What You Need to Know Before You Have a Pedicure

 

Nothing beats rewarding our tired, aching feet with a relaxing pedicure. It eases tension, and makes our feet feel and look better.

However, like so many other pleasures in life, pedicures can be dangerous. The main culprit is germs.

In one salon over 100 customers developed an infection from a dirty whirlpool.

Over the years I’ve treated several people who developed infections after pedicures and in one tragic case, the woman needed her big toe amputated.

The good news is that you can do a few simple things to minimize this danger.

1. Be Sure You’re Healthy Enough For a Pedicure

Consider your health first. Do you have diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy (numbness or burning in the feet) or skin problems on your feet? These may increase your risk of infection, and you might not want to chance a pedicure.

If you are not sure if you’re healthy enough for a pedicure, have your feet checked by a podiatrist and get his or her opinion.   

2. Check Your Legs, Feet and Ankles Before the Pedicure

Any breaks in the skin, nicks, cuts or other sores on your legs, feet or ankles increase the risk of germs penetrating your skin, and until these problems heal you should avoid pedicures.

Along these lines, don’t shave your legs for at least one day prior to your pedicure as razors can leave tiny breaks in the skin too small for you to see, but large enough for nasty bacteria to enter.

3. Ask the Pedicurist Questions

There are a few simple questions you should ask the pedicurist or nail salon at your first visit or even over the phone before you go.

• Is the pedicurist licensed? They should be. And you should be able to see the license prominently displayed.
• Are the pedicurist’s instruments disposable? If not, ask how they clean the instruments. The best way to kill germs is by cleaning the instruments in a sterilization machine called an autoclave.   Soaking instruments in a disinfectant solution is not as good, but can be okay if a hospital grade disinfectant is used and the solution is changed regularly.
• How does the salon clean the footbath (and is it cleaned after every customer)?  Footbaths can breed germs. If the customer who last used it had an infected sore on their foot, you’ll want to be sure the salon disinfected it properly.  

4.  See How the Salon Looks

The salon should be clean with no dirt, debris, or hair or nail clippings on the floor or counters, and it should be organized, with bottles clearly labeled and instruments put away in drawers or containers.

If this is not the case, it is likely the salon isn’t taking the time to properly disinfect footbaths or instruments.

 5. Pay Attention to the Pedicurist

The pedicurist should be neat and presentable, with clean hands, or better yet, they should wear latex gloves.

And prior to the pedicure, he or she should examine your feet and ask about medical problems that may affect your feet.   

6. Be Wary of Pain

A pedicure should never hurt.

Pain during a pedicure may mean the pedicurist is doing something wrong or it could be signal your foot has problem that needs medical attention. Either way, it means its time to stop the pedicure.

Final Thoughts on Pedicures

When salons follow some relatively simple steps pedicures can be safe, soothing and a great reward for our battered feet.

If you have doubts about your salon or pedicurist, don’t risk your health, trust your instincts and go somewhere else.

Please feel free to share your experiences with pedicures.

– Dr. Nirenberg

Size Does Matter! — At least when it comes to your feet!

Clown told to avoid oversized shoes

A Moscow State Circus clown says he was told by circus management not to wear his oversized clown shoes following an accident in Britain.

They Don't Look Hazardous

Valerik Kashkin said after he broke the metatarsal bone in his left foot as a result of a fall from a high wire in the city of Liverpool he was told to avoid wearing his size 18 shoes as a safety precaution, The Daily Telegraph said Thursday.

“The shoes are an important part of my costume, and I was disappointed to be told I couldn’t do this part of my act,” Kashkin, 40, said.

Kashkin said he is confident in his ability to wear the shoes and still remain safe during his act, which consists of him crossing a wire while simultaneously playing a drum-kit, double-bass and trumpet.

“I feel fine, and think I could do it in the shoes — the impact might be lost on the audience now,” Kashkin told the Telegraph.

Moscow State Circus General Manager Paul Archer agreed the loss of the large shoes may detract from Kashkin’s act but he said the precautionary ban was necessary.

 Source: UPI

Dr. Nirenberg’s Comments:

 Usually, when we think of poor footwear we think of squeezing our feet into shoe that are too small.

