28 things your podiatrist won’t tell you

AmLactin is just an over-the-counter lotion, but it’s like a miracle. Dr Sutera recommends putting it on a couple of times a week, and the calluses will just slough off.

Read on to find out what really causes cracked heels – and how to get rid of them.

That doesn’t mean podiatrists will do it, though, because it won’t fix the problem. It’s best to get bunions taken care of at a young age. If you wait until they get really bad, they’re much harder to fix warns Dr Reid.

A candidate for bunion surgery is someone who has difficulty wearing shoes and foot pain is starting to slow them down physically. Someone who says, for example, “I used to love going for long walks and now I can’t because my feet hurt.” Dr Sutera says that people with mild to moderate bunions often can get relief from wider shoes, massage, stretching, orthotics, and some padding.

Dr Andersen says that though you might be embarrassed by your stubble, but it will be worse when bacteria and fungus enter the microscopic nicks on your skin and lead to an infection.

Coconut oil is known to have anti-fungal properties. Dr Suters suggests using it to moisturise cuticles, as well as skin – especially cracked and calloused areas.

Find out how to stay on your feet despite corns, calluses and cracked heels.

But unless he or she is specifically trained in the foot and ankle, Dr Reid recommends going to a podiatrist.

That might not be your big toe – a lot of people’s second toe is longer, says Dr Weisenfeld.

Dr Weisenfeld advises that there should be one thumb’s width between the end of your longest toe and the tip of the shoe.

Barefoot running on concrete can mean you’ll end up with stress fractures and some very bad inflammation, warns Dr Sutera.

Check out these running mistakes you didn’t know you were making.

An infection in your foot that’s left unchecked can lead to a bone infection. Even a seemingly minor infection from a pedicure can become much more serious if it travels to the bone. Dr Andersen recommends addressing these early and consistently.