Five Things a Leading Podiatrist Says You Must Stop Doing to Protect Your Feet
Royal College of Podiatry adviser warns against common habits — from cutting toenail edges to walking barefoot in communal areas — and outlines safer care steps
A leading podiatrist advised that five common habits can harm foot health and should be avoided, particularly as aging and chronic disease make feet more vulnerable. Dr. Helen Brathwaite, chief clinical adviser to the Royal College of Podiatry, highlighted behaviours that increase the risk of ingrown nails, infections, painful cracks and longer-term deformities.
Dr. Brathwaite said people often overlook their feet even though conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and circulatory disease can show early signs in the feet. She identified cutting or picking at the sides of toenails, using sharp instruments to pare hard skin, walking barefoot in communal spaces, ignoring persistent foot pain or changes, and wearing ill-fitting shoes as the five practices to avoid.
One common problem is ingrown toenails, which occur when the nail grows into the surrounding tissue and becomes painful, red or infected. Dr. Brathwaite said damaging the nail edge by cutting down the side or repeatedly picking at the nail can alter its growth pattern and make ingrowing more likely. The skin around toenails sits higher and often retains more moisture than finger nails, she said, making it easier to puncture and injure.
Hard skin and calluses are frequent complaints, she added, but removing thickened skin with blades or razor-like tools can cause injury and infection. Podiatrists are trained to use sharp instruments safely; the public is advised not to replicate those techniques. Over-the-counter care such as creams containing 5 to 10 percent urea can soften and reduce excessive dry skin and help prevent painful fissures.
Communal areas such as pool decks, gym changing rooms and communal showers pose another avoidable risk. Dr. Brathwaite noted that an estimated 41 percent of people have experienced a verruca and about 15 percent have had a fungal infection on their feet. These conditions are spread by skin cells shed from infected tissue and can persist on surfaces. Using protective footwear, such as pool shoes, reduces exposure to Athlete's Foot and plantar warts.
Foot pain and visible changes in colour, temperature, shape or the presence of a wound should prompt professional assessment, she said. Pain that persists beyond two weeks warrants a podiatry consultation. For people with diabetes or circulatory problems, prompt access to podiatry services may already be available through local health systems; those patients should seek rapid assessment because foot problems can escalate quickly. Dr. Brathwaite recommended photographing changes to track progression between appointments.
Ill-fitting footwear contributes to many common foot problems, from blisters and corns to ingrown toenails and long-term deformities. A 2018 study she cited found that as many as 73 percent of people were not wearing shoes that fit properly. Foot shape and size change over time, and shoe sizing is not standardized, so a previously comfortable size may no longer be appropriate. Dr. Brathwaite advised ensuring the shoe accommodates the foot's width at the ball, leaves enough length for toe movement, provides adequate sole support and bends at the same place as the big toe joint.
Her guidance reinforces routine foot care and early professional assessment. Regular podiatry visits can address structural issues, treat infections, safely remove problematic hard skin and provide footwear advice. For people managing underlying conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or arthritis, attention to foot health can help prevent complications and maintain mobility.