Spring Into the Season with Fabulous Feet

Spring is here! It's that time of year when boots and closed toe shoegear go into hibernation and our feet get their first peek at the new season. To some, unveiling the feet after a long, cold winter may be a little daunting. Whether it's dry, flaky skin from lack of moisture, discolored toenails, or pesky corns or calluses, the feet can suffer from being cooped up during the winter months. No worries, the following foot tips will help you confidently slip your feet into your favorite sandals in no time!

1.  Soak the feet in warm water and epsom salt for at least 10 minutes daily. The epsom salt actually draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles as well as acting as a natural emollient and exfoliator.

2.  Remove thickened dead skin build up around pre-soaked heels, balls and sides of feet with a pumice stone or foot file. People with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease often have a loss of sensation as well as an inability to heal so it is best to leave this job for their podiatrist!

3.  Use an exfoliating scrub on the soles, sides and tops of feet to eliminate dry, flaky winter skin.

4.  Apply and massage a healthy amount of emollient-enriched skin lotion all over your feet to hydrate the skin and increase circulation. Do not apply lotion in between toes because this can harbor bacteria.

5.  Clip toenails straight across, do not curve or round corners for this can cause an ingrown toenail.

6.  Apply nail polish to the toenails only if the nail is healthy with no signs of a fungal infection. Remove nail polish regularly to allow the nail bed to breathe.

7.  Practice good foot hygiene. including daily washing of the feet with soap and water, drying feet carefully, particularly between the toes.

8.  If any skin or nail conditions exist, see a podiatrist for a medical diagnosis.

Please feel free to call our Whiting office located at 56 Schoolhouse Rd., phone number 732-716-1300 with any questions!