Apart from nagging aches and pains, poor circulation, corns and callouses, fungal and bacterial infections can afflict the feet. In fact, poor foot posture can put excessive strain on the back, leading to back - aches. No matter how much time you spend on your grooming, aching feet can never allow you to feel and look your best.

Foot Posture and Exercise
Good foot posture helps to put the entire body into balance.

• When you stand, or walk, the toes should point almost straight ahead.
• Lift the arches of the feet sligtly, so that your body weight is supported by the outside edges of the soles of your feet.
• Walk barefoot, on grass, whenever you can.
• Stand straight, feet pointed ahead, rise up on the toes and then lower yourself. This strengthens the arches of the feet.
• Curl your toes, as if you are trying to pick something off the floor with your feet. This helps to strengthen the metatarsal arch.

• Your shoes should not be too tight, the kind that squeeze the toes. This can interfere with blood circulation and also cause friction, leading to corns and callouses.
• The front of the shoes should be wide enough to allow enough space to move the toes.
• Choose comfortable, well-fitted shoes for daily wear. Keep your high heels for special occasions, or evening wear. High heels put excessive strain on the back and the bones of the feet.
• During hot and humid weather, avoid closed shoes. Wear open sandals for maximum ventilation, so that the feet are dry. Fungal infections, like Athlete's Foot thrive on wet, soggy skin.

Home care for the feet
What you will need
Nail brush, pumice stone, nail clippers, emery board, Cotton wool, cotton buds, polish remover, nail varnish, moisturising cream, a small tub for soaking the feet.

• Remove old polish, if necessary, with the remover, using cotton wool.
• Soak your feet in warm water, to which you should add some shampoo and a little vegetable oil. You can also add coarse salt, which helps to remove dead skin and other debris. Let your feet soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Clean the nails with a brush. It should not be too hard. Use the pumice stone on the skin on your heels and the sides of the soles. You can also scrub the entire feet with a rough-textured wash-cloth.
• Wash your feet thoroughly with clean water. Then, dry the feet well with a towel.
• If your toe nails need to be cut, you should cut them squarely across. Use the emery board to smoothen them, but do not round off or shape your toe nails. This would result in problems such as in-growing toe nails.

(If you have ingrowing toe nails, you should always cut them straight across. Do not round them off, as they will tend to grow into the flesh even more.)
• Apply cream on the nail, working it into the cuticles. Use the cotton bud to push back cuticles. Do not cut them, or use sharp metal instruments to clean under the nails. The cotton bud can be used instead.
• Apply the moisturising cream on the feet and massage it well into the skin. Pay special attention to the heels, applying more cream, if needed. Use upward strokes for the massage, working from the toes towards the ankles. Wipe off any excess cream with a moist towel.
• If you wish to apply polish, put some cotton wool between the toes, or you can twist a tissue between the toes. Apply the nail first coat dries, apply the second coat of colour.

For arching feet and poor circulation
Alternating hot and cold foot baths will help aching feet and improve circulation.