Happy Feet, Happy life: Essential foot care tips

Why is Foot Care Important?

Maintaining healthy feet enables you to remain mobile, independent and active. Through regular foot care, you can prevent common ailments such as corns, fungal infections, and ingrown toenails. This preventative care becomes especially crucial if you have diabetes or circulation problems. 

General Hygiene for everyone

	Wash feet with mild soap and water (Avoid soaking, particularly if you have diabetes, as this may lead to skin breakdown.) Ensure your feet are thoroughly dried, paying special attention to the spaces between toes.
	Apply moisturiser to all areas of your feet, avoiding the spaces between toes. Gently massage the moisturiser into skin until it is fully absorbed completely before walking.
	Change socks or stockings daily. Maintain clean and dry shoes, alternating to a different pair if they become wet. Always wear appropriate footwear while at home.

Special Considerations 

For those with diabetes, proper foot care is especially critical, as reduced circulation and nerve damage can result in serious complications. If you have diabetes, please visit Foot care | Diabetes Hub for detailed guidance and specific precautions regarding diabetic foot care. 

Essential Guide to Proper Foot Care

1. Nail Know-How: Trimming & Filing Guide 

When toenails grow too long or thick, they become challenging to manage at home independently. Maintain your toenails by filing or trimming them regularly, ensuring they never extend beyond the tip of your toes. 

Using a nail file to keep your nails trim & tidy
Position the file at a right angle to your toe to file the nail shorter.	Position the file parallel to your toe to reduce the nail’s thickness.	File down sharp corners.

Trimming your nails with a nail clipper
Trim your toenails in a straight line across.	For those who struggle to see your toenails clearly, specialized nail clippers with built-in magnifiers are available.  These can be from rehabilitation equipment suppliers or from online retailers.

DO NOT: 

• Cut the nails too short (e.g. ensure white nail border remains visible)

• Trim the corners or sides of the nails 

• Share personal nail care equipment 

• Attempt to treat areas that are red, inflamed or show signs of infection (such as pus or blisters). These symptoms may suggest an ingrown toenail and interfering could aggravate the condition 

2. Caring for Callus

Calluses are a common foot condition where the skin thickens due to excessive pressure, shear forces, or friction. These can develop when footwear rubs against skin, when shoes lack proper cushioning, when the shoes do not have an ankle fastening (such as shoe laces), or when the existing ankle fastening aren’t secured properly. Mild calluses can be managed effectively using urea cream and foot files. 

Tools you need:

1. Gently file the callused area back & forth 10 times. If thickness persists, you may repeat
   CAUTION: Never over-file, as removing too much skin can cause injury 

2.  After filing, wash your feet thoroughly with water and dry them completely.

3. Inspect your feet carefully for any cuts. If you notice any bleeding, apply antiseptic and monitor the wound's healing progress. Refer to the 4. First Aid for your feet section.

4. For callused areas, apply urea cream and gently massage into the skin. Allow the moisturiser to be fully is absorbed before walking 

DO NOT attempt to remove thickened skin (such as calluses or corns) using sharp implements.  

For more information on callus filing, you may refer to the video linked here - Health Library - Tan Tock Seng Hospital

Should I use topical acid for the callous on my feet? 

Using topical acids like corn plasters alone will not address the underlying cause of callus formation. If your condition persists despite using topical acids alongside daily moisturising and proper footwear habits, you may wish to consult a podiatrist.  They may prescribe shoe inserts to reduce pressure on the affected areas. 

When using topical acids, follow these essential precautions:  

1. Apply a thin layer of the acid directly to the thickened skin. Be careful not apply excessive acid as it may damage surrounding healthy skin. 

2. Stop the use of the acids immediately if the affected area becomes overly moist or painful. 

CAUTION: Individuals with diabetes must not use these preparations under any circumstances (Refer to Foot care | Diabetes Hub for more information) 

3. Smart Steps: Choosing the Right Footwear 

Remember to 

• Inspect the inside of shoes and socks for foreign objects before wearing  

• Break in new shoes by wearing them indoors initially. Examine your feet regularly for signs of blisters or abrasions 

• Ask your doctor or podiatrist if you have concerns about choosing the right footwear 

• Turn socks inside out to minimise seams friction against skin. For those with sensitive skin, choose seamless socks to prevent friction-related wounds or blisters around the toes 

• Examine your frequently worn shoes every six months for signs of wear. Replace them when the soles are worn out or when they no longer provide adequate support or cushioning  

Key features to look out for:

4. First Aid for your feet: Wounds & Infections

What should I do if I find a wound on my foot? 

	Step 1​ Wash hands with soap and water.​ Clean wound with tap water/normal saline​. Dry area with sterile gauze.​ DO NOT wipe the wound with alcohol.
	Step 2​ Apply an antiseptic solution, such as povidone-iodine solution, to the wound.
	Step 3​ Place a dressing over the entire wound area​. Ensure the wound remains dry and covered​. Replace the dressing daily, or more often if it becomes wet.

What should I do if I have a fungal skin infection on my foot? 

If you notice skin that appears patchy, flaky or red -  possibly accompanied by itching - you might have a fungal skin infection. These infections are particularly common in tropical, humid climate. 

Managing fungal skin infections
	Wash your feet daily with soap and water regularly​. Ensure your feet are thoroughly dried, paying particular attention to the spaces between the toes.​
	Apply anti-fungal medication strictly according to instructions from your doctor, healthcare provider or pharmacist.​ Replace your socks with a fresh pair daily.​ NEVER share your personal foot care items, as fungal infection are highly contagious. If the fungal infection does not improve, worsens or starts to spread, seek medical attention.  For detailed guidance about fungal nail infection, please refer to information here: Fungal Nail Infection

Disclaimers

The content above is solely for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician, podiatrist or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician, podiatrist or other healthcare professional before taking any medication, supplement, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.  

Contributed by Ministry of Health- Podiatry Panel

We thank the following parties for their contributions to the guide: 

• Podiatrists from public healthcare institutions
• National diabetic reference materials and TTSH for the footcare videos and wound photos
• Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)
• Community care organisations, who provided input to the guide