Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer
WITH FLASHY colours drawing attention to feet this summer, the last thing you want is to be caught with corns, callouses and cracked nails.
Get your feet summer ready with some advice from the experts.
WEAR PROPER FITTING SHOES
Janet Lowe, spa director of Isabelle's, 18 Rochester Avenue, St. Andrew, says it's important to wear proper fitting shoes -- preferably leather -- to eliminate the onset of corns and other foot problems.
Beware of the trendy pointed toe shoes, warns Carolyn Elison, manicurist at Isabelle.
"The pointed mouth shoes that women love so much, contribute to corns and blisters. The shape is too narrow so that will cause corns, splitting and cracking of the big toe."
Shoes that are too big can also cause corns because they can cause the feet to slide and rub on the inside of the shoe, resulting in corns, says Elison.
Below are some of the conditions caused by ill-fitting shoes.
BUNIONS
Angelique Morgan a podiatrist at Liguanea Medical Centre, Liguanea, St. Andrew agrees with Elison. She notes that while bunions (a complex deformity of the big toe) may be hereditary or caused by rheumatoid arthritis, the most common cause is linked to ill-fitting shoes.
"The toe is usually turned outward and the joint of the toe is usually prominent, and this causes pain and, for most women, cosmetic concern," notes Morgan.
CORNS
Corns (heloma), notes Morgan, are dark, hard thickening of the surface layer of the skin in response to pressure. Morgan says patients often refer to corns as bunions. Corns, explains Morgan, can be extremely painful with a stabbing pain in the foot even for a short period when sitting. Corns can also change the way people walk, which in turn can lead to lower back or knee pain.
BLISTERS, CRACKS AND CALLOUSES
The sole of the feet is especially prone to blisters -- a fluid-filled sack -- caused by pressure. Callous is a thickened area of the skin's surface, and is different from a corn which is normally a dense round area.
Cracks are called fissures. These are splits in the epidermis (the top part of the skin that can be seen) that occur because of loss of elasticity in skin texture, and strength or lack of hydration.
Podiatrist Angelique Morgan notes that cracks of the heel are usually a bit dryer and should be given a lot of moisture.
TIPS TO HIDE BLISTERS, CRACKS AND CORNS
The best method is make-up to cover or shade out a blister, cracks or corns.
Use a foundation that is close to your skin tone, says Elsion. She adds that a nice nail polish can do wonders to distract from problem areas of the feet. "Nice pinks, reds and French (a natural look that has a different colour at the end of nail) are the colours that are wearing."
However, says Lowe, use light-coloured polish that lets your toes look good without drawing too much attention to the feet.
If you have bunions, opt for pastel-coloured footwear, she adds.
To remove corns, Elison recommends that you see a podiatrist or try Dr. Scholl's liquid corn remover. Corn pads by Dr. Scholl's can also help to prevent corns, as they will cushion a squeeze.
TREATMENT
Regular pedicures -- every two weeks.
Paraffin pedicure for persons with cracked feet. It puts backs the moisture by closing the cracks and softens the lines. If feet are taken care of properly (and the person wears closed shoes) cracks will eventually go away. Using paraffin wax can also make old feet look young.
At home treatment: Soak feet in a pedisoak, rub the heel with a foot file, and moisturise after each shower.
Shea butter to moisturise feet. "It puts back moisture in the feet."
Wear socks to bed after moisturising to keep the moisture in, and wear closed shoes sometimes.
Wax hair from toes for prettier looking toes.
BEST TIME TO BUY SHOES
Shoe shop in the evening, advises Elison. Due to the ups and downs feet become swollen during the day. This means that a pair of shoes that you buy in the morning may feel tighter later on in the day.
Shoes purchased in the evening provide a better fit.
Also, go for leather, she adds. "It's softer than synthetic which is harder on foot."
