Getting Your Feet Ready For The Summer Season

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Getting Your Feet Ready For The Summer Season

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=41061

A winter of wearing tight-fitting shoes or boots can wreak havoc on

your feet and make you think twice before putting on scanty sandals

or going barefoot.

" Unlike the rest of the body, people seem to neglect their feet

throughout most of the year and, therefore, a host of problems that

can become compounded once the summer arrives, " says Dr.

Scher, a dermatologist and nail specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian

Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

Here is Dr. Scher's prescription for preparing your tired treads for

summer fashion:

Treat corns and calluses.

These hard, thickened areas of skin can be treated with warm soaks

and sloughed off with a pumice stone. Corns can be removed by a

podiatrist. Avoid over-the-counter treatments that contain acid, as

they can burn skin or cause ulcers.

Don't forget cracked heels.

These are not only unsightly but are prone to infection. Exfoliating

products, such as an alpha-hydroxy acid, are recommended for treating

cracked heels.

Watch out for ingrown toenails.

First, soak your feet in warm water with a few pinches of ordinary

table salt. Then gently push the skin away from the nail with a moist

washcloth or towel. File the ingrown nails with a clean, new emery

board, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a bandage. If the

ingrown toenail persists, or if it is too painful to treat yourself,

consult a physician.

Athlete's foot is easily treated.

To avoid developing athlete's foot in the first place, do not go

barefoot in public areas. Swimming pools, locker rooms, and saunas

are havens for germs. Wear rubber sandals in wet places and dry your

feet thoroughly -- especially between the toes -- after you shower.

An over-the-counter anti-fungal cream is effective in treatment of

athlete's foot, however, if it does not get better, consult your

dermatologist.

Toenail Fungus

If you suspect the possibility of toenail fungus it is reasonable to

try a topical antifungal preparation for a few weeks. If there is no

response, it is advisable to contact your dermatologist to confirm

the diagnosis of a fungus infection or other possible nail disorders.

Dr. Scher offers these tips to maintain healthy-looking feet all year

round:

-- Soak feet regularly in a warm salt-water solution and follow with

pumice treatment of heels and calluses.

-- At night, apply moisturizing cream or lotion to clean feet. Mint

and menthol-infused creams are excellent soothers for tired feet.

-- Before bedtime, give your feet a well-deserved massage by kneading

the sole of each foot with your thumbs. Be sure to include the instep

and toes.

-- Wear shoes that are well-cushioned, substantially soled, and

comfortable.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

The University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell

525 East 68th Street, Box 144

New York, NY 10021

http://www.nyp.org