Moisturize. Taking care of your feet begins with keeping your skin moisturized. Apply daily moisturizer (whatever lotion your doctor recommends) and pay attention. Many of my clients love Miracle Foot Repair with 60% Aloe which is what I use in my appointments. Eucerin, Cerave, Gold Bond, and Aveeno are all great as well.
Make sure to dry between your toes after showering. Fungus loves moisture!
If you notice something funky with your toenail, treat it EARLY. Fungus is much easier to treat when it is localized to a small area. Clean the nail. Trim it down. Apply your favorite remedy day and night (Vick’s Vapor Rub, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar… they all can work).
If your nail is growing thick and weird, you will need to have it sanded down in addition to topical treatment. Thickened nails will not absorb the medication. If the nail beds are significantly damaged (which happens after a lifetime of walking on our feet), treating fungal nails is extremely difficult. Regular foot care and sanding of the nails is often the best option to keep the nails in check.
Wear supportive, well-fitting shoes. Take the time to find shoes that don’t hurt. Make sure your toes have enough room and that your arches are properly supported.
If you struggle with bunions and/or hammertoes, silicone toe sleeves, cushions, or separators may be helpful. They are like wearing corrective eye glasses, though; they ONLY work while they are being worn. Don’t fall for gimmicks on the internet! Unfortunately, the singular way to permanently fix bunions or hammertoes is with corrective surgery.
Don’t ignore signs of an ingrown toenail. If a nail is not properly trimmed, a spiky piece of nail can grow undetected and under the skin causing pain and infection. Even though teenagers have the advantage of younger skin and nails, they will sometimes ignore signs of an ingrown toenail until it causes a significant problem.