Difference between revisions of "Care for Your Feet and Toenails"
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Your feet are two of the most abused and often used parts of the body, what with all the walking and running that you do everyday. Yet when it comes to our health and beauty routines, feet and toenails often get neglected. No matter what the season is, it is always important to keep your feet and toenails in tip-top condition. Learn how to care for your feet and toenails by having good hygiene, pampering them to heal soreness and callouses and getting medical attention when necessary. | Your feet are two of the most abused and often used parts of the body, what with all the walking and running that you do everyday. Yet when it comes to our health and beauty routines, feet and toenails often get neglected. No matter what the season is, it is always important to keep your feet and toenails in tip-top condition. Learn how to care for your feet and toenails by having good hygiene, pampering them to heal soreness and callouses and getting medical attention when necessary. | ||
| − | [[Category:Hand and Foot Care]] | + | [[Category: Hand and Foot Care]] |
| − | [[Category:Nail Care]] | + | [[Category: Nail Care]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Practicing Good Hygiene=== | ===Practicing Good Hygiene=== | ||
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#*Wear flip flops or shower shoes when you shower in locker rooms and other public places. | #*Wear flip flops or shower shoes when you shower in locker rooms and other public places. | ||
#*It's also important not to share shoes with other people. If you're an athlete, don't share cleats and other athletic equipment. | #*It's also important not to share shoes with other people. If you're an athlete, don't share cleats and other athletic equipment. | ||
| − | #Trim your toenails properly. Every few weeks, trim your toenails to keep them healthy and strong. Trimming them the wrong way results in ingrown toenails, which can be quite painful. Trim them strait across, rather than trimming the edges into a curve. You should also avoid trimming them too short, since this could result in ingrown toenails or an infection.<ref>http://www.webmd.com/beauty/advances-skin-care-9/foot-cream-toenail</ref> | + | #Trim your toenails properly. Every few weeks, trim your toenails to keep them healthy and strong. Trimming them the wrong way results in ingrown toenails, which can be quite painful. Trim them strait across, rather than trimming the edges into a curve. You should also avoid trimming them too short, since this could result in ingrown toenails or an infection.<ref name="rf18732">http://www.webmd.com/beauty/advances-skin-care-9/foot-cream-toenail</ref> |
#* If you would really prefer a rounded shape instead of a straight square, use a nail file to smooth out the ridges and to give the edges a bit of a curve, so you would end up with a square shape with rounded edges. | #* If you would really prefer a rounded shape instead of a straight square, use a nail file to smooth out the ridges and to give the edges a bit of a curve, so you would end up with a square shape with rounded edges. | ||
===Giving Yourself a Pedicure=== | ===Giving Yourself a Pedicure=== | ||
#Give your feet a pedicure every two weeks. Painting them does not necessarily have to be part of every pedicure routine, but regular pedicures really make a difference in keeping your feet soft and free from dry and rough skin, and your toenails clean and neat. You don't need to spend a lot of cash to have your pedicure professionally done in a salon, and with a few tools, you can do your own pedicure right in the comforts of your own home. | #Give your feet a pedicure every two weeks. Painting them does not necessarily have to be part of every pedicure routine, but regular pedicures really make a difference in keeping your feet soft and free from dry and rough skin, and your toenails clean and neat. You don't need to spend a lot of cash to have your pedicure professionally done in a salon, and with a few tools, you can do your own pedicure right in the comforts of your own home. | ||
#Start with a foot massage. If you’re on your feet a lot and they tend to be sore, massage them before you start your pedicure. While this step isn't absolutely necessary, it's a nice way to pamper yourself a little. If you're already taking time to give yourself a pedicure, why not? | #Start with a foot massage. If you’re on your feet a lot and they tend to be sore, massage them before you start your pedicure. While this step isn't absolutely necessary, it's a nice way to pamper yourself a little. If you're already taking time to give yourself a pedicure, why not? | ||
