How to have healthy feet for summer

Show off your feet this summer, happy in the knowledge that they're healthy

Podiatrist Emma Supple offers us her top tips for summer-healthy feet:

Get rid of hard skin

The best way to do this is by daily scrubbing with a stiff brush. Follow this with plenty of moisturiser. Over-enthusiastic use of foot files and scrapers can stimulate your soles to produce more hard skin.

If you have a build-up of hard skin the best way to deal with it is to see a podiatrist who can remove it quickly and efficiently. Find one in your area at www.feetforlife.org

Trim your toenails

Traditional advice is to cut straight across but the best line is to follow the contour of the nail; otherwise you can end up with sharp corners which may dig in. The length is up to you, but best not protruding beyond the end of your toe!

Deal with any foot problems

If you have corns or calluses, the best way to deal with them is to see a podiatrist, who will give you preventiona dvice as well as getting rid of them.

One in three of us will suffer from a fungal infection of the feet, whether it's athlete's foot or fungal nail infection. 

Athlete's foot thrives in warm, dark places - like between your toes. Fungal spores can be picked up from surfaces your feet touch, such as communal floor areas in pools or gyms, or your bathroom, or even shoes. It's maddeningly itchy and shows up as cracked, blistered or peeling skin. A new product, Lamisil Once (Boots, £9.78, 4g) needs to be applied - as the name suggests - just once, rather than daily. Click here to buy Lamisil Once from Boots (£9.78, 4g).

Fungal nail infection causes thickened, dry and brittle, discoloured toenails - not a good look with summer sandals. It often follows athlete's foot infection and can be stubborn. To treat, talk to your pharmacist or see a podiatrist.

Go barefoot

Kicking off your shoes allows your feet to breathe and to expand to their natural shape.

Off for a walk?

Many people swear by toughening the feet with surgical spirit. However, lots of moisturising promotes the normal function of the skin. If it's more than a Sunday stroll, do wear walking boots, as they're designed to support the feet.

Choose summer shoes carefully

Canvas espadrilles with a low wedge heel are an excellent choice. The canvas breathes to allow sweat out, and expands to accommodate heat-swollen feet, and a low heel is most comfortable for most women. Shock-absorption is also good. 

Flip-flops help the five layers of muscle in your feet to work in their natural way, and keep feet unconstricted. Fitflops, claimed to give you a workout as you walk, have a good, thick sole and are therefore have beneficial shock-absorbing qualities. Find out more at http://thefitflop.com

Beech sandals, which echo the natural shape of the sole, are perhaps the most comfortable choice. Find out more at www.beechsandals.co.uk.

Emma Supple is a podiatrist with over 20 years' experience, and runs her own north London clinic: www.supplefeet.com

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