Medical foot care

Medical foot care is the professional, hygienic treatment of the feet and nails to prevent and relieve pathological changes. Unlike purely cosmetic care, its focus is health: calluses, corns, ingrown or thickened nails and athlete's foot are treated in a specialised, controlled way.

Updated 2026-10-11

Medical foot care: Gesundheit – CityHero glossary graphic

What is Medical foot care?

Medical foot care covers the professional treatment of problems affecting the feet, toes and nails. It addresses issues such as calluses and hard skin, corns, ingrown, thickened or fungal nails, pressure points and dry, cracked skin. The approach is medical and hygienic rather than merely cosmetic: instruments are sterilised, and the treatment is guided by the actual condition of the foot.

An appointment usually starts with a short conversation and a visual check of the feet. Nails are then trimmed and shaped, calluses and corns are gently removed, and the skin is treated. Depending on the findings, techniques such as nail-correction braces for ingrown nails or pressure-relief measures may be used. Advice matters too: guidance on suitable footwear, correct nail care and warning signs to watch for.

Medical foot care is especially needed by people with diabetes, circulatory problems, rheumatism or heavy calluses, as well as older people who can no longer reach their feet easily. With diabetes, regular foot checks are essential because small injuries can go unnoticed.

When choosing a provider, qualification is key: podologists with a recognised diploma (in Switzerland at HF level) are the first choice for medical cases. Look for hygiene, proper instrument reprocessing and careful advice. A common mistake is cutting into ingrown nails or wounds yourself, especially with diabetes, instead of seeking professional help.

Example: Medical foot care in practice

A 72-year-old woman from Winterthur notices an ingrown nail on her big toe but can barely reach her feet because of back problems. At the podology practice the nail is professionally relieved, a correction brace is fitted and the calluses are removed. She receives tips for daily care and a follow-up appointment for a check-up.

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Frequently asked

What is the difference between medical and cosmetic foot care?

Cosmetic foot care focuses on appearance and wellbeing, such as polishing nails and moisturising the skin. Medical foot care treats health problems like ingrown nails, corns, nail fungus or pressure points using sterile instruments. For conditions such as diabetes, the medical option provided by trained podologists is the right choice.

Does Swiss health insurance cover the costs?

This depends on your individual situation and your insurance. For medically justified treatments, for example diabetic foot care with a doctor's referral, a contribution may be possible. Purely cosmetic care is generally not covered. Clarify the scope and conditions in advance directly with your health insurer and the practice.

How often should you have medical foot care?

This depends on your individual needs. For healthy feet an appointment every few weeks to months is often enough, while people with diabetes, heavy calluses or recurring problems need closer monitoring. After the first treatment the specialist will recommend a suitable interval for you.

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