| − | #*Knead the soles. Use your thumbs to press into the soles of your feet in a circular kneading pattern. This well help loosen the tight muscles there.<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-103998/How-foot-massage.html</ref> | + | #*Knead the soles. Use your thumbs to press into the soles of your feet in a circular kneading pattern. This well help loosen the tight muscles there.<ref name="rf18733">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-103998/How-foot-massage.html</ref> |
#*Stretch the toes. One by one, gently pull your toes back and forth to stretch them out and ease tightness and soreness. | #*Stretch the toes. One by one, gently pull your toes back and forth to stretch them out and ease tightness and soreness. | ||
#Soak your feet for about 5-10 minutes in a large bowl with lukewarm water. As an added treat, you may also wish to infuse the water with a few drops of essential oils or Dead Sea salts, to keep the feet smelling good and to soften hard skin respectively. The soaking time indicated here is merely just a suggestion -- you may choose to soak your feet for much longer if you want to relax, or if the hardened skin on your feet need extra hydration. | #Soak your feet for about 5-10 minutes in a large bowl with lukewarm water. As an added treat, you may also wish to infuse the water with a few drops of essential oils or Dead Sea salts, to keep the feet smelling good and to soften hard skin respectively. The soaking time indicated here is merely just a suggestion -- you may choose to soak your feet for much longer if you want to relax, or if the hardened skin on your feet need extra hydration. | ||
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#*If you have a tendency to get callouses, consider a very rich cream. This will keep your skin moist and slow the growth of more callouses. | #*If you have a tendency to get callouses, consider a very rich cream. This will keep your skin moist and slow the growth of more callouses. | ||
#*If your [[Heal Cracked Skin | heels tend to crack in dry weather]], wear socks to bed after moisturizing. | #*If your [[Heal Cracked Skin | heels tend to crack in dry weather]], wear socks to bed after moisturizing. | ||
| − | #Apply nail polish if desired. If you'd like to end your pedicure with a pretty final touch, apply the nail polish color of your choice. If you want a long-lasting pedicure, you might want to start with a clear base coat. Let that dry, then paint with the color you have chosen using the "three stroke method", which consists of using one stroke on each side and a stroke in the middle. This ensures that the polish is evenly applied on the whole nail. Finish with a clear top coat to set the polish in place and prevent it from chipping.<ref>http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to/foot-health/Pages/How-to-Practice-Good-Foot-Hygiene.aspx</ref> | + | #Apply nail polish if desired. If you'd like to end your pedicure with a pretty final touch, apply the nail polish color of your choice. If you want a long-lasting pedicure, you might want to start with a clear base coat. Let that dry, then paint with the color you have chosen using the "three stroke method", which consists of using one stroke on each side and a stroke in the middle. This ensures that the polish is evenly applied on the whole nail. Finish with a clear top coat to set the polish in place and prevent it from chipping.<ref name="rf18734">http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to/foot-health/Pages/How-to-Practice-Good-Foot-Hygiene.aspx</ref> |
#* Use toe separators to keep your toes apart. This makes the process of painting easier, and prevents a freshly painted toenail from staining another toe. | #* Use toe separators to keep your toes apart. This makes the process of painting easier, and prevents a freshly painted toenail from staining another toe. | ||
| − | #*Remove nail polish after a few days so it won’t stain. If you leave the polish on your toenails for too long, you might find that your nails look yellowed when you finally take it off.<ref>http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/foot-care</ref> | + | #*Remove nail polish after a few days so it won’t stain. If you leave the polish on your toenails for too long, you might find that your nails look yellowed when you finally take it off.<ref name="rf18735">http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/foot-care</ref> |
#*Acetone, the active ingredient in most nail polish removers, has a severe drying effect on skin and nails. Consider using a nail polish remover that doesn't contain acetone. | #*Acetone, the active ingredient in most nail polish removers, has a severe drying effect on skin and nails. Consider using a nail polish remover that doesn't contain acetone. | ||
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#*Walking on a hurt foot can exacerbate the problem. | #*Walking on a hurt foot can exacerbate the problem. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
