Be Generous to Your Toes This Summer

Cure Cracked Heels
When your feet are open to the elements in sandals, they're likely to dry out. Open-backed shoes, which rub around the edge of the heel, can cause dry heels to crack and become quite sore.

Podiatrist Lorraine Jones advises moisturizing twice a day to prevent heels from cracking, and using a pumice stone or non-metal foot-file in the shower or bath to exfoliate any build-up of skin. "If the problem worsens, you may need to seek help from a podiatrist," says Jones.

"In some more severe cases, strapping may be used to "hold" the cracks together while they heal and insoles may be used to alter the way you walk to prevent the thick skin from developing."

Invest in a foot cream, like E45 Foot & Heel Cream, from Boots, and use a file after bathing, like Kiss Pedicure File, from Boots.

In-Growing Toenails
Tight shoes press on the edges of toenails and cause them to grow inwards. The skin around a toenail will get sore. Ignoring it could end in surgery to remove part of the nail.

"Always cut the nail straight across," says Lai. Clip your nails into shape with Ms. Pedicure Toenail Clipper, from Boots.

Bunions and Corns
"Bunions usually happen in the joint of the big toe and are more of a structural deformity, where the first big-toe bone moves to the right or left. They can be painful and cause difficulty fitting into shoes," says Lai.

If you're having problems with a bunion, see a podiatrist, who may prescribe orthotic devices -- supports which go in shoes -- to stabilise the joints.

A build-up of hard skin, known as a corn, might develop where your shoes rub on the bunion.

"Pumicing gently can help, but if it becomes a problem, then see a podiatrist to treat it," says Lai.

Try Ms Pedicure Natural Pumice Stone, from Boots.

Verrucas and Athlete's Foot
While verrucas are a virus and Athlete's Foot is a fungus, they both get passed around in moist areas, like the floors of swimming-pool changing rooms, so it's a good idea to wear flip flops to and from the pool.

"Verrucas are warts that grow on the soles of your feet, they can grow painful and spread," says Lai. "I've seen 42 verrucas on one person. Get them frozen off with liquid nitrogen by a podiatrist or treat them yourself."

Rub the skin with a pumice stone, before applying a gel or cream from your pharmacist, such as Bazuka Sub-Zero.

Athlete's Foot thrives in the warm sweaty bits between your toes, making your skin itchy and flaky.

"It doesn't mean you're unhygienic, because you catch it in communal areas. Treat it as soon as you can with natural products like tea-tree oil, and let your feet breathe in sandals."

If untreated, the fungus can spread to your toenails, making them yellow, thick and flaky.

Try Australian Antiseptic Tea Tree Oil,, and Australian Antiseptic Tea Tree Nail Solution from Holland & Barrett.