Causes: Not cutting the nail straight, excessive skin growth and nail shape deformities.

“Toenails are best cut straight. If an ingrown toenail has occurred due to improper cutting and is only hurting slightly, let the affected nail grow out slowly. Soaking your feet in a warm salt solution daily will help ease the pain. The nail will slowly push the skin/flesh away and grow out properly.

For excessive skin growth due to heavy foot usage or dryness, moisturise your toes daily with cuticle oil to soften the skin. In either case, having a proper pedicure done will ease the situation faster.

For slight nail deformities, the above two solutions will usually help. If the nail curves in too much or there is blood or pus, seek medical advice. Also, avoid tight-fitting shoes as it forces the flesh to constantly press against the nails.”

Causes: Long-term callus buildup and dryness.

“Moisturise! Slap some lotion on before bed and wear socks if you hate dirtying your floors at night.

File down the callus with a foot file after soaking your feet in warm water. Scrub at least once or twice a week till the crack is less obvious and make sure you put lotion or a foot mask after.”

Dermal Therapy’s balm employs a cocktail of moisturising and exfoliating ingredients to care for and nourish your feet. These include urea, lanolin, shea butter, glycolic acid, tea tree oil and vitamin B5 and E.

Causes: Long-term callus buildup and repeated pressure on the same spot.

“Make sure your footwear nicely cushions your feet whenever possible. This helps relieve the pressure on the soles of your feet.

If a corn has formed, file down the area with a foot file once or twice a week after soaking in warm water.

Corn plasters may work for smaller areas but maintenance with moisturising and filing is still necessary.”

Mr. Green’s foot file has a rougher side to file thicker calluses and cracked heels and a fine side to get rid of dry dead skin and soft calluses. The stainless steel construction makes it easy to clean after each use with a hole to hang and let the foot file dry completely.

Causes: Sweaty feet, bacterial buildup and fungal infections.

“Wash your feet with soap. Ensure that your feet are dry after washing before applying lotion and putting on socks and or shoes.

Foot odour control sprays may help keep your feet dry throughout the day. If there is itchiness and peeling skin alongside the odour, it may be a sign of fungal infection. The over-the-counter fungal medication works well for such cases. And seek medical advice for better clarity on the situation if it persists.”

With a quick and easy-to-use spray dispensing mechanism, the Carnation Footcare spray contains aluminium compounds that work to block sweat from being released and absorb those that have.

Green nail syndrome is usually green in appearance and occurs in lifted areas below gel or acrylic nails.

Causes: Bacterial overgrowth as water seeps in between the nails when the gel or acrylic lifts.

“In most cases, green nail syndrome is on the surface. Once the acrylic or gel is removed, what is left is discolouration.

If you are doing your own nails, ensure all the gel or acrylic is removed and clean the nail with an anti-microbial solution.

If the green nails have spread into your nail bed, you might see the nail separating from the nail bed, typically known as onycholysis. Seek professional help at this stage.”

Nail fungus: Typically yellow and whitish in appearance.

Athlete’s foot: Scaly, peeling and cracked skin between the toes with itchiness. The skin can also appear red and inflamed with occurrences of burning sensations and blisters.

Causes: Damp environments (such as wet/sweaty socks), cross infections in wet public areas such as swimming pools, or through unsanitised nail tools. Diabetes and old age increase the risks of such infections too.

“Keep your feet and the area between your toes as dry as possible, especially after showers. Wear slippers in public wet areas.

Clean the folds under the toenails as the dirt retains quite a bit of water. Make sure to cut your nails short (and in a straight line).

Change your socks daily! And make sure you dry out wet footwear before wearing it again. If the problems persist, you can consider tossing out older footwear.

Ensure the salons you go to properly sanitise their equipment and tools.

Apply anti-fungal cream (for feet) or sprays (for nails), you can get them easily from the doctors or pharmacy.

Seek help from a medical professional if you are unsure.”

Lamisil uses the active ingredient terbinafini hydrochloridum to combat the fungal infection related to athlete’s foot. The brand recommends using it for seven days and applying once a day.

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