Pretty feet, healthy feet: a simple weekly plan

You know that moment when the sandals come out of the wardrobe and you finally look your feet in the eye? The heel that rasps, the hard skin that snags on your socks, the nail that's gone yellow under the polish... Nothing dramatic, but let's be honest: it doesn't sort itself out. The good news is that a little method goes a long way — ten minutes, once or twice a week, plus a few habits slipped into the day.

The basic ritual: soak, file, moisturise

In the evening, once the day has settled, fill a basin with warm water. Warm, genuinely — scalding water dries the skin out instead of softening it, which is not the idea. You can add a handful of Epsom salts or a few drops of essential oil, but be careful: some are not advised during pregnancy or on reactive skin — if in doubt, a word with your pharmacist beats a homemade mix.

Use the soak to gently file the rough patches. A stainless-steel rasp, a natural pumice stone or a coarse-grain file will do the job, as long as you work in small strokes and don't press too hard: you're removing excess hard skin, not attacking healthy skin. The move that really makes the difference is consistency — ten minutes every week beats one marathon catch-up session a year.

Then dry thoroughly, not forgetting between the toes: that's where moisture lingers and where fungal infections take hold. Next, moisturise with a foot cream containing urea: its richer texture, often a balm, sits better on a dry heel than a fluid body lotion, and keeps skin supple for longer. Massage upwards towards the ankle — it helps circulation.

On the formulation side, take a look at the labels. A Cosmos Organic or Ecocert certification sets the organic ingredient share and the list of excluded substances — though it says nothing about how well the product actually works. Packaging matters too: depending on the exact material, any coatings and your local recycling scheme, a glass jar or a cardboard tube may be preferable to a plastic bottle, and some brands offer refills. No need to beat yourself up if you already have a favourite tube — just something to bear in mind when you repurchase.

Nails cut straight, not round

Cut straight across, without rounding the corners into a curve: it's the overly rounded shape that encourages ingrown nails. A quick pass with a file on the corners to soften them, and that's it. If you wear polish, always start with a clear base coat; it helps limit the yellowing caused by pigments over the long term. And between manicures, let the nail breathe for a few days — it'll thank you for it.

The everyday habits that change everything

Rotating your shoes to let them dry, choosing breathable materials, not keeping a pair of trainers damp from morning till night: these small habits limit maceration, the environment fungal infections love. In summer, rinse and dry your feet after the beach or the pool, including between the toes — the step we always forget.

And if you wear insoles, a cycle in the machine when the material allows, or a little sanitising powder, can make all the difference. Nothing spectacular, but added up, these habits are worth every treatment in the world.

The niggles that keep coming back: how to react

The right habits reduce the risks, but they don't prevent everything. The first rule is: don't let it drag on.

A blister, on the other hand, appears within minutes after prolonged rubbing. If it's tight and really bothering you, ask a pharmacist for advice before piercing it: the needle must be sterile and it's not a trivial thing to do. If not, clean the area and apply a blister plaster — a thick one stays in place and protects. As prevention, transparent plasters go on friction zones before you head out, and some anti-chafing creams, originally designed for athletes, can also limit the damage.

As for an ingrown nail, that's another story: a piece of nail grows back badly and digs into the skin. Very painful, sometimes the source of an infection. If redness, pus or pain set in, head to a doctor or a podiatrist — and above all, don't force it, you risk making things worse.

Budget

On the budget side, it costs very little, and the differences come mainly from where you buy and how concentrated the actives are.

Expect £3 to £15 for a rasp, file or pumice stone, from a supermarket or chemist — stainless-steel versions last for years. A urea foot cream costs around £5 to £15 from a pharmacy, a high street chemist or online, depending on the urea percentage and the brand. A full treatment in a salon, including filing and nails, comes in at around £25 to £55 depending on the city and the treatment; an appointment with a podiatrist falls under a different framework, often medical, and a different budget. Add £5 to £10 for a box of anti-blister plasters if you're the type who walks a lot.

Comparing online and in store is often worth it, and a natural pumice stone or a stainless-steel rasp remains the most durable choice: nothing to replace, just a rinse.

Sources

• NHS — Fungal nail infection, nhs.uk.
• British Association of Dermatologists — Fungal nail infections, bad.org.uk.
• Electronic Medicines Compendium — Antifungal medicines, medicines.org.uk.