1. Soak them daily – Soaking your feet not only relaxes them, which helps relieve any pain, but also keeps them clean. Feet can be difficult to get really clean with a simple shower, but a good soak in a bath of warm water with a little body wash or bath gel will keep them feeling fresh. When feet are not kept very clean foot odor can occur. It’s also important to wear clean, dry socks everyday to avoid food odor. In addition, washing your feet can remove bacteria that might lead to infections like athlete’s foot. Be certain to dry your feet thoroughly, too.

2. Remove dead skin – Because our feet are exposed to so many elements, particularly in the summer, they can develop dead skin, and become dry and cracked. After you’ve soaked your feet, use a wet pumice stone to scrub away the dead skin. Concentrate on the heels and the bottom of the feet, as these areas seem to see the most damage. Try to scrub your feet at least once a week to keep the dead skin at bay. If a pumice stone feels too hard, try a loofah.

3. Moisturize – Once you’ve removed the dead skin, rinse your feet again, dry them thoroughly and then moisturize, using a lotion or oil. If you use a lotion, be sure to choose one with a higher concentration of oil and a lower concentration of water. This will help prevent further dry dead skin in the future, and will leave your feet feeling soft and smooth. If your feet are very dry, moisturize just before going to bed and wear socks to bed. It will keep the moisture on your skin all night.

4. Trim toenails – Unkempt toenails are a leading cause of ingrown toenails, a painful condition. Keep your toenails short by trimming them on a regular basis. Cut the nails straight across the top, rather than trimming them down at the corners.

5. Wear the right shoes – Choose shoes that give your foot natural support. Shoes that do not provide sufficient support can lead to foot pain and to back pain. Shoes that do not fit properly can cause all sorts of problems from blisters to ingrown toenails. In addition, be careful about going barefoot. Places like gym locker rooms and pool decks are full of the bacteria that causes athlete’s foot and plantar’s warts. Wear flip flops or other waterproof shoes rather than going barefoot in these places. Neglecting our feet can be an easy thing to do. But, with just a little time and energy, we can take good care of our feet, avoiding problems and pain now and in the future. Phyllis Zerkle is a freelance writer and likes writing about healthcare career topics, such as how to get a master’s in nursing online, career advancement tips, and more.