When it comes to taking care of your feet, the simple things can be the most important.

“Inspect them and keep them clean,” said Gretchen Perschke, a doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Family Foot Care. “Feet are not meant to be dirty, so clean between the toes. People don’t do that; people forget. Between your toes is just as important as under your arms.”

Trimming your toenails also goes a long way in preventing toe injury, Perschke added.

“If they can’t reach their feet, obviously, that’s where we come in — a podiatrist is here to help,” Perschke said. “People get their nails snagged on their socks or on bedsheets and the nail gets partially or even fully ripped off if the nail is not kept at an appropriate length.”

If you do notice any issues, it’s best to see a professional for help.

“Avoid bathroom surgery,” Perschke said. “(People) try to fix problems themselves and make the problem worse than it actually is. This is more regarding the self-care of toenails.”

There are real benefits to being conscientious.

“By taking care of your feet and making sure they’re healthy, you can avoid infections,” Perschke said. “You could potentially avoid ingrown toenails and athlete’s foot infections. … Wearing proper shoes — good, supportive shoes — that’s another thing that I would recommend.”