Most women think that because they get regular pedicures their feet and toenails are clean and safe from infections. What they don't realize is that women are more susceptible to toe fungus, toe fungi, toe disease, toe nail infections, and toe nail disorders. Think of the variety of shoes most women squeeze their feet into for the sake of looking fashionable. Most of women's footwear sacrifice comfort and ultimately, the health of their toes.
According to David Wong, a dermatologist from Sydney, the most common toe fungus, toe fungi, toe disease, toe nail infections, and toe nail disorders are onychomycosis, Athletes Foot, bunions, and tinea. These are often infectious, ugly, and uncomfortable conditions which may affect the ability to do daily activities. He also stressed that nail infections are not cosmetic problems. It is not also a matter of cleanliness. You are at risk of fungal infections even if you're toes and feet are squeaky clean. Regular pedicures are not the answer since feet specialists at most salons are only trained and equipped to beautify feet and toes, not to cure these infections. What's more, most think that toenail discolorations are just that, discolorations. They think that these can be covered up by the latest nail polish trend. What they don't know is that these discolorations can be symptoms of toe infection. He names stubbing toes, too-short nails, and wearing tight foot wear as most common causes of infections because these weaken nails and opens nail beds for contamination of bacteria.
Aside from discolorations, other symptoms of toe fungus, toe fungi, toe disease, toe nail infections, and toe nail disorders are nail crumbling, thick nails, and brittle nails. Extreme cases might even cause nails to separate from their beds. The skin around the infected nail might also collect pus. Foul foot odor is an almost sure sign of fungal feet infections. If you are thinking to avoid damp places to avoid getting infected, Dr. Wong states that damp places are not the only place where you might be infected. Places where skin can get contact like carpets, mats, linens, and other towels are also possible places to incur infections. Public places like public pools, showers, hotels, motels, changing/locker rooms, and laundry service rooms are high infection risk areas. Sharing foot wear is also a culprit in getting infections. He emphasized to avoid borrowing or lending of footwear like socks and shoes to reduce risks of infections.
Dr. Wong advocates immediate medical action if you suspect being infected by toe fungus, toe fungi, toe disease, toe nail infections, and toe nail disorders because it is uncommon for these infections to heal on their own. Early medication and treatment could prevent fungi to grow, hence, stopping the progress of the infection. At the first symptom of nail disease, consult your doctor to avoid unpretty feet.
For more valuable information on toe fungus, please visit www.fungustoe.com
Showing posts with label pedicures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pedicures. Show all posts
Tuesday
Friday
A Guide To Pampering Pedicures
It is time for your hard working feet to take a break.
Whether your feet need a boost before going summertime bare or your pedicure is a gift you give to a loved one’s tired toes, pedicures are easy to do at home.
Whether you are doing it for yourself or someone else, the procedure is the same, although it’s easier to massage someone else’s feet than it is to completely massage your own.
To start, you will need a footbath or large, wide bowl. Choose from a selection of bath and essential oils, foot scrubs, or fizzing bath bombs. Organize toe nail clipper, emery board, nail buffer, spongy toe separators (if planning to polish toenails), nail brush, and follow-up scented foot lotion. In addition, you’ll need towels for catching spills, and drying freshly washed feet. If you have nail polish on your toe nails, remove polish thoroughly before starting the pedicure.
Take the bowl or footbath and fill it with warm to hot water. Give yourself the hottest water your feet can take for optimum softening of the tough heel skin, and to promote relaxation. Toss in a fizzing bath bomb. Most are made with scent and Epsom salts, and, when added to water, turn a simple bath, or in this case, a simple footbath, into a bubbling, tickling massage. Add a drop of your favoring essential oil - lavender is a relaxing choice.
While feet are wet, use a foot scrub to soften the calluses built up during everyday exercise and ordinary tasks. Be gentle. If the tough skin on your feet has been building up over a few years, realize that it may take a few weekly pampering pedicures to bring your feet back to softness.
Rinse foot scrub off feet in the cooling footbath. Feet can soften in the footbath for a total of about five minutes, or until water is too cool for enjoyment.. Gently dry off feet with an absorbent towel.
While skin and nails are soft, take a few minutes to gently push back toe nail cuticles with an angled cuticle stick. Use big toe nail clippers to cut toe nails straight across. A caution: do not clip them too short for this can cause problems with ingrown toe nails as the cut nails grow back. Grab the nail brush and scrub across the tip of nails and on the top of the nails. This is a safer way to clean out gunk under nails than to poke a stick underneath the tip and down the side of nails.
Now for the foot massage. If you are giving yourself a pedicure, don’t skip this step no matter how awkward or difficult it may seem. Massaging feet increases blood circulation, relaxes muscles and relieves aches and pains. Any lotion will do but using a peppermint oil foot lotion brings added benefits: the peppermint also promotes blood circulation in the foot, and overpowers lingering foot odor. You can start at either end of your foot, but make sure the entire foot receives the benefit of the massage.
Pour a quarter-sized dollop of lotion into your hand and start at the heel, rubbing repeatedly with a light touch, softening skin and soothing stresses. Move up the foot, rubbing lotion in the bottom of the foot. Use thumbs to make small circles as you work your way over the sole. Pressure can be increased anywhere it feels good. In fact, ticklish feet prefer a firmer hand; it’s the light touch that tickles most!
