Since most foot problems are caused by abuse and neglect, there are many things you can do to help prevent problems.

Medical visits

• Report any foot pain or discomfort to your doctor. Your feet are not supposed to hurt.
• Have a foot checkup at age 50, or earlier if you are very active.
• Make sure your children's feet are checked regularly throughout infancy and childhood.

Exercise and your feet

• Wear appropriate, properly fitted athletic shoes when you exercise.
• Walk often. Walking is the best exercise for your feet. It also contributes to your general health by improving circulation, contributing to weight control and promoting all-around well-being.
• Emphasize proper technique and basic movement skills in all sports, especially in children younger than age 10.
• Warm-up before participating in sports, at any age.
• Vary your sports. (Experts say that children who concentrate on a single sport at too young an age are more likely to develop injuries of the foot and ankle. Save specialization in sports for the late teens.)
• Avoid walking barefoot on dirty pavements or littered ground. It can expose feet to painful skin infections, splinters, and lacerations.

Buying footwear

• Shop for shoes in the afternoon. Your feet tend to swell during the day, and it's best to buy shoes to fit you then.
• Have your feet measured every time you purchase shoes.
• Have your feet measured while you're standing.
• Try shoes on both feet. Many people have one foot larger than the other. It's best to fit the larger one.
• Realize that high-heels, pointy-toed shoes and certain other dictates of fashion can harm your feet. If you must wear them, do so infrequently and for short periods of time.
• Recognize the signs of ill-fitting shoes. (For example, corns and calluses are caused by friction from skin rubbing against bony areas of the feet, usually caused by shoes that don't fit properly.)
• It's best to have more than one pair of shoes, and alternate wearing them to avoid rapid deterioration of the shoes.
• The condition of the shoe is more important than the price tag or brand-name.
• Excessive wearing of the outsole, loss of shoe counter support, or wearing out in the midsole indicate it's time to replace the shoes.

Toenail tips

• Trim your toenails straight across with clippers specially designed for the purpose.
• Leave toenails slightly longer than the tips of your toes.