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Men's Foot and Nail Care
Most men don’t give their feet much attention. Until a fiery, itchy case of athlete’s foot flares up, that is. Or a gnarly-looking callus or corn appears just before a big race. Or someone near and dear takes one look at a crusty toenail and says, “Yuck.”
Feet, like hands, don’t require a lot of maintenance. But by stocking your medicine cabinet and gym bag with a few items, you can keep them healthy and decent looking. Here’s all you need.
Toenail Care for Men
The leading cause of hangnails and ingrown toenails is clumsy nail trimming. “If you trim your toenails too short, you can expose some of the tissue at the edges or under the nail, which is painful and can lead to infections,” says Tracey Vlahovic, DPM, associate professor of podiatry and orthopedics at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine.
- Look for nail “nippers” that have a curved handle and a cutting jaw shaped to follow the natural curve of nails. You can find them at drugstores and beauty supply shops.
Nail nippers are particularly useful for toenails, which are hard for many people to reach.
Calluses and Blisters on Men’s Feet
Whether you’re a serious athlete or just a weekend warrior, you’ve probably been sidelined by painful blisters or calluses on your feet. The culprit is usually poor-fitting shoes, says Vlahovic. The result: chafing that can lead to blisters and calluses. Get rid of ill-fitting shoes. Stock a box of bandages to put on your feet at the first sign of irritation.
If calluses or corns show up, soak your feet in water for 10 to 15 minutes to help soften up the skin. Then gently remove the thickened skin with a pumice stone.
Insoles for Comfort or Arch Support for Men
If you stand for long hours, you may end the day with a case of sore feet. Insoles can help make shoes more comfortable. But don’t count on most over-the-counter brands to offer much in the way of arch support.
- Look for insoles that have a plastic shell at the bottom, which makes them strong enough to provide real support, say podiatrists.
Anti-Fungal Lotion, Powder or Spray for Men
Stubborn cases of athlete’s foot are one of the biggest reasons men turn up at the podiatrist’s office. Dark and damp conditions allow the funguses that cause athlete’s foot to flourish. Basic good foot hygiene is the best way to prevent fungal infections.
Wash your feet frequently and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes, where the culprits typically take hold. Wear fresh socks daily.
Use an antifungal lotion or powder. Drugstores stock a wide variety of brands. Although different over-the-counter products use different active ingredients, all are just about equally effective, according to a 2008 review published in the British Journal of Dermatology.
- Look for a medicated powder or spray if you have sweaty feet, Vlahovic says. “For dry feet, go with an antifungal lotion.”
Use the product every day for a month. If the itchy, burning rash persists, make an appointment to see a podiatrist or doctor. You may need a prescription strength antifungal preparation. Or the problem may not be athlete’s foot but a bacterial infection requiring an antibiotic. Bacterial infections are one of the leading causes of chronically smelly feet.
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