Heal your heels

The sun is shining, and you feel you can no longer hide your poor feet in shoes and socks.  The trouble is, you're worried about showing them off in public.  Where do you start?

The tools you'll need for some basic home foot care are some nail clippers or nippers, a nail file, a double sided foot file and some foot cream. 

Cut your toenails following the shape of your toes, and don't go too short.  File off any rough bits or sharp corners.  If taking care of your nails is challenging, seek professional help. 

Now take your foot file and gently use it to smooth away hard or dead skin.  Start with the coarser side, and finish off with the other side.  The hard skin often accumulates on the balls of the feet and the heels.  If it's a big job, don't despair.  A Foot Health Professional or Podiatrist can remove hard skin safely if there's a lot there, and with regular maintenance at home (2-3 times a week) your filing will pay off.  Don't be tempted to cut off hard skin yourself.  After filing your feet, apply a rich moisturising cream and pop a pair of socks on.  Rest with your feet up and let the cream do its work.

These are simple steps, but a little regular care can make a big difference to how your feet look and feel.