Spring Into the Season With Fabulous Feet

By Nicole Testani, DPM

Bull Run Foot & Ankle Clinic

. http://www.bullrunfootclinic.com

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Spring Into the Season With Fabulous Feet

Spring is here. It's that time of year when boots and closed-toed shoes go into hibernation and the feet get their first peek at the new season.

To some, unveiling the feet after a long cold winter stuck inside of heavy socks and shoes, is a little daunting. Whether it's dry, flaky skin from lack of moisture, discolored toenails, or pesky corns and calluses, the feet can suffer from being cooped up during the winter months.

Luckily, a little pre-debut pampering can go a long way and may be just what the doctor ordered. Pampering the feet will alert you to areas that may need treatment from a podiatrist before wearing sandals for spring.

To get the season started off on the right foot, the American Podiatric Medical Association recommends the following ten do-it-yourself tips that will help you confidently slip your feet into the hottest sandal styles of the season.

1. Soak your feet with warm water for at least 10 minutes.

2. Remove thickened, dead skin build up (also known as calluses) around the presoaked heels, balls and sides of the feet with a pumice stone or foot file.

3. Use an exfoliating scrub on the soles, sides and tops of the 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.

5. Clip toenails with a straight edge toenail clipper to just above the top of each toe to ensure nails do not become curved or rounded in the corners.

6. Before bed, very lightly wrap cellophane around your entire foot. The cellophane will act as a makeshift sauna by locking in moisture.

7. Apply nail polish to the toenails only if the nail is healthy. Remove polish regularly to let the nail bed breathe.

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

the toes.

9. Inspect your sandals or flip flops from the previous year. Discard any that appear too worn.

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