Blisters, friction, crevices or even complications in the nails: podiatrists had their work cut out when they reopened their doors, after two months of confinement. "These poor feet are often the big abandoned of our health", deplores Djamel Bouhabib, podiatrist and president of the French Union of foot health, who came to deliver his advice to the microphone of Europe 1, Tuesday.
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"Our two feet are used to stand, to walk, to run [...] When they are well maintained, we will travel two and a half times around the world during a lifetime." Djamel Bouhabib does not lack eloquence to describe the usefulness of the tip of our legs. It must be said that he can see on a daily basis the complications caused by poor maintenance. It therefore details three gestures to adopt.
Cut your nails without frills
The podiatrist recommends cutting your toenails at least once a month with a good instrument, the pliers being the most suitable. Above all, he warns against any cut that is a little too artistic that could precipitate the appearance of ingrown toenails. "We cut our nails as straight as possible, we do not fiddle in the corners! Most of the patients who consult for ingrown toenails are patients who themselves started this pathology." For people with diabetes and arteritis, Djamel Bouhabib even advises not to take care of it yourself.
Rub the heel with a pumice stone
It is recommended to rub the horny areas of the soles of the feet once every ten days. The podiatrist especially invites regular hydration of the feet, an "essential" gesture according to him. "It avoids all those little callous-like miseries that one can have and which can have dramatic consequences."
Wash regularly and dry well
Regular washing is obviously essential. But some patients tend to neglect drying. "[You must] wipe your feet well by insisting on the inter-digital spaces to avoid the proliferation of fungal infections and fungi", warns Djamel Bouhabib. These pathologies are sometimes difficult to treat and terribly unpleasant for the patient.