Foot Health: Simple Steps and Mistakes to Avoid to Keep Your Feet in Good Shape

Bad footwear habits, hygiene mistakes or inappropriate care: often forgotten until the first signs of pain appear, our feet are put under strain every day. From choosing the right shoes to the best ways to look after them, Patrick Béard, a chiropodist and podiatrist who has practised in Monaco for over 30 years, shares his practical advice and lists the most common mistakes. MonacoSanté keeps you informed.

Why You shouldn’t Neglect Your Foot Health

"The foot is a true sensory organ, rich in receptors that constantly inform the brain about our position, balance and movements" chiropodist and podiatrist established in Monaco since 1989, Patrick Béard has specialised in the analysis of posture and movement. This healthcare professional reminds us that this profession serves a dual purpose: treating cutaneous and ungual conditions (relating to the nail), such as corns, calluses or ingrown toenails, but also analysing biomechanics to understand the origin of pain and dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. "In fact, foot care has an impact that goes beyond simple local comfort. By eliminating certain sources of parasitic nociceptive information (pain triggered by an attack on the body) linked to hyperkeratosis (abnormal thickening of the skin), nail conflicts or other painful foot lesions, they help improve the quality of sensory information transmitted to the nervous system and thus contribute to better postural and functional regulation", he explains. Yet feet are rarely a priority and often end up neglected, when they deserve constant attention to prevent complications. The reasons for consultation are indeed very varied: foot pain, knee or back pain, gait disorders, skin conditions, follow-up of athletes or people with diabetes. The profile of patients is equally diverse, ranging from children in growth to seniors, including active adults and athletes.

The Most Common Mistakes That Weaken Them

The most common conditions remain ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, blisters and fungal infections. "To this we can add mechanical and functional pain linked to support disorders, often underestimated", stresses Patrick Béard. The specialist's first piece of advice is simple but essential: observe your feet regularly. "Many problems could be avoided through early detection. Pain is never trivial." Prevention begins with appropriate footwear. "A good shoe must respect the morphology of the foot: sufficiently wide at the front, stable, with good heel support and adequate flexibility, without compression", considers the foot care specialist. He reminds us that very narrow or unsuitable models must be avoided According to him, "comfort should never be sacrificed for aesthetics". For people who walk a lot or stand for long periods, he advises varying shoe pairs and consulting at the first warning signs. Finally, walking barefoot: good or bad idea? "It depends on the context. It can be beneficial on suitable surfaces, as it stimulates the muscles and proprioception (the ability to perceive oneself in space). On the other hand, on hard or unsuitable surfaces, it can be harmful. It's all a matter of graduality and adaptation", develops Patrick Béard.

Looking After Your Feet: Essential Daily Habits

For this healthcare professional, washing your feet thoroughly every day is the golden rule. Simply letting soapy water run over them in the shower is not enough. "Daily hygiene with careful drying, especially between the toes, is fundamental. You must also cut your nails correctly and avoid aggressive gestures and 'bathroom surgery', when people try to treat themselves." In case of dry skin, hydration is recommended, particularly through shea butter-based creams. "Regular hydration helps preserve skin flexibility and limit cracks." Be careful with application, however: "not between the toes to avoid maceration". On the other hand, Patrick Béard advises against using anti-callus files sold in shops, which are often poorly positioned and too abrasive. "When the thickening reaches a very large volume or becomes painful, it is the role of the foot care specialist to remove it. The subtlety is that you have to remove some, but not too much because the more you do it, the less protected you will be. We must maintain a certain layer of cornea for protection", he points out. Conversely, using a pumice stone in the shower is an excellent alternative. "You do one minute for both feet, as daily maintenance, to remove the superficial layer. With a wet, soapy pumice stone, you can rub gently and gradually directly on the hyperkeratosis area", recommends the specialist.

Physical Activity: Each Profile Needs Its Own Care

Foot health concerns everyone, but each profile requires personalised follow-up. "In children and adolescents, the foot care specialist plays an important role in monitoring growth and motor development. Certain gait abnormalities, frequent falls, pain on exertion, balance disorders or even deformities of the lower limbs may justify clinical examination. The objective is to distinguish what is part of normal physiological development from what requires monitoring or specific care", explains Patrick Béard. For athletes, care is both preventive and curative, as foot health determines performance. "Analysis of sporting movements, support and biomechanics and the specific constraints of each sport allows optimising movement, limiting the risk of injury and improving performance." For seniors, the major issue is preserving independence. "Since the foot is an essential player in stability, its care directly contributes to quality of life and mobility", reminds the professional. Preventing pain and the risk of falls is a priority here. Finally, increased vigilance is required for patients with chronic conditions (diabetes, neurological, rheumatological or vascular diseases). "In these patients, the foot care specialist plays a major role in screening, prevention and follow-up to limit sometimes serious complications that can affect the feet and gait." To maintain this mechanics on a daily basis, a few simple exercises for toe mobilisation muscle strengthening and proprioception can greatly improve stability and prevent pain.

When should you see a chiropodist?

What are the warning signs? "Persistent pain, difficulty walking, a change in support or posture, or a skin lesion that does not heal", lists Patrick Béard. "In general, whenever a symptom appears or repeats itself, it is wise to consult." Foot care remains above all a preventive discipline. Waiting until pain becomes unbearable is a mistake. "Care is always simpler and more effective when it is early, and it often prevents deterioration." President since its creation in 2008 of the "Association Monégasque des Podologues" (AMP - Monegasque Association of Chiropodists-Podologists) – which promotes, trains and develops the profession in the Principality –, Patrick Béard campaigns for better recognition of his specialty. Even today, care, clinical examinations and orthopaedic insoles remain poorly reimbursed. "This reality can be a barrier to access to care and prevention, even though early care often prevents more serious and costly complications for the health system", he argues. Before concluding with his motto: "we do not only care for feet, we help preserve each person's ability to move around, work, engage in physical activity and remain independent".