Read up on safety tips for your feet and toes
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
It’s almost time to break out the sandals for spring, but before you prepare your feet to be seen in anything but wooly socks, review the following safety tips:
— Tips from Adelina Azfar, podiatrist at Finger Lakes Podiatry, Geneva:
• “For calluses, you can use a pumice stone or foot file. Moisturize before and afterwards. Use a foot file in the shower or after a foot soak. Use moisturizer after but not between the toes.
• “Trim nails straight across. If there is any pressure on the sides, you can file the nails neatly so they won’t hurt.
• “We don’t like pushing the cuticle back. It’s there to protect the toe from fungus and bacteria. I think that’s how a lot of people get fungus infections.
• “If you have very dry skin, you should get a medical opinion to make sure it’s not athlete’s foot. If not, use AmLactin or CeraVe. You can wear socks and that keeps the medicine on the feet a little longer.
• “If you have diabetes, be very careful with your feet. Wash your feet daily and dry between your toes. Inspect them daily to make sure there’s nothing new going on. Trim your nails neatly and avoid going barefoot because you might hurt yourself. Wear something that will protect your feet.
• “Have some type of foot protection by the pool to avoid getting warts or stepping on foreign objects. If you’re out in the spring and active and you want to do athletic activities, pick out a sneaker with good arch support. Nothing tight. Have the right, appropriate size and width of your foot and check afterwards for injury like blisters.
• “Wear a supportive sandal such as Keen, Clarks, Merrell, Birkenstock or Teva. The foot works overtime to keep a flip flop on. Inexpensive knockoffs are fine.”
— Tips from Joseph DiPrima, podiatrist and board—certified in foot and ankle surgery with Advanced Foot Care Center of Rochester:
• “Start with clean, dry feet. Wash your feet with warm water and mild soap before any pedicure. Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes, to prevent fungal growth.
• “Trim nails the right way: cut toenails straight across and avoid rounding the corners too much — this helps prevent painful ingrown toenails.
• “Be gentle with cuticles. Cuticles protect the nail bed from bacteria. Instead of cutting them, gently push them back after softening in warm water.
• “Choose tools wisely. Use clean, disinfected tools every time. If you visit a salon, don’t hesitate to ask how they sanitize their instruments.
• “Exfoliate; don’t over-scrub. Lightly buff away dead skin with a pumice stone or foot file. Over-exfoliating can cause microtears and irritation, leading to infection.
• “Moisturize daily. Apply a rich, non greasy foot cream, focusing on heels and dry areas. Avoid putting lotion between toes to reduce moisture buildup which can result in fungus infection.
• “Pick breathable polish practices. Give your nails a break from polish every few weeks to prevent discoloration and allow the nail to ‘breathe.’
• “Watch for warning signs: redness, swelling, pain or unusual nail changes should be checked by a podiatrist promptly.”
— Tips from Andrea Whitcomb-May, owner Andrea’s Foot Care, Rochester:
• “When you go to a salon, ask if they use a medical grade steam autoclave sterilizer. That to me is very important. It is not required for nail technicians to sterilize their tools. Some places use liquid sterilizer which does not sterilize. It’s unfortunate that it’s marketed as such, but it does not sterilize the tools.
• “For home pedicures, almost all are made to not go directly on the nail plate, unless it’s an all-in-one product. You need to use a basecoat. The nail polish itself is going to damage your nails. The basecoat will protect the nail. Red polish or dark purple will often stain the nail. Even a basecoat can damage nails. You want a topcoat on too. You want three products. Whether it’s an all in one or three, nail polish should only be on the toenails for three weeks at a time. Then it needs to be removed. It’s best to remove your polish, leave polish off for at least 24 hours before you apply. You want to give your nails a break. Rub in some beautiful oil. Or just use olive oil and massage your toenails with that. Nail polish dehydrates and damages the nail plate. Just like our skin has cracks in it and is flaky when dry, the same thing happens to the nail. Nail polish will damage and weaken the nail and may cause it to lift off of the nail plate. I do not like gel polish on toenails. You don’t need gel.
• “Drink water, drink water, drink water. It’s the best way to hydrate the skin. It shows up in your feet. You can load up all kinds of lotion and it only does so much. Hydration starts from within. A good summer drink is cucumber water. It’s refreshing. Plain water often sounds very boring.”