The skin on our feet is the thickest of anywhere on our bodies. It has to be strong to cope with the pressure put on it. The trouble is, the skin cells on our feet grow extremely quickly as a protective response to anything from ill-fitting shoes or walking barefoot a lot. Even the way we walk can cause skin to grow more thickly in certain areas. Dry, hard patches of skin can build up on the heel and ball of the foot as well as the side of the big toe. Left untreated, this can form painful calluses. Here’s a few tips to treat hardened skin:

• It’s better to tackle it regularly than have one brutal scrape every now and then.
• Give your feet a good soak in warm water. You can add stuff to the water to help break down tough skin. Just a squeeze of citrus or a little milk will do – both contain natural acids. Ten minutes in the bath should be enough.
• Rub down feet with a pumice stone or foot file while they’re still wet. Scrubs are great for general exfoliation but won’t do much for hard skin on feet.
• Dry off your feet completely and then finish with an intensive moisturising cream. You can get the full benefit by slathering on lots of cream and letting it soak in while you wear cotton socks.
• If your feet are very cracked and callused, it’s worth going to see  a podiatrist. Don’t attempt to cut the skin yourself as there’s a risk of infection occurring. Diabetics and people with poor circulation should steer clear of foot files altogether and seek professional help for all foot-related issues.

Scary toenails

• Bad things can happen to toenails. We paint them with dark polishes and leave them yellow and stained. We trim them badly or wear tight-fitting shoes that cause ingrown nails.
• Yellowing toenails can be filed gently and then wiped with a little lemon juice or lavender oil.  Some people swear by whitening toothpaste or there are specialised products available. Prevent further staining by always using a top coat before painting on coloured lacquer. If nails become thickened, yellow and unsightly then chances are you have a fungal infection and you’ll need to see a podiatrist.
• Always trim and file your toenails into a square shape. Rounding down the ends creates pressure on the nail and can cause it to grow inwards.
• Care for cuticles by applying a little oil – you can just use olive oil if you don’t want to invest in cuticle cream. Then push back with a cuticle stick or cotton bud.
• Cleanse away any oil or cream before applying polish. Just wipe nails with a little remover first.