the water should not exceed 37°C. This is especially important for people with diabetes.
- After washing your feet, rinse them well so that no soap residue remains. Dry your feet well, especially between the toes and at the cuticles.
- Prevent dehydrated skin. Rub the skin regularly with a skin oil, baby oil or a skin-friendly cream.
- Check your feet daily. When doing so, do not forget to look under the sole of the foot and between the toes as well. Look for blisters, fissures, scratches, wounds, discolouration and differences in skin temperature.
- A foot bath is not advised for someone with diabetes, as the skin is already fragile. A foot bath softens the skin and, if you bump yourself, for example, wounds can occur more easily.
What to do
- When you have a wound try to keep it free of pressure and dirt.
- If you notice, that you have a wound(s) on your feet that does not want to heal contact your podiatrist or GP immediately. It is important that wounds are treated properly immediately.
- When you have wounds on your foot you may no footbath. This is because healing is hindered by the softening of the skin around the wound.
Other foot advice:
- Always wear well-fitting socks (preferably cotton or wool) in closed shoes, without (thick) seams and/or darning spots. If necessary, wear the socks turned inside out. Put on a pair of clean socks every day.
- Always cut your nails straight and not too short, to reduce the risk of ingrowing nail corners. Avoid sharp edges by filing the nails smooth with a file. If your nails split or crumble easily when cut, cut with small snips or use a nail file.
- Never pick, cut or cut calluses or corns yourself, but leave this to the pedicurist or podiatrist. Diabetics can go to a medical pedicure, pedicure with diabetes endorsement or to the podiatrist. Excessive calluses can be removed by yourself with a pumice stone remove. Do not use corn plasters or salicylic ointment yourself, these can cause wounds if left on your feet for too long.
- If you suffer from ‘chalk nails’ (these are actually fungal nails), ingrown nails or chaps, also contact your GP, podiatrist or podiatrist. There are multiples remedies to treat nail problems easily.
Get someone else to help you if:
- You can no longer take good care of your feet yourself. Then visit a pedicurist regularly.
- If your eyesight is very impaired, have someone else look at your feet regularly. Again, a good excuse to have your feet nicely taken care of by a pedicurist.
Questions
If you still have a question about foot care after reading this blog, you are always welcome to contact our practice. We will be happy to advise you!