The Importance of Regular Foot Checks and Nail Care

Feet are easy to ignore. They are out of sight for most of the day, they rarely demand attention until something goes wrong, and many people simply do not think of foot care as a health priority in the same way they might think about their heart, blood pressure, or weight.

In my experience as a podiatrist — both in the NHS and now in private practice — this is one of the most common patterns I see. People come to me when a problem has become painful enough that it can no longer be put off. In most cases, the issue has been developing slowly for months. And in most cases, a little routine attention much earlier would have made things considerably simpler.

This article is about what a regular foot check actually involves, why nail care matters more than it might seem, and who needs to be particularly careful.

Why feet are worth checking regularly

Your feet absorb a remarkable amount of stress. The average person takes between 6,000 and 8,000 steps a day, and with each step, the foot and ankle manage forces several times your body weight. They do this in shoes that are often not particularly well designed for the job, across surfaces that are hard and unforgiving.

Over time, this workload creates changes — in the skin, the nails, and the underlying structures. Some of these changes are harmless. Others are early warning signs of conditions that benefit from treatment. The challenge is knowing the difference, and catching things early enough that treatment is straightforward.

A foot check is not complicated. It does not require specialist equipment. But it does require actually looking — something many people rarely do with any care.

What to look for when checking your feet

Skin

Look at the soles, heels, and between the toes. You are looking for:

• Hard skin (callus) or corns — these are common, but if they are thick or painful they are worth having professionally removed rather than managed at home with blades or rasps, which can cause injury
• Cracks in the skin, particularly at the heels — superficial cracks are usually a moisture issue, but deep cracks can become painful and can become infected
• Any redness, swelling, or areas of unusual warmth — these can indicate inflammation or infection
• Any breaks in the skin, blisters, or wounds — especially important for people with diabetes or poor circulation
• Changes in colour — very pale, bluish, or dark patches can indicate circulatory issues

Nails

Nail problems are among the most common things I deal with in practice. What to look for:

• Thickening or discolouration — yellow, brown, or white nails that have become harder to cut may indicate fungal infection
• Nails that are curving into the skin at the edges — this is an ingrown toenail in its early stages, and far easier to manage before it becomes painful or infected
• Nails that have separated from the nail bed, or that appear brittle or crumbly
• Any swelling, redness, or tenderness around the nail fold

Shape and structure

Changes in the shape of your foot over time — bunions developing, toes beginning to claw or curl, the arch flattening — are worth noting. They may not be causing problems yet, but they can affect the way your weight is distributed across the foot and create pressure points.

How to cut nails properly

Incorrect nail cutting is one of the most preventable causes of foot problems that I see. The basic principles are straightforward:

• Cut nails straight across, not curved down into the corners — cutting curved or too short at the sides is the main cause of ingrown toenails
• Do not cut them too short — the nail should reach the end of the toe or just beyond
• Use proper nail clippers or scissors designed for the purpose — not the same ones you use for fingernails, as toenails are much thicker
• If nails are very thick or difficult to cut, soften them first by soaking your feet in warm water for ten minutes
• File any sharp edges smooth after cutting

How often should you check?

For most people, a visual foot check every week or two, combined with proper nail care every 6 to 8 weeks, is reasonable. For people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or neuropathy, a daily check is recommended — see the box below.

When self-care is not enough

Some things are straightforward to manage at home. Others are not. As a general guide, seek professional assessment if:

• A corn or callus is causing persistent pain, even after using a pumice stone
• A nail is digging into the skin, or the skin around a nail is red, swollen, or weeping
• You have a wound or blister that is not healing within a few days
• You notice a change in colour, temperature, or sensation in your feet
• You have nails that are so thick or distorted that cutting them at home is difficult or risky
• You have diabetes or poor circulation and notice any of the above — please do not wait to see whether it resolves

The case for routine professional care

Many of my patients — particularly older patients, or those with arthritis or other conditions that affect flexibility — find it genuinely difficult to see their own feet, let alone manage their nails safely. For them, a regular podiatry appointment every 8 to 12 weeks is not a luxury. It is maintenance that keeps feet healthy and prevents small problems from becoming larger ones.

Even for people without specific health conditions, an occasional professional check is worthwhile. A podiatrist will notice things that are easy to miss on your own — early nail changes, skin conditions, subtle circulation issues — and can advise on footwear, self-care, or whether any referral is needed.

This article is written for general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. If you have concerns about your feet, please speak to your GP or podiatrist.