How to Keep Healthy feet
 
Even with well-chosen new shoes, you need to take care of your feet to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help ensure that your feet feel good all day:

1. Daily washing use warm soapy water and soak your feet for no more than a few minutes this is long enough to soften nails and hard skin without removing the skin's natural oils. Dry your feet thoroughly using a soft towel, making sure to dry well between the toes.

2. Nails - always trim nails straight across using toenail clippers or scissors. Clean the nails but take care not to damage the softened skin around them.


Top Tips From Heel to Toe

By following a few simple practical guidelines, you’ll be able to keep your child's feet as healthy as the day they were born.

CHECK UP
Regular fit checks are a vital part to keeping your child’s feet healthy. At Clarks our trained fitters are happy to check the fit of your child’s shoes free of charge as often as you like (we recommend every 6 weeks at first). And of course we will not try to sell you shoes if you don’t need them.

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP
Surprisingly socks can have a real effect on the health of your child’s feet. Because young feet are so soft and pliable, socks that are too tight can cause permanent damage as they squeeze the foot into an unnatural shape. On the other hand socks that are too loose can bunch up, leading to pressure points and eventually blisters, calluses and corns. The right size socks, made of natural fibres (at least 50% wool or cotton), with the right size shoes are the perfect combination.

WASH AND DRY
Young feet should be washed daily, as the gaps between those tiny toes are a perfect breeding ground for infection such as athlete’s foot. It is also essential that the feet are dried thoroughly to prevent chapping of the skin.

BAREFOOT IS BEST
Nothing is better for young children’s feet then walking barefoot, whenever it is safe to do so. This allows tiny feet time to breath freely and allows the child to feel the ground, which helps speed walking development.

TRIM TOE NAILS
Some young children’s toenails curl rather than growing straight out like grown-ups. To avoid this happening a toddler’s toenails should be regularly trimmed using small, but sharp scissors. Always trim straight across the nail, even if it is growing slightly curly. It is vital to keep nails short as when they’re too long they can create pressure points at the toes (even in well fitting shoes) and this can lead to in-growing toenails.

Foot Care for Babies

DO:

*	Stimulate your baby's muscles by tickling her toes, feet and legs, and let her kick around a lot.
*	Bathe her feet daily in warm, soapy water and dry in between the toes carefully.
*	Let her go barefoot whenever possible.
*	Keep nails trimmed straight across and not too short.
*	Inspect feet regularly for any signs of damage or infection.

DON'T:

*	Use tight sleepsuits, socks, tights, padders or bootees which restrict her toes and feet.
*	Use tight bedclothes which restrict her movement.
*	Buy synthetic socks and tights as they stop the skin on the feet breathing properly.