Health Foot care


feet Get your ready for summer


They may have been covered in socks and boots during the colder season, but it’s almost time to show off your feet – here’s how to fix foot-related problems


Here are some ways to treat common foot problems… with a little help from your local Careway pharmacist.


Blisters Little pockets of fluid in the upper layers of your skin, blisters can develop when your shoes rub your feet. Don’t try to burst a blister, as it could cause an infection. Just let the blister heal by itself – the skin will peel off on its own after the skin underneath has healed. To protect a blister cover it with a plaster. Ask your Careway pharmacist about suitable products.


Verrucas Verrucas are a type of wart found on the soles of the feet that look like small, dark, flat puncture marks in the early stages, later turning grey or brown. Your local pharmacy stocks remedies for removing verrucas, such as


creams or gels containing salicylic acid. Ask your pharmacist to recommend the best product for you. If you have poor circulation – associated with diabetes, for example – don’t use products containing salicylic acid without your doctor’s advice. Cover a verruca with a waterproof plaster when you go swimming


and always wear pool sandals or flip flops in communal changing rooms and showers.


Fungal infections Athlete’s foot is a skin infection caused by a fungus that can lead to itching, cracked, blistered and peeling areas of skin between the toes. If you don’t treat it, the infection can spread and cause a fungal nail infection, where your toenails become thick and yellow. There are lots of types of treatments you can try for fungal


infections, including creams, sprays, liquids, powders and nail paints, all of which are available at your local pharmacy.


Foot odour To prevent foot odour wash them at least once a day and dry properly between your toes. If washing with ordinary soap doesn’t do the trick, try using an antibacterial soap or an over-the- counter foot hygiene product (ask your pharmacist to recommend one that would work well for you). Always wear clean socks made from at least 70 percent cotton or


wool, and don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day. Also try using medicated insoles and avoid wearing shoes that don’t breathe. Wherever possible, wear sandals in the summer too and go barefoot regularly when you’re at home.


44 All About health Soft and sandal ready


Summer is when our feet are more likely to be on display than at other times of the year. But if you have corns, calluses or hard skin, you may feel too embarrassed about the appearance of your feet to wear sandals. Try using a pumice stone to rub away the hard


skin and to stop it getting any thicker (both are available at pharmacies). Your pharmacist may also be able to recommend over-the-counter lotions to help remove corns and calluses (always ask for advice). To get your feet summer ready, here are some


of the other over-the-counter products you can buy from your local Careway pharmacy:


• Rich foot cream with urea • Foot file (non metal) • Straight toenail scissors • Antibacterial soap/foot hygiene product • Medicated talcum powder


Find your nearest Careway pharmacy at www.careway.co.uk/find-a-pharmacy.


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