However, this story reminds us that size does matter and shoes that are too large can be just as detrimental to our feet.

Oversized shoes can allow our feet to slide and cause friction resulting in corns, callouses or blisters.

A Good Reason Not to Wear Flip-Flops

What to do if a mower severs your toe

There are more than 200,000 gardening accidents annually, including ones that resulted in severed fingers or toes, U.S. researchers said.

Not a Good Time to Wear Flip-Flops

Dr. Maureen Finnegan of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas said whirling blades can send projectiles like rocks and sticks flying. They can also cut fingers, toes and feet.

“If you do accidentally sever a finger or toe, it’s important to cleanse the amputated part with saline water, wrap it in gauze and put in a watertight bag,” Finnegan said in a statement. “Place the bag over ice and take it with you to the emergency room.”

Better, of course, is to avoid injuries. Finnegan said this can be done by concentrating on the task at hand and using common sense when operating machinery.

Some basic safety measures Finnegan recommends include:

– Wearing sturdy shoes rather than sandals or flip flops.

– Checking the yard for debris that could be potential projectiles.

– Always turning off the mower before clearing the blades when something is caught.

Source: UPI

Dr. Nirenberg’s Comments:

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates more than 40,000 Americans suffered a power mower-related injury in 2007.

Lawn mower injuries can very quickly cause serious damage to your feet.

In addition to the above recommendations, be sure to only cut the lawn when it is dry (not wet or rain-soaked), and be very careful on slopes (most of the injuries I have seen over the years occurred on wet grass or when mowing on a hill or slope).

Doctors advise: skip the flip-flops this summer

 

Tank tops, shorts and flip-flops. They’re all part of the uniform of summer. But while the first two won’t lead to too many health problems — beyond exposing you to sunburn — you may want to reconsider your footwear plans, warn some doctors.

Dr. Rosty Serebryany, a chiropractor at Athletic Edge Sports Medicine in Toronto, says he’s seen a bevy of summer shoe-related injuries in his practice. Women may not be able to resist strappy shoes and sandals in the summertime, but those attractive pieces of footwear can lead to injury.

“They’ll be running for the bus or they might step off a curb funny, and they will roll their ankle or they’ll feel something get strained,” he tells CTV.ca.

The problem with sandals, Serebryany says, is that many don’t have straps at the back to hold the shoe on your foot. One misstep and you could be looking at summertime in a cast.

“If you’re getting no support from the sandal and you really roll your ankle, you can tear your ligament or even sprain or break your ankle,” he says.

If teetering on high-heeled sandals is a recipe for disaster, flat-soled flip-flops can march you into a world of foot and muscle problems, notes Scarborough-area podiatrist Dr. Kel Shirkin.

That’s because flip-flops offer no arch support whatsoever and can accentuate any abnormal foot biomechanics. Even people who don’t realize they have flat feet or a tendency to roll their ankles inward can have no problems all year long, only to notice aching feet, ankles and knees during a summer in flip-flops.

With a flat, foam-soled flip-flop, just walking on concrete for a few hours can cause the “plantar fascia”, the ligament on the bottom of the foot that supports the arch, to become strained. The condition is called plantar fasciitis and it can mean some stabbing heel pain over time.

“You’re going to have a lot of strain of the soft tissues and strains of the joints, which will cause pain. Which will lead to compensatory gait. Which will cause additional pain. Which will then drive them to my office and make me very happy,” Shirkin laughs.

Left untreated, plantar fasciitis can cause knee pain, hip pain and eventually back pain. So even what seems like mild, though somewhat annoying, foot pain could worsen into something like tendonitis if you don’t ditch the flip-flops at the first sign of pain.

Even the thong that runs between the first and second toe on a flip-flop can cause injury, notes Serebryany.

“If you’ve got just the one strap over the foot and nothing on the back to support your heel, all the force is coming down in between your first and second toe where the strap is and you’re going to create irritation in that specific area,” he says.

Not a summer-long solution

Neither Serebryany not Sirkin are anti-flip-flop. There’s nothing really wrong with them if they’re worn to the beach or in a locker room shower, as an alternative to going barefoot. The problem is some insist on wearing them all summer long.

