WHAT DO YOUR FEET REVEAL?

Step into summer niggle-free with these top fixes for common problems

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Just stripped off your socks and not happy with what you see? You're not alone - only 3% of women over 35 think they have 'normal' feet and 67% have some form of foot or joint problems*.

But don't panic. From easing aches and pains to preventing unsightly-looking toes, we'll show you how to sort these everyday issues so you can survive sandal season in style.

Athlete's foot

'With a bout of athlete's foot, the skin between the toes and on the sole of the foot becomes itchy, flaky and can peel, causing soreness,' says podiatrist Tony Gavin (osgo.co.uk). It's caused by the dermatophyte fungi thriving inside a sock or shoe. The same fungi can lead to nail infections, causing toenails to change colour, thicken, become brittle and develop a distinct odour.

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Ask at your chemist for off-the-shelf treatment, such as creams or sprays for athlete's foot and nail fungi, or your GP may prescribe antifungal tablets.

Wash your socks, tights, bed sheets and towels on a hot wash on the day of treatment to reduce the risk of reinfection.

Infections spread in warm, moist environments, such as bathroom floors, gyms and changing rooms, so wear flip-flops in communal areas.

Bloated ankles

Dread wearing skirts because of puffy lower legs? There are lots of reasons why ankles swell, says podiatrist Natalie Gooding, including being sedentary (which can increase water retention), medication and being overweight.

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