Most of us take a bath daily or shampoo our hair a few times a week, but many of us ignore our feet.
Just think about it for a minute. Your feet are essentially the base of your body. They carry the load of your body weight with dignity and take several tons of force impact just during an average day of walking.
Still, we take them for granted – making them suffer by wearing high heels for hours, wearing sweaty socks or tight pantyhose, and not maintaining proper foot hygiene.
Due to improper foot hygiene, many people suffer from unbearable foot odor. Also, unclean feet can cause health issues, such as dermatitis, fungal infections like athlete’s foot, yellow or ingrown toenails, or infected cuts and sores.
Though many people do not make foot hygiene part of their daily routine, it should be. Just allowing the shower water to splash on them or dipping them in the bathtub isn’t good enough.
You don’t need an expensive spa treatment to take care of your feet. Spending just 5 to 10 minutes for daily cleaning and about 10 to 15 minutes on weekly foot care treatments is all it takes.
Here is the correct way to clean your feet daily.
1. Pour a small amount of lukewarm water in a suitably sized foot basin or tub. You can adjust the temperature as per your comfort level, but be sure to keep it warm rather than hot or cold.
2. Soak your feet in the water for 2 to 3 minutes, rubbing them occasionally. This will help loosen up the dead skin cells as well as sweat and dirt settled into the skin on your feet.
3. Lather up your feet with some mild soap. You can use either a bar soap or liquid soap, but avoid antibacterial soap. Scrub them with a loofah, washcloth or sponge for a couple of minutes to get the dirt off. Be sure to clean all areas of your feet, paying extra attention to the arches of your feet, between the toes and under the toenails.
4. Rinse your feet in clean water to rinse away the soap and other dirt particles. You will discover sparkly clean feet.
5. When done, dry your feet completely, especially between the toes. Leftover moisture between the toes is a breeding ground for bacteria, which causes odor as well as infections.
6. Finally, give your feet a nice massage while applying some moisturizer (except between the toes). This will prevent dryness and also promote better blood circulation.
Trim Your Toenails Weekly
Along with the skin on your feet, you must also take care of your toenails. They should be cleaned and trimmed once a week.
The best time to trim your toenails is just after a shower, when they’re softened up. Cut your toenails straight across, not on a curve, and file down sharp edges using an emery board. Always use clean nail clippers for trimming your nails.
If you have trouble reaching your toenails or cannot see them very well, ask for help from a family member or friend. You can also ask a podiatrist for help with this task.
Use a Foot Scrub Weekly
On the weekends, you can prepare homemade scrubs and use them to exfoliate your feet.
Both salt and sugar work as natural ingredients for exfoliating the feet to remove dead skin cells and keep the skin soft and supple.
- Mix a handful of salt in some coconut oil. Use it to gently rub your feet with the palm of your hand. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then use a scrubber to remove the dead skin. Rinse your feet off with lukewarm water and pat dry thoroughly.
- Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of sugar in a few tablespoons of honey. Gently rub the sugar scrub in circular motions over your feet for at least 10 minutes. Rinse it off using lukewarm water, then pat dry with a soft towel.
Choose the Right Socks and Shoes
For proper foot hygiene, wearing the right shoes and socks is also important.
- Wear socks made of cotton, wool or other materials that will absorb sweat and allow your feet to breathe. Change your socks daily. If needed, change them twice a day.
- Wear properly fitted shoes. Make sure they aren’t too tight and that they’re comfortable while walking or running.
- Keep a few pair of shoes and switch them up every two or three days. Shoes need time to dry and air out, which will help prevent smelly feet.
- If your shoes are washable, then wash them frequently. Be sure to let them dry completely before wearing them.
Additional Tips
- Go barefoot at home; especially at night, to allow the skin on your feet to breathe.
- Avoid going barefoot in public areas.
- If you’ve been swimming, wash and dry your feet thoroughly afterwards.
- Do not use strong antiseptic soaps, chemicals or perfumed lotions on your feet.
- Do not cut or pick at the cuticles around your toenails.
- Don’t ignore foot pain, even if it is mild. See a podiatrist as soon as possible to figure out what is causing the pain.
- If you are diabetic, check the tops and bottoms of your feet, as well as your toes, between your toes and your toenails daily. If you notice any bumps, blisters or cuts, see your doctor right away.
SOURCE: Top10homeremedies
It’s no secret that we’re all about natural remedies around here. Every mom should have a few tricks up her sleeve for remedying minor ailments at home without resorting to harmful chemicals. Here are five natural remedies for a pesky problem that has ailed many of us from time to time … athlete’s foot.
Athlete’s foot is the skin condition most often associated with stinky, sweaty feet and gym locker rooms. However, it doesn’t just affect athletes.
How Does Athlete’s Foot Occur?
It may be surprising to learn that athlete’s foot isn’t just something that teenage boys catch. In fact, there is more to the root cause of athlete’s foot than infected showers or towels.
The body’s microbiome may actually have a lot to do with susceptibility to any infection, including athlete’s foot. Let’s first look at what really causes athlete’s foot.
What Leads to Athlete’s Foot
- Coming into contact with infected people or items, like towels, a shower floor, or a swimming pool
- Wearing tight, damp shoes
- Overall bodily microbiome imbalance
- Poor immune system function
So, while everyone knows that exposure to the fungus responsible for athlete’s foot (called tinea) promotes the spread of the infection, your own personal health may have a lot to do with how your body handles an exposure. When we have an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and fungi, we are more susceptible to infections of all kinds.
We have more bacterial cells than human cells, and it truly is all about the bacterial balance. I talk a lot about gut health and the importance of supporting the skin microbiome. The idea is that when your inner ecosystem is balanced, your whole body microbiome will be balanced, including the bacteria on and under the surface of your skin.
Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot can actually mimic bad eczema or dermatitis, so it can be hard to differentiate between the two. Symptoms include:
- Thick, red, scaly, or cracking skin
- Itchy rash
- Symptoms concentrated between the toes, where fungus is more likely to grow
- Blisters
- Discolored toenails
An Ounce of Prevention…
The best remedy is often avoiding the problem in the first place. Here are some ways to reduce the chances of athletes foot:
- Wear foot coverings in wet public places, when possible.
- Dry feet well when getting out of water, whether at home or in public places.
- Wash towels if you suspect infection or if they’ve been used in a public place.
- Mind your microbiome by eating a healthy diet, supplementing probiotics, and avoiding good bacteria-killing products like antibacterial soaps. (Read about how to mind your gut and overall health here.)
Five Natural Remedies for Athlete’s Foot
In the unfortunate event of getting this dreaded fungal foot infection, there are some great natural remedies that may help get it under control:
1. Internal Probiotic Remedy
Gut health affects so many aspects of overall health! Ramp up probiotics, avoid sugar and excessively starchy foods, and focus on nourishing foods like broth and sauerkraut.
Those who frequently battle infections, whether athlete’s foot or the common cold, may have an underlying gut issue. Our immune systems are responsible for fighting off infections, and while the occasional cold or flu gives them the workout they need to stay strong, fungal infections are more a symptom of imbalance. When our guts are imbalanced, our immune systems become weakened, and we become susceptible to infections.
Candida is a type of fungal yeast and is often at the root of lots of health conditions like eczema, arthritis, and allergies. While it is a natural strain that is found in everyone’s guts, problems arise when it becomes overgrown due to lack of beneficial bacteria. Doing a diet like the GAPS diet can help to eliminate harmful fungi and bring the gut back into balance.
Likewise, tinea fungus (the fungus responsible for athlete’s foot) is normal to have on the skin. However if our skin bacteria is out of balance, then our skin is more susceptible to infections.
Not only is it necessary to bring the gut bacteria into balance, but it may also be beneficial to balance the bacteria (microbiome) on the skin. (To learn more about nurturing the skin’s microbiome, check out this podcast.)
2. Topical Probiotic Remedy
While oral probiotics are beneficial to your gut and overall health, in the event of an acute athlete’s foot infection, you may find topical application of probiotics helpful.
Let’s take the same idea as this recipe for my probiotic face mask and make it the base for a natural remedy for athlete’s foot.
Mix together:
- 1 TBSP plain organic yogurt (full fat preferred)
- 1 capsule of saccharomyces boulardii (a beneficial yeast that has been shown to battle pathogenic species of fungi)
(Increase or double the amounts if necessary.)
Use a cotton ball to spread the mixture onto the infected areas and allow to sit for about half an hour.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy
The sour, tangy crunchy mama favorite that helps with everything from heartburn to dandruff can also be one of the best natural remedies for mild athlete’s foot.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV for those familiar with this crushed, fermented apple product) has been used since the times of Hippocrates, when it was prized for its medicinal properties. It’s known to be especially beneficial against yeast and fungus, and many people take it internally to keep candida in balance.
To use ACV to remedy athlete’s foot, make sure you’ve got a good, high-quality, unpasteurized version (the ones still containing the “mother” are better, and you can even make your own!). Of course you can also buy in stores or online, I get mine here.
In a foot bath container, mix together:
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
Soak your feet for around half an hour. You can also apply plain ACV directly to the infection with a cotton ball. Apple cider vinegar will likely sting, so be aware and dilute more if necessary.
4. Essential Oil Remedies
There are a few essential oils that can be used to battle fungal infections, and skin conditions are one of my favorite uses of essential oils.
Anti-fungal essential oils include:
- tea tree
- lavender
- oregano
- thyme
- geranium
- clove
There are several ways you can use essential oils as natural remedies for athlete’s foot.
How to Make Your Own Salve:
Use this simple recipe for homemade healing salve to create your own anti-fungal salve by adding anti-fungal essential oils:
- 2 cups olive oil or almond oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax pastilles
- 40 drops tea tree essential oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 12 drops each oregano and clove essential oils
To make:
- Heat the oil in a double boiler with the beeswax until melted and mixed.
- Add the essential oils and stir.
- Pour into small tins, glass jars, or lip chap tubes and apply to the infected areas as often as you think of it.
Apply neat or diluted.
Whether or not you use essential oils directly on the skin or dilute them is a personal and sometimes hotly debated choice. Because essential oils are highly concentrated, it is generally not suggested to use them directly on the skin.
However, some essential oils may be ok to apply neat, or directly on the skin, including lavender. The biggest concern in this case is applying the oil to broken skin, which would be painful and could cause further irritation. You can always check with a certified aromatherapist if you’re interested in using essential oils undiluted.
Otherwise, a good rule of thumb is 3-5 drops of essential oils per teaspoon of oil. Coconut oil is an excellent choice because it is also anti-fungal. Just combine any of the above anti-fungal essential oils with some coconut oil and apply to the infected areas.
Make an anti-fungal spray.
Combine anti-fungal essential oils with witch hazel to create a cleansing, healing astringent. Combine oils of choice in a spray bottle with witch hazel, keeping in mind dilution ratios, spritz on clean, dry feet, and then allow to dry. You could also kill two birds with one stone and add a little ACV to the spray.
5. Remedies for Footwear and Towels
It turns out sticking your sneakers in the freezer for about 24 hours may kill the fungus and prevent it from growing further. Additionally, you could use an anti-fungal essential oil spray like the one suggested above to spritz your sneakers and kill the fungus.
In addition to disinfecting your shoes, it is also a good idea to toss or disinfect any socks worn while infected, plus disinfect towels used.
To disinfect towels, wash on the hottest setting on the washing machine. Add anti-fungal essential oils, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide to kill germs. In cases of persistent or recurrent athlete’s foot infections, consider throwing away items that may have come in contact with the fungus.
You Can Remedy Athlete’s Foot Naturally!
Most minor infections can be remedied at home without using harmful or toxic over the counter or prescription drugs. Athlete’s foot is no exception, and with these natural remedies for athlete’s foot, you’ll be fungus-free in no time!
SOURCE: Wellnessmama.com
If you have diabetes, you are more prone to foot problems–ranging from relatively minor sores that don’t heal properly to severe conditions that may lead to amputation.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to nerve damage, circulation problems and infections, which contribute to serious foot problems. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), foot problems are one of the reasons why 1 in 5 people with diabetes seek hospital care.
Some of the foot and related problems that diabetic people are more prone to are:
- Burning, tingling or painful feet.
- Loss of sensitivity to heat or cold.
- Changes in the color or shape of the feet.
- Loss of hair on the legs.
- Thickening and yellowing of the toenails.
- Red spots, blisters, sores, ulcers, skin infections, infected corns or ingrown toenails.
In serious cases, foot problems can lead to amputation. About 73,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed in adults age 20 or older with diabetes in 2010, according to the ADA.
However, you can take precautions to maintain healthy feet and prevent any serious problem.
Here are the top 10 foot care tips for diabetics.
1. Check Your Feet Every Day
No matter how healthy your feet look, it is important to closely inspect your feet daily, including the tops, sides, soles, heels and the area between the toes.
Even small sores or blisters can become big problems if an infection develops or they do not heal properly. Hence, check your feet every day for dry or cracked skin, red spots, cuts, swelling and blisters. For the bottoms of your feet, you can use a mirror or ask others for help.
Consult your doctor immediately if you discover any sores, redness, cuts, blisters or bruises.
2. Wash and Dry Properly
For proper foot care, regular washing and cleaning is a must. This will help keep your feet free of germs and other impurities, which can otherwise lead to infection.
Wash your feet every day in lukewarm water with mild soap. Avoid using hot water and harsh soaps, as they can damage your skin. Check the water temperature with your fingers or elbow, as diabetes may make it difficult to sense the water temperature with your feet.
Gently use a pumice stone to remove corns and calluses, after a shower or bath when your skin is soft.
After you are done washing your feet, dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes. Then, to keep your skin soft and smooth, rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.
3. Cut Toenails Straight Across
Whether you have diabetes or not, always cut your toenails straight across.
Trim your toenails after washing your feet, when your nails are soft. Cut straight across to help prevent ingrown toenails. Use an emery board to smooth out the edges.
Be careful not to cut your toenails too short or into the corners. Do not touch the cuticles.
If you can’t see or reach your feet due to visual difficulty or nerve problems, ask a family memberor a podiatrist to cut your toenails for you.
4. Wear Proper Shoes and Socks
Those who are diabetic should wear shoes and socks at all times. But be sure to wear the right ones.
- Wear comfortable shoes that fit well. Shoes should have plenty of room, especially in the toe area.
- The lining of the inside of the shoes should be smooth, and there should be no objects inside.
- Avoid wearing shoes made out of plastic or other materials that do not allow your feet to breathe. Choose shoes made of leather, canvas or suede.
- Do not wear thong sandals, flip-flops, pointed-toe and open-toe shoes, or very high heels.
- Wear clean, dry socks or non-binding pantyhose for extra protection.
- Change your socks daily.
- Wear special shoes if your doctor recommends them.
5. Don’t Go Barefoot
Even though walking barefoot has many benefits, people who have diabetes should avoid it.
Never walk barefoot, especially in the garden or on the beach, to avoid cuts. In fact, when walking outside, you must try to wear shoes with good coverage.
Not just outside, you must avoid walking barefoot around the house too, as it can cause sores or injuries that can get infected.
6. Try Non-Impact Exercise
Being more active will help keep your blood sugar level under control. But when you have diabetes and foot problems, you must plan your exercise regimen carefully.
In fact, it is recommended to opt for exercises that have minimal impact on your feet as putting too much pressure on your feet can increase the risk of developing corns and calluses. Hence, exercises like, swimming, cycling, yoga and tai chi are some good options that you can try.
Aerobics programs that include bouncing, jumping and leaping are not the best activities for your feet, especially if you have neuropathy. It is always best to talk with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
7. Get Regular Checkups
It is your doctor who can provide you with the right information and treatment regarding foot problems and tips on how to take care of your feet.
Your doctor should examine your feet at every visit and do a thorough foot exam once a year. If you have a history of foot problems, you may need more frequent visits.
Do not delay in making an appointment with your doctor if you notice any problems, such as cracking between the toes, sores or wounds on your feet, ingrown toenails, numbness or pain in your feet, calluses, or redness or blackening of the skin.
Diabetes-related foot problems can worsen very quickly, making them more difficult to treat.
8. Increase Blood Supply
Poor blood circulation can affect the blood supply to your feet. Due to reduced blood supply, even small cuts and sores may take a long time to heal.
To keep an adequate blood supply to your feet, taking a brisk walk for 10 minutes every 2 to 3 hours is a must.
When sitting, put your feet up and wiggle your toes from time to time. Also, avoid sitting with your legs crossed or standing in one position for long periods of time.
If you have poor circulation and lack of sensitivity to heat, do not use a heating pad or hot water bottle to improve blood flow to your feet. You could burn your skin without realizing it.
9. Control Blood Sugar Level
No matter how much you take care of your feet, all your efforts will go in vain if your blood sugar level is not under control. Hence, it is important to keep your blood sugar level in your target range.
In fact, it is the best way to prevent diabetic complications and foot problems.
A 2006 study published in the Annals of Family Medicine found that a significant proportion of adults with undiagnosed diabetes have signs of nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy. These findings suggest that early screening for diabetes and proper management can help a lot.
For managing your diabetes, opt for regular medical exams, daily monitoring of your blood sugar, regular exercise, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and so on.
10. Quit Smoking
Smoking affects your body from head to toe, hence if you have diabetes it’s time to quit.
Smoking leads to reduced blood flow to your feet. Proper blood flow is needed to keep your feet healthy and fight infections. The reduced level of nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood can seriously worsen foot and leg problems.
A 2015 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that smoking may be associated with an increased risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. However, it is still not clear whether smoking cessation reduces that risk in adults with diabetes.
Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting.
SOURCES:
Top10homeremedies.com
http://diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1578655/
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/foothealth/Pages/Diabetesandfeet.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25947882
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2318103
Many runners are familiar (read: all too familiar) with the black toenail. The condition involves bruising, blistering or bleeding beneath the nail from repetitive trauma, either of the top of the shoe banging against the nail or the toe slamming into the end of the shoe. It’s most commonly experienced by marathoners and those training at especially high intensity. Some even see it as a badge of honor: the more black nails, the more badass.
But not all black toenails are from running. In certain cases, a dark nail tells a darker, more dangerous story. Here, two podiatrists explain the difference between the benign and malignant.
REPETITIVE TRAUMA
The most common culprit for black nails, repetitive trauma can result from running, or from wearing any type of ill-fitting footwear. If a black nail crops up shortly after a workout or a day spent in too-tight or too-loose shoes, this is likely the cause.
Repetitive trauma ranges from mild (i.e. a small, painless, black-and-blue discoloration beneath the nail), to severe (i.e. large, bloody blisters between your nail and nail plate), explains Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, D.P.M. and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. In mild cases, no treatment is needed and the black nail will simply grow out.
In severe cases, beneath-the-nail blisters can cause the nail to detach—either partially or fully—from the nail plate. This process can be quite painful if the detachment is only partial, warns Dr. Lori Weisenfeld, NYC sports podiatrist, explaining that once the nail fully separates from nail plate, it is officially dead and will never reattach. The good new about this: it’s no longer painful. The bad news: it can take a long time for a new nail to grow in—about a year for big toenails and 3 to 6 months for smaller nails. In certain cases, a fresh nail can begin growing underneath an old, dead nail. If there’s additional repetitive trauma, the new nail can become bruised and detached as well. To prevent this, Weisenfeld recommends visiting your doctor who can trim down or entirely remove the dead nail, which will allow the new nail room to grow in properly.
Another time you should visit the doc: if the skin surrounding your blackened nail is red, inflamed and/or oozing. This may be a sign of an infection, says Sutera, and you should apply neosporin until you can get an appointment.
SUBUNGUAL HEMATOMA
Dropping a heavy object (say, a dumbbell) onto your foot can burst the blood vessels under your nail bed and cause blood to pool underneath, explains Wiesenfeld. This type of blackened nail—clinically called subungual hematoma—is especially easy to ID, as it will appear almost immediately after an incident. The build up of blood typically causes a painful throbbing sensation that can be addressed by pricking a tiny needle through the nail to drain out the blood. This procedure will alleviate both the pressure and dark color under the nail—and should always be done by your doctor, says Sutera, as at-home attempts are often unsanitary, ineffective, and more excruciating than in-office care.
FUNGAL INFECTIONS
Fungal infections—like athlete’s foot—can spread to your toenails and turn them shades of yellow, blue, green, brown, purple and black, explains Sutera. This range in color is unique to fungus, as is the presence of subungual debris—a chalky white substance that lines the nail bed and often carries a funky odor.
If you think you may have a fungal infection, head to your doc. He or she can clip and biopsy a portion of your nail to confirm a diagnosis. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the infection—mild cases are often addressed with topical medications while more aggressive funguses require oral medication or even laser treatment.
SKIN CANCER
Here’s another reason to use sunscreen: Melanoma—the most serious form of skin cancer—can grow underneath your nail bed on the nail plate and cause hyperpigmentation of the skin, explains Sutera. It’s often a slow and painless growth, which makes it especially tricky to catch.
One ominous sign: discoloration that extends beyond the nail and onto the cuticle, says Weisenfeld. “If you’ve had no incidence of trauma and your nail is slowly starting to change color—especially if that color goes beyond your nail—you should get it checked out by your doctor,” she advises, adding that regularly pedicured patients should do a quick scan of their toes in between polish changes to catch any new developments. While melanoma can be deadly, it’s extremely rare and treatable if detected early.
SKIN TONE
Occasionally, dark discoloration of the nail bed is merely a matter of skin tone. Sutera sees this most often in patients of color. “There’s skin underneath your toenails, and just like skin anywhere else on your body, the pigmentation can change over time,” she explains.
Oftentimes this type of discoloration is symmetrical and seen on multiple toes—for example, both of your pinky toes may develop discoloration of a similar size and shape. Another telltale sign: similar coloring underneath your fingernails. These factors can help distinguish this type of benign black nail from more malignant ones, which are usually contained to just one nail. Even so, Sutera recommends getting any new and usual color changes checked by your podiatrist, just to be safe.
SOURCE: Womenshealthmag
Everyone wants to have beautiful feet, especially during the warmer months, when flip flops and sandals are the go-to footwear. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to keep your feet in tip-top shape because they take a lot of wear and tear. They support your weight and get you around, don’t they? If you want to keep your feet looking their best, you have to take steps to preserve and maintain them. Here are eight ways to keep your feet looking their best all year long:
1. Wear Shoes that Fit
Some people are on their feet more than others — for example, waitresses and those who go on long daily runs — but we should all be wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes, whenever possible. The wrong shoes will wear your feet down pretty quickly. Shoes that are too small or just rub your feet the wrong way can cause unsightly blisters and corns. You should be especially careful when bringing home a new pair. Most shoes take awhile to break in, so you shouldn’t wear those cute new heels three days in a row.
2. Soak Your Feet Often
From time to time everyone’s feet will have rough or dry skin. To keep them soft and clean, be sure to soak your feet regularly. There is a number of fancy foot baths out there, but you really just need a bucket of warm water for a good soak. You can add some olive oil and few drops of scented essential oil of your choice (rose essential oil will be great) for additional luxury. It’s best to soak your feet for, approximately, ten to fifteen minutes; otherwise, your feet will become pruned, which isn’t very effective, if you’re trying to remove dead skin.
