Welcome back to “Buy This, Not That.” People often ask me about calluses and athlete’s foot and how to treat these conditions at home. Let’s start with calluses. Various filers (like pumice stones) are available at your local drugstore. Pumice stones have helped many people smooth out their calluses, but people don’t realize that pumice stones can breed fungus when left in the shower. Buy PedEgg or Amope instead to smooth the calluses. Ensure your skin is dry when using these products; this will prevent scrapes and tears. When using these products, don’t go too low. Diabetics shouldn’t use these products because they lack sensation in their feet. Instead, seek the attention of a podiatrist for this condition.
Enough about calluses; let’s turn to athlete’s foot. Most people use a body lotion or even Vaseline for dry skin because athletes’ foot infections can mimic regular dry skin. People need to have the condition properly diagnosed first. So, to address the issue, buy an antifungal cream; don’t buy regular skin lotion. Fungus thrives in moist environments, so if your feet tend to sweat a lot – skin lotion will just add to the moisture. Use anti-perspirant spray on the bottom of your feet to keep them dry. Do not use foot powder. It is messy and won’t keep your feet as dry as anti-perspirant spray.
In the next installment of “Buy This, Not That,” I’ll discuss diabetic socks and over-the-counter inserts.
Dr. Dang H. Vu is a highly rated Baltimore Podiatrist, maintaining offices in Reisterstown and Towson for more than 15 years. He works hard to gain the trust and confidence of his patients. Dr. Vu is proud of the high praise and positive reviews offered by his Baltimore patients. He is board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is a member of the Maryland Podiatric Medical Association and the American Podiatric Medical Association.