Personal Foot Care guide

Personal foot care is an important part of everyday hygiene. Most adults should be able to manage their own foot care if they are physically able to do so.

Regular foot care helps keep feet comfortable, reduces the risk of problems, and supports mobility and overall wellbeing.

Toenail care

• Clip and file toenails carefully
• Keep nails at a comfortable length
• Nails should not be too long or too short.

Skin care

• Smooth and moisturise rough or dry skin
• Keep your feet clean, dry, warm, and comfortable.

Regular checks

You should regularly check your feet for:

• Cracks or breaks in the skin
• Redness, swelling, or signs of infection.

Footwear

• Wear shoes that are comfortable and well fitting
• Ensure footwear is in good condition
• Avoid shoes that rub or cause pressure.

How to perform personal foot care

Good foot care can be carried out by you, a family member, or a carer if needed. Regular care helps prevent discomfort, improves mobility, and supports independence.

Drying your feet

• Dry your feet thoroughly after washing
• Pay special attention to between the toes, as damp skin encourages fungal growth
• Keeping feet dry helps reduce the risk of fungal infections
• Check your feet at least once a week for any changes to the skin or nails.

Filing hard skin

• Gently remove calluses or hard skin using a pumice stone or foot file
• File when the skin is dry
• Do not over‑file, as this can damage healthy skin underneath.

Moisturising

• Apply moisturiser daily to dry skin
• Cover the whole foot
• Avoid applying moisturiser between the toes, as excess moisture can lead to infection.

Cutting your toenails

Please note Mersey Care's Podiatry Service does not provide a routine nail‑cutting service.

When cutting your toenails:

• Cut nails straight across
• Leave them slightly long so the corners rest gently against the skin
• Avoid cutting nails too short or rounding the edges.

Use nail clippers in a well‑lit room, then smooth sharp edges with a nail file to prevent snagging or irritation.

If you find cutting difficult, you may:

• File your nails twice a week
• Use a nail file instead of clippers.

Do

• File nails in one direction, away from your body
• Cut following the natural shape of the nail
• Take extra care to avoid injury.

Don’t

• Do not cut down the sides of the nail
• Do not pick or tear nails
• Do not cut toenails too short
• Do not cut a ‘V’ shape into the nail.

Our patients matter

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.

If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints Team

Telephone: 0151 471 2377 
Freephone: 0800 328 2941 
Email: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk