Feet are locked up nearly 9 months out of 12 in shoes that are sometimes uncomfortable or unsuitable. Badly treated, the feet suffer from a lack of interest until the pain occurs. It's too late: you have a corns on your foot, cracks under your heel or an ingrown toenail. 

Who better than a podiatrist to talk to us about feet? So I asked my friend Annabelle De Sauw, a foot doctor and posturologist, to give us some tips on how to take care of our feet naturally.

Hyperkeratosis: how to take care of it naturally.

Hyperkeratosis is the scientific term for a thickening of the superficial part of the epidermis called the stratum corneum. The cells making up this surface layer are rich in a protein, Keratin, which gives them this dry and hard appearance. Corns, calluses and calluses are hyperkeratoses.

During pedicure treatments, Annabelle uses sweet almond oil for its slightly emollient properties. Moreover, this oil nourishes the nails which need to be regularly hydrated.

She adds, "For fun, you can add lavender or tea tree essential oil against fungal infections as a preventative or curative measure. It is important to avoid anything sharp and from time to time, after bathing, take a boxwood stick to remove what accumulates under the nails including small skins and others that will create pressure over time. Delicacy is required, be careful, nothing aggressive! Occasionally grate calluses and moisturize them regularly. If they are too large, it is better to consult a podiatrist who will use a scalpel".

Soothe and prevent the appearance of calluses and corns naturally

To soothe a callus with cracked and dehydrated skin, start by removing dead skin. Then massage the area with a vegetable oil. Once the oil is well absorbed, apply a thick layer of cream and wrap the foot in cellophane. Keep for at least 1 hour, at best, all night. The skin of the foot will then be rehydrated and extremely soft...

I will add that in Africa, to soften "rough" feet, a thick layer of shea butter is applied, the foot is wrapped in plastic, all held in a sock. To keep all night long.

It is important to take care towear shoes that are adapted to the morphology of one's foot because shoes that are too narrow or too small will promote the appearance of corns. Sometimes a posture readjustment by a professional can distribute force, weight, and support throughout the foot. It is also possible to apply corrective devices such as plasters or tubes, and if the case requires it, the podiatrist can fabricate anorthoplasty to alter the position of the toes. This device is not only corrective but also protective.

Other recommendations from a podiatrist for good foot health

Annabelle insists:"The idea is to keep the skin and nails supple because they have a defense barrier role. If there are lesions or they are of poor quality, there is a high risk of infection. " She also reminds us of the importance of the diet, which should be predominantly basic, so as not to develop from mycosis.

• In the case of an ingrown toenail and depending on its stage, it is possible to correct the shape of the nail (orthonyxia) with a painless tab glued to the surface. This can often avoid the need for surgery.
• Beware of nail polish that chokes the nail! Annabelle advises us to wear them in summer intermittently because these would be a factor favoring mycosis of the nails without mentioning the toxic products that pass this barrier, the nail being extremely porous...
• Walking barefoot as often as possible especially the very young so that they develop their proprioception faculties stimulating the sensors of balance. The plantar venous network is dense and it is important to stimulate it.
• Encourage wearing socks and tights made of natural material. Cotton, linen, silk thread allow the skin to breathe and avoid sweat maceration which will limit the development of germs.
• Tip for runners: prepare an "anti-blister" remedy with lemon juice that will tan the skin and then moisturize. To be done every day, 15 days before the event.

Enriched with his advice, our feet will now be able to say "Thank you!"