Foot complaints such as corns, calluses, plantar warts, and fungal infections are among the most frequent reasons for self-care in the community. Many patients try to manage these conditions on their own before seeking professional advice, often guided by long-standing beliefs. In pharmacy practice, recognizing these misconceptions is essential to prevent inappropriate self-treatment and unnecessary complications 1-3.
Use of Home and Traditional Treatments
Many patients attempt to manage common foot problems using household or traditional approaches before seeking professional advice.
These practices are often viewed as natural, harmless, or inexpensive, and may feel more accessible than medical treatment. As a result, effective care is sometimes delayed until symptoms persist or complications develop.
While some of these approaches may provide temporary symptom relief, they do not address the underlying cause of the condition and may irritate or damage the skin, particularly in individuals with diabetes or reduced foot sensation, for whom such practices may be unsafe. In pharmacy practice, this behavior is often identified only once symptoms persist, worsen, or complications arise, underlining the value of early counselling 1.
Common misconceptions expressed by patients
“Corns and calluses are just dead skin that I can remove myself.”
Patients often see hyperkeratotic lesions as a purely cosmetic issue. In practice, these lesions reflect repeated pressure or friction. Removing thickened skin without addressing mechanical causes frequently leads to recurrence and increases the risk of skin injury, particularly when sharp tools or abrasive devices are used at home 4.
“A plantar wart is the same thing as a corn.”
Because both conditions present as painful plantar lesions, patients commonly confuse them. This misunderstanding can lead to inappropriate treatment choices and prolonged symptoms. Clear differentiation is important, as viral warts and mechanical hyperkeratosis require different management strategies and expectations regarding treatment duration 4, 5.
“Fungal foot infections are not a real medical problem.”
Athlete’s foot and nail fungal infections are often considered minor or cosmetic. However, persistent fungal infection compromises the skin barrier and may contribute to secondary bacterial infection, especially in older adults and people with diabetes 6, 7.
“Home remedies are safer than medicines.”
Many patients believe that vinegar, herbal products, essential oils, or occlusive methods are harmless alternatives to medicinal treatments. These approaches may cause skin irritation or delay effective management, particularly when used repeatedly or on damaged skin.
“If it doesn’t hurt, it isn’t serious.”
This belief is particularly risky in patients with diabetes or sensory impairment. Reduced pain perception can mask tissue damage or infection, making regular inspection and early professional advice essential even in the absence of pain 8-10.
Consequences of Delayed Care
Delaying appropriate management can result in more extensive disease, secondary infection, and increased treatment burden. This is particularly relevant for people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or reduced sensation, in whom minor skin lesions may progress rapidly. Pharmacists are often the last opportunity to intervene before complications occur.
Role of the Pharmacist
Pharmacists are well placed to challenge misconceptions in a practical and non-alarmist way. This includes assessing risk factors, identifying situations that require referral, and guiding patients toward evidence-based self-care options. Advice on appropriate topical treatments, regular skin hydration, pressure redistribution, and foot hygiene supports safe daily foot care.
Within this framework, pharmacy-available foot care solutions, including keratolytic products, antifungal treatments, cushioning, and protective devices, can help symptom management and prevention when used appropriately and with clear guidance, rather than as substitutes for diagnosis or follow-up.
- Baboun, D., et al., Natural Treatment Options for Nail Disorders. Skin Appendage Disord, 2024. 10(2): p. 83-91.
- Perrin, B.M., H. Swerissen, and C. Payne, The association between foot-care self efficacy beliefs and actual foot-care behaviour in people with peripheral neuropathy: a cross-sectional study. J Foot Ankle Res, 2009. 2: p. 3.
- Zhu, X., et al., Exploring barriers and enablers of self-management behaviours in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A qualitative study from the perceptions of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in primary care. Int Wound J, 2023. 20(7): p. 2764-2779.
- Al Aboud, A.M. and S.N.S. Yarrarapu, Corns, in StatPearls. 2025: Treasure Island (FL) ineligible companies. Disclosure: Siva Naga Yarrarapu declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
- Witchey, D.J., et al., Plantar Warts: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management. J Am Osteopath Assoc, 2018. 118(2): p. 92-105.
- Leung, A.K., et al., Tinea pedis: an updated review. Drugs Context, 2023. 12.
- Nigam, P.K., H.A. Syed, and D. Saleh, Tinea Pedis, in StatPearls. 2025: Treasure Island (FL) ineligible companies. Disclosure: Hasnain Syed declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. Disclosure: Dahlia Saleh declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
- Bus, S.A., et al., Guidelines on the prevention of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes (IWGDF 2023 update). Diabetes Metab Res Rev, 2024. 40(3): p. e3651.
- Schaper, N.C., et al., Practical guidelines on the prevention and management of diabetes-related foot disease (IWGDF 2023 update). Diabetes Metab Res Rev, 2024. 40(3): p. e3657.
- Soprovich, A.L., et al., Systematic review of community pharmacy-based and pharmacist-led foot care interventions for adults with type 2 diabetes. Can Pharm J (Ott), 2019. 152(2): p. 109-116.
