Leading podiatrist outlines five common foot-care mistakes to avoid

Dr. Helen Brathwaite, chief clinical adviser at the Royal College of Podiatry, warned that five everyday practices commonly damage feet and increase the risk of infection, pain and deformity.

Speaking in an interview published Sept. 13, 2025, Dr. Brathwaite said neglect and risky self-care are frequent reasons patients present to podiatrists, particularly as ageing increases joint wear, reduces skin elasticity and thins the fatty pads that cushion the soles.

One of the most common problems identified by Dr. Brathwaite is ingrown toenails caused by cutting or picking at the sides of nails. The skin around toenails sits higher and retains more moisture than fingernail skin, she said, making it easier to puncture and alter the nail’s growth pattern. Damaging the nail edges can cause the nail to grow into surrounding tissue, producing pain, redness, swelling and possible infection.

Dr. Brathwaite advised against self-treatment that removes the side of the nail and recommended regular podiatry checks for people with naturally curved nails, wide nail plates or sweaty skin, which are more prone to ingrown nails.

She also cautioned against the use of sharp instruments to remove hard skin. Thickened skin can be a protective response to pressure and friction, but slicing it with blades or knives carries a high risk of injury and subsequent infection. When clinicians debride hard skin, they are trained to do so; untrained people are not. Instead, she recommended regular filing and the topical use of creams containing 5–10% urea to reduce excessive dryness and prevent painful cracks.

Walking barefoot in communal areas is another frequent source of foot problems, Dr. Brathwaite said. Common fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and verrucae spread via shed skin cells and can persist on surfaces for months. She cited figures that about 41 percent of people have had a verruca and 15 percent have experienced a fungal foot infection, and warned that older adults’ declining immunity can make these infections harder to treat. Pool shoes or other foot coverings can reduce the risk of transmission.

Ignoring changes in the feet or tolerating persistent pain was a further concern. Dr. Brathwaite said foot pain lasting more than two weeks should prompt assessment by a podiatrist, and that changes in colour, temperature, shape or the appearance of wounds merit prompt professional attention. People with diabetes or circulatory conditions may have faster access to podiatry through local National Health Service pathways and should use those services. She recommended photographing persistent or changing problems to monitor progression between consultations.

Finally, wearing ill-fitting shoes remains a common driver of foot complaints. A 2018 study cited by Dr. Brathwaite found that as many as 73 percent of people wear shoes that do not fit properly. Shoes that are too large, too small or the wrong shape can cause blisters, corns, calluses, ingrown nails, wounds and long-term deformities. She said shoes should accommodate the foot’s width at the ball, provide sufficient length to allow toe movement, offer appropriate sole support and bend only where the big toe bends.

Podiatrists emphasise that many foot problems are preventable with correct footwear, safe home care and early professional assessment. For people with underlying health conditions that affect circulation or sensation, timely podiatry care can reduce the risk of complications.

The Royal College of Podiatry advises routine checks and professional treatment for persistent or worsening problems rather than self-treatment with sharp tools or prolonged neglect. Dr. Brathwaite’s guidance underlines how routine habits and small interventions can have outsized effects on foot health as people age.