URMC / Encyclopedia / Content Search Encyclopedia How Much Do You Know About Foot Health? Most people would agree that it's no small problem when their feet ache. Yet few other parts of the body are more neglected in terms of basic personal care. And major foot problems and chronic pain often go ignored. Learning about foot care can help you recognize when to see a healthcare provider for treatment. 1. You should inspect your feet regularly. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Dry, scaling skin or inflammation of the skin may mean athlete's foot. Blisters, corns, and calluses are caused by friction, usually by shoes that do not fit correctly or by wearing shoes without socks. Warts are caused by a virus that infects the skin. People with diabetes run a higher risk for foot infections because of delayed healing, so they need to inspect their feet every day for non-healing sores or wounds. A. TrueB. False 2. Trim your toenails to follow the curve of your toe. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is You should trim your toenails straight across. If you trim them in a curve, the edges of the nail can grow into the skin, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Don't trim your toenails too short, because this also can result in an ingrown nail. Cut them so that you can see a bit of skin just above the nail edge. Don't let them grow so long that they extend past your toes. A. TrueB. False 3. For people who don't have circulation problems, it's safe to use over-the-counter remedies for foot ailments such as corns or warts. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is If you have circulation problems or diabetes, check with your healthcare provider before using these remedies. Many of them contain salicylic acid. This may be harmful if you have poor circulation. A. TrueB. False 4. Having a pedicure can treat foot problems. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Pedicurists aren't trained to treat ingrown nails or to cut calluses or corns from feet. A. TrueB. False 5. You shouldn't wear the same pair of shoes for 2 or more days in a row. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is You should alternate shoes to let them dry out before wearing them again. Doing so can help prevent foot odor. Change socks every day, as well. A. TrueB. False 6. High heels often cause foot problems in women. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is High heels force most of the body weight onto the toes and disrupt the natural stride. A. TrueB. False 7. Years of wearing narrow shoes that squeeze the toes together can cause bunions. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is This is why women tend to develop bunions more than men, although men who wear tight shoes also are at risk. A bunion is an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe. Bunions tend to run in families, when a foot type that makes bunions more likely is passed down from parent to child. People who have flat feet or low arches also are more at risk for bunions, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. People such as ballet dancers whose jobs or professions place stress on their feet are also at higher risk. A. TrueB. False Your score was: Medical Reviewers: Banerjee, Rahul, MD Turley, Raymond Kent, BSN, MSN, RN Wojcik, Stacey, MBA, BSN