3. Scrub
After you’ve soaked your feet for a while, be sure to give them a good scrub to smooth rough or dry areas. You can use a foot or facial scrub if you’d like or you can take your feet out of the water and use a pumice stone to massage the rough areas. Remember: a pumice stone is more effective when your feet are still damp and you should always go with the grain of your feet.
4. Let Your Feet Breathe
It’s a good habit to take your shoes off after you get home, so that you can let your feet breathe. Otherwise, the sweat and dirt that build up in your shoes during the day — yes, your feet sweat, even if you always wear cotton socks — will continue to wear on your feet after hours. In the winter, you can also put on a fresh pair of cotton socks or slippers, especially, if you wash and lotion your feet beforehand, as the socks help lock in moisture. If you allow dirt and sweat to stay on your feet longer than necessary, you’re creating a breeding ground for athlete’s foot and other diseases.
5. Remove Your Polish
Over time, nail polish can wear down your nails. Before reapplying new polish, be sure to remove all of the old layers. If you can, let your toenails go polish-free for few hours and then, apply a polish that helps strengthen your nails.
6. Trim Your Nails to a Suitable Length
Broken and ingrown toenails aren’t just unsightly — they’re also painful. To prevent these ailments, make a point to regularly trim your toenails. Just be sure not to make the nail too short, as this can also cause discomfort.
7. Moisturizing treatment
If you want your feet to feel baby soft, you need to invest in a good foot cream or use natural oils. In general, your feet need a thicker cream than the rest of your body, as the skin on your feet is also thicker. Choose a cream with Vitamin E and coconut oil to keep your feet at their smoothest. Coconut oil foot massage is another simple way to soothe and hydrate tired feet. If you have some serious dry skin issues on your feet, try an overnight moisturizing treatment: simply massage your feet with cocoa butter and then, put on your favorite pair of cotton socks. Your feet will feel much softer when you wake up in the morning.
8. Wash with Purified Water
Some of us just seem to have feet that are more prone to ailments. My mom’s heals tend to crack no matter how much lotion she applies. She’s even used medicated balms and ointments, though nothing made her feet as soft as she’d like. A few years ago, she realized that her house was in an area with hard water, which can really dry out the skin. It turns out that the tap water was making her cracked heels worse and since then, she’s made a point to only soak her feet in purified water. If your feet dry out easily, you may consider washing them with treated well water or another kind of purified water. Water treatment systems can make a big difference in softening your skin.
SOURCE: Beautyandtips
10 Ways to Get Rid of Your Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a very common problem. Symptoms include inflammation, swelling, yellowing, thickening or crumbling of the nail. It is usually not painful, unless the infection spreads.
The fungus tends to thrive under certain conditions, such as abnormal pH levels of the skin, a weakened immune system, continuous exposure to a moist environment including sweaty shoes and socks, poor hygiene and diabetes.
If left untreated, toenail fungus can cause cracking, splitting and even complete loss of the toenail. The good news is that toenail fungus is curable and can be treated inexpensively. Various natural home remedies can cure the infection in one or two months.
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Here are the top 10 ways to get rid of toenail fungus. If the condition is painful or spreading further then do consult your doctor.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic and can help prevent toenail fungus from spreading. At the same time, it kills bacteria and fungi.
- Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. Soak your toenail in this solution for 30 minutes daily. When done, dry your toenail thoroughly. When used daily for a few weeks, you will notice improvement very quickly.
- Another option is make an antifungal exfoliating scrub by some coarsely ground rice flour with a few spoons of apple cider vinegar. Apply this paste on and around the affected nail and gently scrub the area. Do this a few times a week. This remedy will also help get rid of dead skin cells and keep your skin soft.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antiseptic as well as antifungal properties that help a lot in the treatment of toenail fungus. This oil is also used to treat other kinds of skin infections.
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in one teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil.
- Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture on the affected toenail.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes, and then use a toothbrush to gently scrub the affected nail.
