Beyond a Pedicure

12 Apr Beyond a Pedicure

A Pedicure Isn’t a Real Cure

The weather is warming up and thoughts of springtime are leading to thoughts of sandals. Spring might make a young man’s fancy turn to love, but it turns a woman’s fancy to open-toed shoes and sandals.

You might be more than ready to shuck off the winter boots and the winter blues. But are your feet prepared to start stepping out? Before you book that appointment for a pedicure, consider calling your podiatrist first.

Winter Woes

If your feet are showing some signs of wear and tear after a long, cold winter, you can start getting them into shape now. Take a look and decide if this the job for a good pedicurist or if you’ll need more serious interventions.

If you’ve neglected your foot care all winter and are now facing ugly, uncomfortable conditions like a fungal nail, ingrown nail or bunions, get to a podiatrist now. Treating those conditions early is the best way to get your feet ready for warm-weather shoes.

Calluses and Corns

Do you have rough skin and calluses? To help them heal, try the following:

• Soak your feet in warm water to soften the calluses.
• Use a pumice stone to scrub away the rough skin.
• Finish with a rich moisturizer.

If you have corns, don’t try to fix them on your own. Over-the-counter medications can cause burning and other unpleasant side effects. Worse yet, they often don’t work. A podiatrist can remove the corn safely.

A Fungus is No Fun

Toenail fungus is recognizable by the thick, yellow appearance of your nails. When you cut them, your nails may start to peel or crumble. You’ll also experience burning and itchy, scaly patches between your toes.

The fungal nail will wreck your fun when it makes its ugly appearance. Nail fungus isn’t dangerous, although it can lead to infection in susceptible people, for instance, those with diabetes or illnesses that weaken their immunity.

Cover Story

If you’re covering that fungus with nail polish, you’re doing it wrong. A pedicure might cover it up temporarily but will do nothing for the fungus itself. The warm, steamy water of most pedicure baths will feed the fungus and possibly make it spread.

Don’t rely on home remedies and resist the temptation to pull or cut the offending toenail off. Call a podiatrist and get instant relief from that ugly fungus.

Scaly and Scary

Are your winter-weary feet looking less like smooth slippers and more like the paws of Godzilla? If the skin on your feet is dry, scaly and cracking, you can soothe it with a soak in warm water. Add a bath oil to moisturize and follow with a good moisturizer.

If you have diabetes, an autoimmune disorder or arthritis, be careful with that scaly skin. Cracks can become deep fissures that let infection into your feet. If your immunity is compromised or you have any kind of insulin resistance, an infection could be dangerous.

Don’t ignore these symptoms. Get your feet to a podiatrist and stop the cracking before it develops into a serious complication. You may need antibiotic therapy or other medical treatments.

Growing Pains

Do you have a nail that’s been pressing into the side of your toe? Ingrown nail is another condition that can worsen when your feet are confined in socks and closed shoes.

Ingrown nails hurt and you might be tempted to just cut or yank yours out. Don’t do it. Get your painful toenail to a foot care specialist who can splint it or remove it.

The Right Call

A pedicure is a great way to relax and feel good about yourself. But don’t let a pedicure mask your foot problems. Before your feet come out to play in the sun, call Shuman Podiatry and get your foot conditions treated. When you do get that pedicure, it will look and feel all the better on your new healthy feet.

At Shuman Podiatry & Sports Medicine, we want all of our patients to flaunt their feet this spring. Call us today for feet you’ll be proud to show off.