How Much Do You Know About Foot Health?

Dry, scaling skin or inflammation of the skin may mean athlete's foot. Blisters, corns, and calluses are caused by friction, usually by shoes that do not fit correctly or by wearing shoes without socks. Warts are caused by a virus that infects the skin. People with diabetes run a higher risk for foot infections because of delayed healing, so they need to inspect their feet every day for non-healing sores or wounds.

You should trim your toenails straight across. If you trim them in a curve, the edges of the nail can grow into the skin, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Don't trim your toenails too short, because this also can result in an ingrown nail. Cut them so that you can see a bit of skin just above the nail edge. Don't let them grow so long that they extend past your toes.

If you have circulation problems or diabetes, check with your healthcare provider before using these remedies. Many of them contain salicylic acid. This may be harmful if you have poor circulation.

Pedicurists aren't trained to treat ingrown nails or to cut calluses or corns from feet.

You should alternate shoes to let them dry out before wearing them again. Doing so can help prevent foot odor. Change socks every day, as well.

High heels force most of the body weight onto the toes and disrupt the natural stride.

This is why women tend to develop bunions more than men, although men who wear tight shoes also are at risk. A bunion is an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe. Bunions tend to run in families, when a foot type that makes bunions more likely is passed down from parent to child. People who have flat feet or low arches also are more at risk for bunions, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. People such as ballet dancers whose jobs or professions place stress on their feet are also at higher risk.