Check your feet regularly
Try to check your feet regularly, particularly if you have a health condition such as diabetes. Diabetes can reduce the blood and nerve supplies to the feet. This can mean that foot injuries don’t heal as quickly and foot wounds can go unnoticed. If your feet hurt or there is something wrong, you should visit a podiatrist who will advise on the best course of treatment.
Ensure you cut your nails regularly and carefully
To keep your feet in tip-top condition, you should trim your toenails regularly with good quality toenail clippers:
- Nails should be cut straight across - never down the sides or around the top.
- Cutting down the sides encourages in-growing toenails.
- Don’t cut them too short – they should be long enough to protect toes from pressure and trauma.
- Cutting them too short can also encourage ingrowing toenails.
If you find it difficult to cut your nails, we recommend contacting a podiatrist. Alternatively, Age Concern run a toenail cutting service in many areas. Trained professionals will deal with your feet and whilst there is still a charge, it is less than private podiatrists.
Keep skin soft and smooth
Dry, cracked heels can be painful as well as unsightly and are certainly nothing to smile about. If you have any rough, dry skin we recommend you apply a cracked heel cream to your feet, day and night. Look for products that contain urea, the skin’s own moisturiser. It helps to break down hard, thickened skin, helping to repair and relieve cracks, leaving it soft and supple.
Wear the right socks
When it comes to happy feet, wearing the right pair of socks can be just as important as wearing the right footwear. An uncomfortable, badly-fitting sock can spoil your day. It can also be bad for your health. Socks that pinch or dig-in can restrict your circulation whilst ones that don’t fit properly can rub and cause blisters. If you have diabetes or sensitive feet, we recommend a diabetic-friendly sock with a smooth toe-seam.
Choose correctly-fitting footwear
For comfort and foot health, it’s essential that you choose shoes that fit your feet correctly. Make sure there is a ½ inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoes and check that you have enough room for your toes to wriggle in the shoes. You should try on both shoes and walk a few steps to make sure that they don’t pinch or rub. There shouldn’t be any pressure on the joints on the side of the foot and the shoe shouldn’t slip at the back.
View our women's footwear and men's footwear to discover our collections.