Prevent foot pain: Six steps

When it comes to feet, people seem to think pain is normal.

The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists says that between 75% and 80% of adults have a foot problem, including heel pain, blisters, corns, pinched nerves and ingrown toenails.

"Foot pain isn't normal, and yet people put up with it," says podiatrist Dr Dennis Frisch.

Some people with heel pain, for instance, have had it for two years or longer.

There are some age-related changes in our feet that can make pain more likely. However, painful feet aren't inevitable with age, Frisch says.

If you follow six simple steps - some obvious, others often overlooked - chances are good you'll sail through life with comfortable, pain-free feet.

Here, Frisch and fellow chiropodist Dr Jeffrey A. Ross share their tips.

1. Pay attention to hygiene and pedicures

Feet are easy to ignore, especially in cooler months when they're often in closed-toe shoes or boots. A little attention can go a long way towards comfort, Frisch says.

''Make sure you cut toenails straight across" to avoid ingrown nails, Frisch says.

Moisturise dry skin on the foot when it's cracked to keep feet comfortable, Frisch says, and to help ward off infections when bacteria enter through cracked skin. �

"If you go to a pedicurist, be sure the shop is clean and take your own tools," Frisch says. Pedicure tools are widely sold at beauty supply shops and at some nail salons.

If a shop recommends you bring your own tools, that's a good sign, he says, indicating they are aware of the importance of good hygiene standards.

2. Be alert to age-related changes

Expect your foot to change as the years go by, Frisch says. Although the timing varies from person to person, changes in the 40s and 50s are typical, he says.

"With age, we lose some of our fat pads [on the bottom of the foot] and cushioning," Frisch says. That might mean wearing sturdier shoes, he says.

Arthritic changes can set in, Frisch says. The toes may bend or contract more, and the nails may be thicker, making you more prone to ingrown toenails.

Be alert for problems such as hammer toes, in which the middle joint bends down and the toes begin to look deformed or for bunions, bony bumps at the base of the big toe that can be painful. These conditions may appear or worsen with age.

"Foot size can change as you get older," Frisch says. Generally feet get longer and wider as the tendons loosen, he says. Don't be surprised if your shoe size changes and be sure to get feet measured when you buy shoes.

3. Wear shoes that fit - and match your activity

When trying on shoes, be sure they are not too tight in the toe box, Ross says. Otherwise your feet will be squeezed and uncomfortable.