Written by Chad Birt on Mon Dec 30 2024.
Foot pain is a common complaint, particularly among older adults. In fact, one-third of people aged 65 and older experience painful, stiff, or aching feet, according to Health In Aging. While you can't prevent all foot and nail issues, a consistent at-home foot care regimen can significantly reduce your risk of problems like ingrown nails, toenail fungus, corns, calluses, and more.
To help you gather the essential supplies, we've compiled this comprehensive roundup of the best items for at-home foot care.
Whether for yourself or a loved one, consistent at-home foot care can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you're dealing with or at risk for any of the following conditions:
Ingrown toenails
Toenail fungus (onychomycosis)
Bunions
Blisters
Corns or calluses
Hammertoes
Flat feet
Plantar fasciitis
Beyond addressing specific issues, daily inspection and care of your feet, toes, and nails can even help manage diabetes by reducing the risk of serious complications like poor circulation and nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy).
The simplest way to determine if your loved one needs professional foot care is to schedule an appointment with their primary care physician. After a thorough examination, the doctor can provide a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.
Most minor issues, such as ingrown nails and calluses, often improve with rest, consistent at-home care, and appropriate footwear changes. However, if your loved one has diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or another medical condition that affects their circulation, their doctor may refer them to a foot specialist (podiatrist) for expert care.
The items featured in this guide are a carefully selected mix of our highest-rated and best-selling foot care products. To give you real-world insights, we've included authentic customer and user feedback.
Keeping your toenails clean and trimmed is one of the easiest ways to prevent common problems like hangnails and ingrown nails. What’s more, shorter nails are less likely to collect bacteria or debris, reducing your risk of infection.
Caregiver Tip: Try trimming your nails straight across instead of at an angle. The more rounded your nails are, the more likely they are to grow into your skin.
Key Benefits & Features:
Rubberized grip for maximum control
Catches nail clippings
Thumb-squeeze lever
Customer Review: “Lived up to the name: easy to hold. Very sharp, good value for the price.” - Susan S.
If you or your loved one has diabetes or another health problem that affects circulation, cleaning and inspecting your feet daily can prevent complications. This lightly scented soap from McKesson contains benzethonium chloride to eliminate harmful bacteria. The bottle has an easy-to-dispense bottle cap and can be used to wash hands or feet thoroughly.
Key Benefits & Features:
Helps prevent cross-contamination
0.13% strength
Made without rubber or latex
Caregiver Tip: Caregivers tell us they often transfer this soap to a gallon bottle and add a push pump for easy dispensing.
The Visco-GEL toe cap helps relieve pain and stiffness caused by hammertoes, ingrown nails, corns, or calluses. It’s a smooth, silicone-like cap that absorbs pressure and friction from the way you walk. The built-in vent allows your toe to breathe and helps encourage healing.
Key Benefits & Features:
Protects sore or irritated spots on the toes
Surrounds and protects the entire toe
The gel softens and moisturizes
Customer Review: “I purchased one of these for my mom and she liked it so well, I got her a couple more. The first one she used for her big toe, but wanted more for her other toes. Unfortunately, the only size available is large, so she’s using that size on her other toes. She wears socks over them, so that helps to keep the caps from sliding off.” - Patti H.
This manicure/pedicure set from Medicool is specifically designed for people with diabetes. It contains an electronic nail file and six removable diamond-filing attachments. The powerful motor runs on two AA batteries and can safely debride fungal nails, thickened skin, corns, and calluses.
Key Benefits & Features:
Makes it easy to shape and form nails
Safely removes thick skin and calluses
Comes with a travel case
The skin on the heels and balls of the feet is susceptible to friction from socks and shoes. What’s more, health problems like diabetes and peripheral neuropathy cause the skin to dry out and affect oil production.
This moisturizing foot cream from Pedifix is formulated to heal dry, cracked, and chaffing skin. Apply it twice daily for maximum results.
Key Benefits & Features:
Hydrates dry, irritated skin
Penetrates deep, smoothing even the roughest areas
Contains vitamins A, D, and E
Customer Review: “I used this on my feet and there was a dramatic difference in the morning. My feet are softer and feel great. I’ll always buy this.” - Betsy T.
These inserts from MooreMedical help relieve pain caused by calluses, blisters, and other sore spots. They provide padding for the balls of the feet or the undersides of the toes. Make sure to include these toe pads in your at-home foot care kit if you’re mobile and spend lots of time on your feet. They reduce pressure from footwear and make it easier to move around.
Key Benefits & Features:
8 pads per package
Each pad is held in place with a water-based, medical-grade acrylic adhesive
Pads are made from soft, durable flannel
Before building your personalized at-home foot care kit, consider these important factors:
Diagnoses: The items you include should directly address any existing diagnoses. For example, if ingrown toenails are a recurring issue, essential tools like quality nail clippers and a nail file are a must.
Activity level: Do you or your loved one spend a lot of time on your feet? If so, ensure your kit includes protective gear like toe pads or caps to prevent friction and pressure points.
Skin sensitivity: Certain health problems, such as diabetes, can lead to dry skin, making feet more vulnerable to injury and infection. Look for foot care products that contain soothing and moisturizing ingredients like aloe and vitamin E.
Risk of diabetic ulcers and other open wounds: Diabetes and peripheral arterial disease significantly increase the risk of slow-healing wounds on the feet, ankles, and toes. If foot ulcers are a concern, it is crucial to include wound care supplies such as bandages, gauze, and antibacterial ointment, and consult a healthcare professional.
The easiest way to maintain healthy feet is to inspect and care for them daily. Foot care professionals generally recommend a simple three-step approach:
Step 1: Wear properly fitting shoes.
Step 2: Keep your feet and toes dry (e.g., wear moisture-wicking socks and allow your feet to breathe).
Step 3: Trim your nails regularly, and use a pumice stone or callus shaver to smooth excess skin and calluses.
Corns and calluses develop due to excess pressure or friction. Often, they can be prevented by wearing properly fitting shoes. If you have rough or thickened skin on the heels or balls of your feet, try smoothing it out with a pumice stone or a specialized callus shaver.
Caregiver Tip: Never cut or dig into your skin with nail clippers or tweezers, especially if you have diabetes or circulation issues. It is much safer and highly recommended to have a podiatrist handle stubborn calluses or ingrown nails.
At-home foot care is vital because it can significantly reduce your risk of common age-related problems like bunions, hammertoes, corns, and calluses. For individuals with diabetes, diligent foot care can even help manage blood sugar and prevent more serious complications such as neuropathy and infections, preserving mobility and overall health.
Foot problems, such as ingrown nails and heel pain, can severely impact your quality of life, keeping you from enjoying time with loved ones or pursuing hobbies. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be that way! With a well-equipped at-home foot care kit as part of your essential supplies, you can address potential issues early, before they escalate.
This product guide highlights some of our most popular and effective foot care products. If you have additional questions or need personalized recommendations, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our friendly Care Specialists are ready to help you find everything you need to keep your feet and nails healthy and comfortable.
If you're looking for guidance on what at-home foot care products may be best for you or a loved one, our Caregiving Specialists are here to assist! Call us at (800) 696-CARE or email us at support@carewell.com, and one of our specialists will be happy to help you.
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Read More >Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
