Taking care of Your Feet

Many people do not think of pedicures until sandle season approaches. However, what is not understood is that in order to have healthy feet, that look and feel good, one must maintain them with regular pedicures even through the winter months. In fact, it is more important to take care of them as we hide them in shoes or boots.

Bacteria loves to grow in dark, warm, dirty environments. We have 250,000 sudiferous glands, also known as sweat glands, in our feet. As a result of this our feet are in constant moisture. Our body regulates temperature through perspiration, as well as releases toxins. So needless to say, it is a moist environment. Most of us, due to changing shoe fashions, tend to buy economical shoes. These shoes are usually made with synthetic materials that do not allow absorption from the foot. Natural fibres naturally draw moisture. These include wool, silk , cotton and leather. The first step to healthy feet is wearing natural fibre socks, and shoes with plenty toe room. I, too, love fashion shoes which are not always toe friendly. Therefore, one must perform regular maintenance on one's feet to prevent the build up of corns and callus. Corns are a build up of callus on a joint or a pressure point. Over time they can become very painful. This is because there is pressure placed on nerves. If they are not kept they can require surgery from a Podiatrist.

As well, about 90% of the population has some type of fungus on their feet or toenails. Sounds unpleasant, but it can be kept from advancing by using an anti-fungal agent everyday. LCN has a product called Mykosept. It is a liquid form applied with a eye dropper. It contains piroctane, and tinactin which keep bad bacteria at bay. Also, healthy skin cannot allow bacteria entrance, so it is very important to use a foot cream rich in essential oils that absorbs and keeps skin soft and supple. I am not talking about mass marketed products that you can attain from drugstores. The foot cream should not contain petroleum products. These products are not absorbed, and just mask the foot causing perspiration which could result in athlete's foot, as an example. A good foot cream is fortified with urea, vit E, vit A, or a jojoba oil base. If you suffer from athlete's foot, or other fungal infections, these could be too rich for you. Therefore, you should be looking for a cream that contains menthol, mint or camphor. These ingredients cool the feet and keep bacteria from advancing. These of course, are your at home maintenace, along with a foot paddle.

Foot paddles should be used dry to remove callus, and should not be stored in your shower. Do not be fooled, as you can infect yourself with your own bacteria, so after using your paddle, you should scrub it with warm soapy water and spray it with alcohol, or better yet a hospital grade broad spectrum disinfectant. Then store the item in a dry, dust free area until your next use. Once a month, every four weeks, you should consult a professional for a pedicure.

A pedicure should involve callous removal, toenail trimming, and cuticle cleaning. I usually recommend the ommision of polish in winter months. This is because your natural nails moisture content is 18%, and when you cover that nail with artificial product or polish the moisture content is increase to 23%. Mold and fungus love that environment. However, with regular use of mykosept you can still have those sexy red toenails. There is a misconception, however, that nails need to breath. That is a wives tale. They are made of dead protein fibres, called keratin, and made of sulphur and a minut amount of calium. There is no blood supply, nor is there a nerve supply so therefore they are not alive and breathing. The matrix is the powerhouse of the nail and that is where the cells are developed. It is located at the base of your cuticle. Your oxygen and nutrients come from your blood supply through capillaries that feed the ends of your fingers or toes. I welcome all questions, this is the purpose of my blog. Stay tuned for an article on what to look for in a pedicurist.