Foot care at home: a simple weekly routine

Feet are easy to overlook when they are comfortable. A short, regular routine can make changes easier to notice and turn foot care into an ordinary part of the week rather than a job saved for when something hurts.

You do not need a cupboard full of products. Good light, a clean towel, simple moisturiser and footwear you can inspect are enough for this routine.

Begin with a comfortable look

Sit somewhere stable with enough light. Look at the top and bottom of each foot and between the toes. A hand mirror can help if the soles are difficult to see, or you can ask someone you trust to help.

Notice what is normal for you. Look for a new blister, cut, crack, sore area, change in colour or swelling. The purpose is not to diagnose the cause. It is to notice a change early enough to decide whether it needs professional advice.

Wash gently and dry carefully

Wash your feet in warm water with a mild soap or wash. Long soaking can dry the skin, so keep it brief. Dry the whole foot with a clean towel and take particular care between the toes.

If reaching your feet feels unsafe, do not balance awkwardly over a bath or basin. Choose a safer seated position or ask for help.

Look after dry skin

Moisturiser can help dry skin feel more comfortable. Apply it to dry areas on the tops, soles and heels, but not between the toes. Let it soak in before standing so the floor and your feet are not slippery.

Do not use blades or sharp tools on hard skin. A pharmacist, GP or HCPC-registered podiatrist can advise if hard skin is painful, keeps returning or is difficult to manage safely.

Keep nails manageable

Use good light and suitable clippers. Cut nails carefully rather than very short, and avoid digging down the sides. A file can smooth a sharp edge.

Ask for help if your nails are very thick, painful, difficult to reach or difficult to see clearly. People with diabetes, poor circulation or reduced sensation should follow their own clinical foot-care advice.

Check socks and shoes as part of the routine

Look inside shoes for grit, rough seams, worn lining or a folded insole. Check socks for tight tops, holes or seams that leave a persistent mark. Small sources of rubbing can matter when they happen on every walk.

The right shoe should feel secure without pinching. Our comfortable walking shoes guide explains what to check.

Know when to ask for help

Seek prompt professional advice for a wound, signs of infection, a sudden colour or temperature change, new loss of feeling, or pain that is severe, worsening or not settling. NHS 111 can advise when you are unsure where to seek help; call 999 for a medical emergency.

The useful habit is simple: notice, care and act on change. You are not expected to solve every foot problem at home.