1. Do Wash Regularly
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your feet every day. “Even if you haven’t exercised or left home, your feet still sweat and shed skin cells,” Dr. Fuchs says.
Letting moisture and microorganisms (the bacteria and fungi that like to grow in sweaty environments like feet) build up increases your risk of fungal infections, irritation, and skin breakdown, adds Monique Chheda, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at District Dermatology in McLean, Virginia.
2. Don’t Rely on Runoff Water
Sure, soap and water automatically fall down your legs and ankles in the shower while you’re cleaning the rest of your body, but your feet still need intentional washing, Fuchs says. “Soapy runoff doesn’t remove sweat, oils, dead skin, or microorganisms that adhere to the skin,” she says. It takes some light friction from your hands or a soft cloth to actually remove all the debris and microbes.
3. Do Clean Between the Toes and Around the Nails
4. Don’t Use Excessively Hot Water
It’s particularly important for people with diabetes, neuropathy, and other circulation issues to pay attention to the temperature, Chheda adds, since reduced sensation in the feet can make it harder to notice when the water is so hot that it’s burning the skin.
5. Do Use a Mild, Fragrance-Free Soap
“In most cases, the same gentle body cleanser you use on the rest of your body works perfectly well for the feet,” Chheda says. That said, if you have dry or sensitive skin, she suggests a formula designed to minimize irritation.
6. Don’t Scrub Too Much
While gently exfoliating a callus can reduce thickened skin and relieve pressure, aggressively scrubbing could damage healthy skin and create small cuts that could get infected, Chheda says.
For people with diabetes, circulation problems, or reduced sensation, it’s best to have a podiatrist treat any painfully thickened skin to avoid unintentionally taking off too much, Fuchs adds.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that calluses usually develop for a reason. “They are often the skin’s protective response to repeated pressure or friction, sometimes from uneven weight distribution across the foot or from footwear that puts pressure on certain areas,” Chheda says.
If a callus is bothering you, she recommends identifying the underlying cause rather than just treating the callus itself.
7. Do Check Your Feet
Actively washing your feet gives you a chance to inspect them. “People should look for redness, scaling, cracks, blisters, sores, and changes around the nails,” Chheda says. She adds that anything concerning — like pain, drainage, excessive warmth, or new or changing growths — should be treated or run by a healthcare provider.
Chheda says that people with diabetes should take extra care to thoroughly check their feet, since small wounds can turn into serious complications if they’re not caught and treated in time.
8. Don’t Let Your Feet Air-Dry
Carefully drying your feet is just as important as washing them. “Moisture left on the skin, especially between the toes, creates an environment where fungi can thrive,” Chheda says.
After you get out of the shower or bath, pat your feet dry with a clean towel, and make sure there’s absolutely no water left in the spaces between your toes before putting on socks. “This step is particularly important if the toes are crowded together and those areas don’t get much airflow, since trapped moisture increases the risk of fungal infections like athlete’s foot,” Chheda says.
9. Do Moisturize
If your heels or soles are prone to dryness or cracking, moisturizing can help protect the skin barrier, Chheda says. “Creams and ointments containing ingredients like urea, glycerin, and ceramides can be helpful,” she says. Choose a fragrance-free option to avoid irritation, adds Fuchs.
When moisturizing, stick to the tops and bottoms of your feet. Applying it between your toes can trap moisture and create conditions that promote fungal growth, Fuchs says.
The Takeaway
- Soapy water runoff in the shower isn’t enough to clean your feet. You need light friction from your hands or a washcloth to remove debris and microorganisms that could lead to infections, irritation, or odor.
- Regularly clean with mild, fragrance-free soap and warm (not overly hot) water to avoid drying out the skin.
- While washing, check your feet for redness, scaling, cracks, blisters, sores, and any changes around the nails. Check with a healthcare provider if you notice new or changing growths, or signs of infection like drainage
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