2 

National Institute on Aging

AgePage

Foot Care

When we are in love we may be “swept

off our feet.” When we don’t want to do

something we are said to have “cold feet.”

A sensible person “has both feet on the

ground.” Sometimes we even “vote with

our feet.”

Years of wear and tear can be hard on

our feet. So can disease, poor circulation, improperly trimmed toenails,

and wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. Problems with our feet can be

the first sign of more serious medical

conditions such as arthritis, diabetes,

and nerve and circulatory disorders.

Preventing Foot Trouble

Practice good foot care. Check your

feet regularly, or have a member of

your family check them. Podiatrists

and primary care doctors (internists

and family practitioners) are qualified to treat most foot problems.

Sometimes the special skills of an

orthopedic surgeon or dermatologist

are needed.

It also helps to keep blood circulating to your feet as much as possible.

Do this by putting your feet up when

you are sitting or lying down, stretching if you’ve had to sit for a long while,

walking, having a gentle foot massage,

or taking a warm foot bath. Try to

avoid pressure from shoes that don’t

fit right. Try not to expose your feet

to cold temperatures. Don’t sit for

long periods of time (especially with

your legs crossed). Don’t smoke.

Wearing comfortable shoes that fit

well can prevent many foot ailments.

Here are some tips for getting a

proper shoe fit:

✦ The size of your feet changes

as you grow older so always

have your feet measured before

buying shoes. The best time

to measure your feet is at

the end of the day when

your feet are largest.

✦ Most of us have one

foot that is larger than

the other, so fit your shoe

to your larger foot.

✦ Don’t select shoes by the size

marked inside the shoe but

by how the shoe fits your foot.
2 

National Institute on Aging

AgePage

Foot Care

When we are in love we may be “swept

off our feet.” When we don’t want to do

something we are said to have “cold feet.”

A sensible person “has both feet on the

ground.” Sometimes we even “vote with

our feet.”

Years of wear and tear can be hard on

our feet. So can disease, poor circulation, improperly trimmed toenails,

and wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. Problems with our feet can be

the first sign of more serious medical

conditions such as arthritis, diabetes,

and nerve and circulatory disorders.

Preventing Foot Trouble

Practice good foot care. Check your

feet regularly, or have a member of

your family check them. Podiatrists

and primary care doctors (internists

and family practitioners) are qualified to treat most foot problems.

Sometimes the special skills of an

orthopedic surgeon or dermatologist

are needed.

It also helps to keep blood circulating to your feet as much as possible.

Do this by putting your feet up when

you are sitting or lying down, stretching if you’ve had to sit for a long while,

walking, having a gentle foot massage,

or taking a warm foot bath. Try to

avoid pressure from shoes that don’t

fit right. Try not to expose your feet

to cold temperatures. Don’t sit for

long periods of time (especially with

your legs crossed). Don’t smoke.

Wearing comfortable shoes that fit

well can prevent many foot ailments.

Here are some tips for getting a

proper shoe fit:

✦ The size of your feet changes

as you grow older so always

have your feet measured before

buying shoes. The best time

to measure your feet is at

the end of the day when

your feet are largest.

✦ Most of us have one

foot that is larger than

the other, so fit your shoe

to your larger foot.

✦ Don’t select shoes by the size

marked inside the shoe but

by how the shoe fits your foot.
Corns and calluses are caused by

friction and pressure when the bony

parts of your feet rub against your

shoes. If you have corns or calluses,

see your doctor. Sometimes wearing

shoes that fit better or using special

pads solves the problem. Treating

corns and calluses yourself may be

harmful, especially if you have diabetes

or poor circulation. Over-the-counter

medicines contain acids that destroy

the tissue but do not treat the cause.

Sometimes these medicines reduce

the need for surgery, but check with

your doctor before using them.

Warts are skin growths caused by

viruses. They are sometimes painful

and, if untreated, may spread. Since

over-the-counter preparations rarely

cure warts, see your doctor. A doctor

can apply medicines, burn or freeze

the wart off, or take the wart off

with surgery.

Bunions develop

when the joints in

your big toe no

longer fit together

as they should and

become swollen and

tender. Bunions tend

to run in families. If a

bunion is not severe,

wearing shoes cut wide at the instep

and toes, taping the foot, or wearing pads that cushion the bunion

may help the pain. Other treatments

include physical therapy and wearing orthotic devices or shoe inserts.

A doctor can also prescribe anti--

inflammatory drugs and cortisone

injections for pain. Sometimes

surgery is needed to relieve the

pressure and repair the toe joint.

Ingrown toenails occur when a

piece of the nail breaks the skin —

which can happen if you don’t cut

your nails properly. Ingrown toenails

are very common in the large toes.

A doctor can remove the part of the

nail that is cutting into the skin. This

allows the area to heal. Ingrown toenails can often be avoided by cutting

the toenail straight across and level

with the top of the toe.

Hammertoe is caused by a shortening of the tendons that control toe

movements. The toe knuckle is usually

enlarged, drawing the toe back. Over

time, the joint enlarges and stiffens

as it rubs against shoes. Your balance

may be affected. Wearing shoes and

stockings with plenty of toe room is

a treatment for hammertoe. In very

serious cases, surgery may be needed.

5 6 
Corns and calluses are caused by

friction and pressure when the bony

parts of your feet rub against your

shoes. If you have corns or calluses,

see your doctor. Sometimes wearing

shoes that fit better or using special

pads solves the problem. Treating

corns and calluses yourself may be

harmful, especially if you have diabetes

or poor circulation. Over-the-counter

medicines contain acids that destroy

the tissue but do not treat the cause.

Sometimes these medicines reduce

the need for surgery, but check with

your doctor before using them.

Warts are skin growths caused by

viruses. They are sometimes painful

and, if untreated, may spread. Since

over-the-counter preparations rarely

cure warts, see your doctor. A doctor

can apply medicines, burn or freeze

the wart off, or take the wart off

with surgery.

Bunions develop

when the joints in

your big toe no

longer fit together

as they should and

become swollen and

tender. Bunions tend

to run in families. If a

bunion is not severe,

wearing shoes cut wide at the instep

and toes, taping the foot, or wearing pads that cushion the bunion

may help the pain. Other treatments

include physical therapy and wearing orthotic devices or shoe inserts.

A doctor can also prescribe anti--

inflammatory drugs and cortisone

injections for pain. Sometimes

surgery is needed to relieve the

pressure and repair the toe joint.

Ingrown toenails occur when a

piece of the nail breaks the skin —

which can happen if you don’t cut

your nails properly. Ingrown toenails

are very common in the large toes.

A doctor can remove the part of the

nail that is cutting into the skin. This

allows the area to heal. Ingrown toenails can often be avoided by cutting

the toenail straight across and level

with the top of the toe.

Hammertoe is caused by a shortening of the tendons that control toe

movements. The toe knuckle is usually

enlarged, drawing the toe back. Over

time, the joint enlarges and stiffens

as it rubs against shoes. Your balance

may be affected. Wearing shoes and

stockings with plenty of toe room is

a treatment for hammertoe. In very

serious cases, surgery may be needed.

5 6