5 Tips for Foot care

1. Smooth It Out.

Make it a habit to use a pumice stone or foot file on damp heels and calluses. Doing so will keep your feet looking good in open-back shoes.

First, soak your feet in water or a foot bath for 10 to 15 minutes to help soften the skin. Then gently remove the thickened skin with a pumice stone. New York podiatrist Isaac Tabari, DPM, recommends a warm foot bath made of black tea (tannic acid). Tannic acid, he says, is a natural antibacterial agent that may reduce the chance of getting athlete’s foot.

2. Moisturize.

If your heels are very dry and cracked, see a podiatrist or dermatologist for a prescription treatment. If they’re not that bad, there are plenty of moisturizing products from which to choose.

First, you might try some medicated heel pads, which don't need a prescription, to soften calluses while you walk. After you’ve exfoliated the calluses, use a heavy cream to moisturize tough skin on your heel.

3. Fight Fungus.

Over-the-counter antifungal treatments come in many forms -- lacquers, creams, lotions, liquids, spray powders, and spray liquids. These products work best on mild cases of athlete’s foot, and probably not at all with toenail fungus, which is difficult to treat.  

No matter the form, they have one of the following active ingredients, which are all equally effective:  terbinafine, tolnaftate, miconazole, ciclopirox, or clotrimazole. Tabari says tea tree oil, sometimes called melaleuca oil, also works well on mild cases of athlete’s foot.

4. Wear Sunscreen.

Wear sunscreen on the tops of your feet. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your feet when you're going barefoot or wearing open sandals. 

5. Get Support.

Standing for a long time can make your feet sore. Wearing insoles can help make shoes more comfortable.

·         Look for insoles that have a plastic shell at the bottom. Podiatrists say the shell makes them strong enough to provide real support.