Pay extra attention to the toes. Rub between toes, using a gentle touch. Finish by rubbing each toe individually. Give both feet equal care.
Finish with the toe nails. File any jagged or sharp edges and shape the toe nail. Even if you do not want to polish the toenails, use a nail buffer to smooth nail ridges for a clean, healthy look.
If possible, use a nail buffer that has three separate finishes. Start with the roughest surface first and give each nail 20 strokes. Give each nail 20 more strokes with next surface, and finish with 20 buffing strokes with the finest surface on the nail buffer. Use that goofy looking sponge toe separator. This tool keeps polish from smearing as toes bump together.
When polishing toe nails, keep in mind the beating your feet take during the day. Start with a clear base coat of polish to prevent the yellowing on the toenails resulting from dark polish painted directly on the nail. Two coats of color will help the nails stay attractive for up to two weeks. Finish with two sheer coats of a protective top coat to keep your pedicure looking great.
Now that your feet look and feel festive, take those pampered toes out on the town.
Author Vincent Platania represents the Fuller Brush Company. Fuller Brush has been in business since 1906, and offers safe, environmentally friendly products for keeping your home and your body clean. Visit http://www.fuller-brush-products.com
Whether your feet need a boost before going summertime bare or your pedicure is a gift you give to a loved one’s tired toes, pedicures are easy to do at home.
Whether you are doing it for yourself or someone else, the procedure is the same, although it’s easier to massage someone else’s feet than it is to completely massage your own.
To start, you will need a footbath or large, wide bowl. Choose from a selection of bath and essential oils, foot scrubs, or fizzing bath bombs. Organize toe nail clipper, emery board, nail buffer, spongy toe separators (if planning to polish toenails), nail brush, and follow-up scented foot lotion. In addition, you’ll need towels for catching spills, and drying freshly washed feet. If you have nail polish on your toe nails, remove polish thoroughly before starting the pedicure.
Take the bowl or footbath and fill it with warm to hot water. Give yourself the hottest water your feet can take for optimum softening of the tough heel skin, and to promote relaxation. Toss in a fizzing bath bomb. Most are made with scent and Epsom salts, and, when added to water, turn a simple bath, or in this case, a simple footbath, into a bubbling, tickling massage. Add a drop of your favoring essential oil - lavender is a relaxing choice.
While feet are wet, use a foot scrub to soften the calluses built up during everyday exercise and ordinary tasks. Be gentle. If the tough skin on your feet has been building up over a few years, realize that it may take a few weekly pampering pedicures to bring your feet back to softness.
Rinse foot scrub off feet in the cooling footbath. Feet can soften in the footbath for a total of about five minutes, or until water is too cool for enjoyment.. Gently dry off feet with an absorbent towel.
While skin and nails are soft, take a few minutes to gently push back toe nail cuticles with an angled cuticle stick. Use big toe nail clippers to cut toe nails straight across. A caution: do not clip them too short for this can cause problems with ingrown toe nails as the cut nails grow back. Grab the nail brush and scrub across the tip of nails and on the top of the nails. This is a safer way to clean out gunk under nails than to poke a stick underneath the tip and down the side of nails.
Now for the foot massage. If you are giving yourself a pedicure, don’t skip this step no matter how awkward or difficult it may seem. Massaging feet increases blood circulation, relaxes muscles and relieves aches and pains. Any lotion will do but using a peppermint oil foot lotion brings added benefits: the peppermint also promotes blood circulation in the foot, and overpowers lingering foot odor. You can start at either end of your foot, but make sure the entire foot receives the benefit of the massage.
Pour a quarter-sized dollop of lotion into your hand and start at the heel, rubbing repeatedly with a light touch, softening skin and soothing stresses. Move up the foot, rubbing lotion in the bottom of the foot. Use thumbs to make small circles as you work your way over the sole. Pressure can be increased anywhere it feels good. In fact, ticklish feet prefer a firmer hand; it’s the light touch that tickles most!
Pay extra attention to the toes. Rub between toes, using a gentle touch. Finish by rubbing each toe individually. Give both feet equal care.
Finish with the toe nails. File any jagged or sharp edges and shape the toe nail. Even if you do not want to polish the toenails, use a nail buffer to smooth nail ridges for a clean, healthy look.
If possible, use a nail buffer that has three separate finishes. Start with the roughest surface first and give each nail 20 strokes. Give each nail 20 more strokes with next surface, and finish with 20 buffing strokes with the finest surface on the nail buffer. Use that goofy looking sponge toe separator. This tool keeps polish from smearing as toes bump together.
When polishing toe nails, keep in mind the beating your feet take during the day. Start with a clear base coat of polish to prevent the yellowing on the toenails resulting from dark polish painted directly on the nail. Two coats of color will help the nails stay attractive for up to two weeks. Finish with two sheer coats of a protective top coat to keep your pedicure looking great.
Now that your feet look and feel festive, take those pampered toes out on the town.
Author Vincent Platania represents the Fuller Brush Company. Fuller Brush has been in business since 1906, and offers safe, environmentally friendly products for keeping your home and your body clean. Visit http://www.fuller-brush-products.com
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