Below we list the most common mistakes made in footcare at home and their negative impact which can cause foot pain. At Foot Focus your local podiatry clinic, we are here to help you preserve your feet in the long term but first we must avoid these common mistakes ;

1. Dry Thoroughly

After a shower or bath or any other reason why your feet may get wet, it is very important  to dry the entire foot well,  paying attention to the skin  between the toes . Humidity is harmful to the skin and encourages the proliferation of bacteria. In this way, we will prevent the appearance of fungal skin infections. Pay particular attention to the webspace of the baby toe, quite often it is difficult to dry this area yourself. If my be a good idea to get your chiropodist or podiatrist to thoroughly dry this area during your regular visits.

2. Medicated Corn Plasters

Hyperkeratosis, known as “Corns or Callus  ,” are the most common injuries to the foot. Its treatment consists of removing the thickened layer of skin.



Special attention must be paid to the  use of keratolytics . These treatments, whether in cream or patches, not only act in the area of ​​calluses, but also on healthy skin, causing maceration and skin burns. If these creams / pads are placed on the wrong area or left on for too long the underlying area will become burnt and very painful. At Foot Focus we would generally advise against using them. Corns and callus develop as a response to high pressure being applied to the skin. Another possible treatment to these issue is the use of orthotics which can help direct the high pressure area from the pain area. Thus reducing callus formation.

In addition, calluses can often be confused with a verruca on the foot , for this reason, our advice is to visit a podiatrist near you, who will apply the most appropriate treatment in an effective and safe way.

3. CUT ROUNDED NAILS

This is one of the most common mistakes that chiropodists see on a day to day basis. The  clip on the nail should be clean , without leaving irregular edges. Any sharp edges in the corner must be filed and smooth.  Don't not go too far down the side of the nail.

It is recommended to use nail nipper  instead of nail clippers or scissors. If you follow this advice to cut you toe nails, you will avoid the appearance of  ingrown toenail, which are quite annoying and painful.

If you are suffering from a potential ingrown nail please don't hesitate to contact the team at Foot Focus either through the website or via the phone on 015563662.



4. Are all creams created equal ?

Sometimes, the cream that we use to moisturize our hands or even our face is also used for our feet. Proper foot care means using a specific cream to  moisturise this area.



The skin we have on our feet is not the same as what we find on the rest of the body, it is much thicker, and can even be  50 times  thicker than the skin we have on our cheek. For this reason,  foot creams  are thicker, thus preventing dryness, cracks and even the appearance of calluses.

At Foot Focus we recommend the use of foot creams with high Urea content 10-40%. Remember do not apply cream in between your webspace as your feet already perspire there.

5. ABUSE OF NAIL PAINT

The abuse of nail pain is a common occurrence seen by many chiropodists. Prolonged use of nail polish on your feet or not removing them correctly can cause an increase in the level of moisture. This alteration creates an ideal environment for the development of a fungal nail . Fungi, being opportunistic organisms, take advantage of this situation to colonise the nail.



On the other hand, the use of  some types of polishes  such as long-acting ones can cause nail dystrophies or, in other words,  nail malformations . It should also be noted that the use of  strong shades of nail polish can cause the nails to begin to turn yellow  over time  .

For these reasons, it is advisable  not to abuse these types of products,  and if you use them, you must take the  appropriate precautions .



These are some of the  most common mistakes  we make when taking care of our feet. By following some simple tips we can  prevent the appearance of different pathologies,  thus taking care of the health of this area of ​​the body, which is so important for people.

If you have doubts about what is happening to your feet whether it be some of the conditions mentioned about or issues with bunions, orthotics or heel spurs. Don't think twice and come to your nearest Foot Focus clinic. Our team of experts will be happy to help and guide you.