FEET

Unclipped toenails, calluses and bad hygiene are among the most tasteless things that exist.

Perhaps your feet will never be beauties, but with a little care they can feel pleasant and perhaps even get an appreciative glance from your surroundings, who no longer pale every time you remove your socks.

The basic rules are to wash your feet every day and put on clean socks. And when we say wash, we mean wash. It is not enough to stand in water while you shower. Use your hands or a washcloth and wash your feet, even between the toes. Then dry them thoroughly. Clean and dry feet protect against athlete's foot.

A few times a week, you should do a more thorough treatment. For this you need three tools: A pumice stone (a volcanic rock type that is lightweight and porous) or another tool for removing dead skin, a nail trimmer and a foot cream. 

Do like this

Wash your feet in warm, soapy water. Carefully file the soles of the feet with the pumice stone so the hard skin disappears. Be especially careful under the heels where dead, dry skin builds up the most.

Dry the feet carefully, especially between the toes, and clip the nails straight with the nail trimmers. Do not trim the nails on the sides, this can cause ingrown toenails. File the nail evenly if it is needed. If you want, you can push back the cuticle with a cuticle stick, just as on the hands. (All of these tools can be found in the Soligen Pedikyrkit).

Finish up by rubbing the feet with a foot cream.

In the case of feet, it is best to go barefoot. You should also avoid standing still during long periods, this causes and aggravates varicose veins. It can also be a good idea to have an extra pair of shoes at work to change between now and then.

Many men suffer from athlete's foot. If your feet itch, burn and look dry and scaly, you have probably gotten it. Consider also that shoes can "carry" athlete's foot. These should be washed in hot water or thrown away – otherwise unfortunately there is a large risk that the fungus will return.

If you suffer from foot sweat, there are "foot deodorants" that can alleviate the problem, for instance Scholl Revitalising Foot Spray. Choosing socks from cotton or wool helps as well, and shoes from a natural material.

If you have corns (deep skin calluses on the sections of the feet that are under the most strain), these should be removed by a foot care specialist. In addition, ossifications can form on the toes where friction from tight shoes causes the bone tissue to grow in and around the toe joint. If you take care of your feet, you should however be able to avoid most of these problems.