Dr Jean Ho's Footcare Tips

Indulge in a DIY foot spa at home

In my practice, I see patients with various problems on their feet, from warts to corns, and cracked heels and toenail infections.

As we spend most of our waking hours on our feet, they deserve some serious pampering.


1. Always keep feet clean and healthy.


2. Proper footwear. For men, thin cottony socks and padded leather footwear are best. For ladies, 3-inch heels kill your pads, by forcing the body weight onto the front of the feet. So swap the punishing stilletos for mid-heels or ballerina flats, which are so IN now.


3. Wear footwear even when at the beach or padding around the pool. Nasty things like viral warts lurk on moist public areas.


4. Moisturizing the skin on the feet regularly is important, especially in persons with dry skin. The best time to do this is right after a shower or bath. Look for a moisturiser with high lactate content, which hydrates and gently exfoliates at the same time.


5. Avoid hot water, as it removes the naturally occuring skin lipids and aggravates the cracks. Instead use lukewarm water for bathing or soaking.


6. As with everything else, skin condition deteriorates with age. One problem is gradual thickening of the hard skin and callus. Keep the soles of feet in prime condition by filing away dead skin after a shower, and moisturising after.

7. Treat yourself to a DIY foot spa. These are available at departmental stores or hypermarts. I got one for $39. If it pleases you, use it with bath salts too.  

8. For very stubborn cracked heels, use a foot cream in the night and cover feet with socks or cling wrap. Remove in the morning. Do this for several nights in a row and you will be rewared with baby soft skin.

9. Deep painful fissures or itchy blisters may be signs of disease such as eczema. You should be treated by a dermatologist.

10. Examine your feet regularly. This way you will detect any problem like toe nail infection or warts and get them sorted early.

Happy feet!