Our guide to good home foot care.

Little and often is my mantra when it comes to feet.

A friend of mine who is a chiropodist agrees. Regularly filed and creamed heels are much less likely to form cracks and associated complications than those left and forgotten.Another therapist friend suggests you put the plug in or cover the plug hole when showering, and ensure you are well hydrated during the day.

Use a foot file weekly to go over heels and any other hard patches, use it dry before bathing or showering. You'll get a fine dust off any dry patches. Don't go overboard and make your skin sore though. Find a foot cream you like, use up all those old body lotions you were given, slap it on and put your favourite socks on for the day.

Keep nails in trim with clippers or a file, don't cut down the sides, aim to cut them straight accross, in Spring, if you intend to paint your toe nails during the summer, allow them to grow gradually longer and gently round the corners once they are free of the sideswall skin of the toe at the end of the nail.

Why not try our Home Pedicure Guide to give yourself some real pampering!