- Do this two or three times daily until you are satisfied with the results.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a readily available staple in most kitchens that can also be used to cure toenail fungus. It will also help neutralize foot odor.
- Add one-half cup of baking soda, one-fourth cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and one-half cup of Epsom salt to four cups of hot water. Mix the ingredients thoroughly, and then add one-fourth cup of white vinegar to it.
- Soak the affected toenail in this solution for about 10 minutes.
- Wash with clean water and dry your foot thoroughly.
- Repeat the process twice daily for several weeks.
4. White Vinegar
White vinegar is one of the best ingredients for treating toenail fungus because it fights the infection and helps restore the skin’s pH.
- Mix one part of white vinegar with two parts of warm water.
- Soak the affected toenail in this solution for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off and dry the affected area thoroughly.
- Repeat twice daily until the fungus is gone.
Note: If your skin becomes irritated, add more water to the solution and repeat the process every other day instead of daily.
5. Oil of Oregano
Oil of oregano has antiseptic, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral, analgesic and antifungal properties. This makes oregano oil an effective treatment for toenail fungus.
- Mix two drops of oil of oregano in one teaspoon of olive oil.
- Apply this mixture on the affected.
- Leave it on for at least 30 minutes.
- Then, rinse it off and dry your toes thoroughly.
- Repeat once or twice daily for three weeks to see positive results.
6. Listerine Mouthwash
Listerine mouthwash, which kills bacteria and germs in the mouth, can also be used to treat toenail fungus. The mouthwash has several compounds as well as alcohol that act as a strong antiseptic to keep away harmful bacteria and fungi.
- Fill a small tub with Listerine mouthwash, or a combination of equal parts of Listerine and white vinegar.
- Soak the affected foot in this solution for about 30 minutes, and then scrub the infected toenail gently.
- Rinse it off and dry the affected area thoroughly.
- Repeat this remedy once or twice daily until the infection clears.
7. Garlic
Garlic contains compounds like allicin and ajoene which have antifungal properties that can help treat toenail fungus.
- Mix garlic oil with an equal amount of white vinegar. Apply this mixture on and around the infected toenail and cover the treated toe with a bandage. Leave it on for a few hours before removing the bandage. Repeat daily until the infection clears. (If garlic oil is not available, you can make your own by frying two crushed garlic cloves in two tablespoons of olive oil and then straining the oil.)
- You can also eat one or two crushed garlic cloves daily.
8. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has both antiseptic and antifungal properties. The citric acid present in lemon juice also will help stop the toenail fungus from spreading.
- Apply fresh lemon juice on the infected toenail. Leave it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
- Another option is to mix equal amounts of lemon juice and olive oil and use this mixture to massage the infected area. Leave it on for a few hours before rinsing it off. The olive oil will help soften your skin, while the lemon juice will help control the fungal infection.
Use either of these remedies a few times daily for one month or longer until you notice positive results.
9. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has several volatile compounds and antiseptic properties that can fight any kind of infection and prevent skin irritation.
- Mix five drops each of lavender oil and tea tree oil.
- Use a cotton ball to apply this solution under the top edge of the affected toenail and surrounding area.
- Leave it on for at least 10 minutes, rinse it off and dry your toes thoroughly.
- Repeat two or three times a day.
10. Orange Oil
Orange oil also has antifungal properties, and thus can be used to treat infected toenails. Orange oil can cause allergic reactions and can have side effects, so it is important to test some orange oil on a small spot of skin before beginning use of this remedy.
- Use a dropper to apply pure orange oil between your toes and on and under your toenails. If you have sensitive skin then dilute the essential oil with an equal amount of carrier oil, such as grape seed oil.
- Leave it on for at least 30 minutes.
- Repeat two or three times daily until you see improvement.
The effectiveness of these natural remedies depends a lot on their proper use and application. Use these remedies for at least one or two months to see positive results. With patience and persistence, you can cure your toenail infection and prevent further complications.
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Resources:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-3156.1999.00396.x/abstract
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110214201842.htm