“If you want to wear flip-flops, you should only wear them for a short period,” says Shirkin.

“But to walk downtown through the concrete jungle and go long distances all day long, I do not advise at all, because you’re setting up yourself for potential injuries to the foot.

“Common sense should prevail, but young women of today often choose fashion first.”

---

Here are some tips for sandal and flip flop lovers:

• Instead of flip-flops, a sport sandal is a better choice for supporting the foot heel and arch
• If you insist on wearing strappy sandals, choose ones that have a a strap around the heel
• If you insist on flip-flops, choose ones made of soft leather and stiff soles that bend only slightly
• Make sure your sandals fit, and your feet don’t extend beyond the edge.
• To avoid stress injuries and twisted ankles, avoid running or jumping in sandals or flip-flops
• If a day in flip-flops starts to cause pain on the bottom of your feet, use some ice and ibuprofen to bring down the swelling and ditch the offending shoes in exchange for proper shoes with good arch and heel support. Within a week or two, the pain should go away
• Never wear flip-flops to do yardwork or anywhere where you could injure your toes or toenails
• Don’t wear flip-flops or strapless sandals while driving, as they can fall off easily and get wedged under the brake
• Don’t forget sunscreen on the tops of your feet, which are highly susceptible to burns
• The summertime heat and humidity can worsen athlete’s foot, fungus and blisters. If you can’t keep your feet in good shape yourself, treat yourself to regular pedicures in a clean salon or with a podiatrist.

Source: CTV Canada

 

Dr. Nirenberg’s Comments:

I cannot agree more with this article.

Flip-flops, or as my son says flop-flips, are one of the biggest dangers to your feet and ankles, and don’t do anything to help your knees, hips or back.  If you insist on wearing  them, buy one that has the strap, or as I call it the “seat belt,” around the heel.

Tattoos Can Give Feet Pizzazz

A patient's tattoo gives her foot pizzazz

 

Foot tattoos are fun way to jazz up our feet, but it’s important to be careful about where on the foot you place the tattoo.

Unfortunately, I have had patients who complain that their foot tattoo causes them mild or in some cases, excruciating pain. These patients tend to have the tattoo on a toe or toes.

Since are toes are often not very fleshy and each toe has four main nerves and arteries and veins, it seems likely that a tattoo on toe could easily become irritating or painful.

Our feet are complex structures with 28 bones, dozens of muscles, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels and you need to be careful when deciding to have a tattoo on your foot.

In general, foot tattoos placed near any nerves or blood vessels and or bony prominences could become a serious, painful problem.

If you do want a tattoo on your foot, I recommend you first have your foot checked by podiatrist.

Dr. N

Five Tips to Fix Your Aching Feet

Bunions, Flat Feet & Weak Ankles

Most of us don’t think about our feet until they hurt.

Even then, we limp around hoping the pain will go away. But with two to three times our body weight pushing down on each foot with every step, it usually doesn’t.

Fortunately, you can do a few things for relief.

 

1. Wear Only Great-Fitting Shoes

In one study, 88% of women admitted that at some point they knowingly squeezed their feet into shoes that were too small.

Further, as we age, our feet tend to become larger, but most people insist on wearing the same shoe size they wore years ago.

In addition to making sure your shoes fit properly, make sure they have a good arch support and that the heel counter—the area that wraps around your heel—is firm and strong.

 

2. Feet Need Exercise, Too

I can hear the couch potatoes now:  “My feet get enough exercise.”  Perhaps, but walking to the fridge or standing in line at McDonald’s isn’t exactly exercise.

Most people agree our entire body needs exercise, but few people think about keeping their feet in shape.

Yet, with the average person walking over a hundred thousand miles in their lifetime, feet need all the help they can get.

Foot exercises tone, stretch, and strengthen feet, while alleviating fatigue, soothing soreness, and increasing blood flow.

 

3. Take the Plunge

Nothing soothes sore, aching feet more than a relaxing footbath.

You can use a bathtub or plastic basin, or for some serious relief, I recommend buying a massaging footbath.

Make sure the water is warm, not hot (I’ve seen patients soak in water so hot they received second-degree burns).

Add good quality bubble bath to the water; and for those who are not diabetic or have poor circulation, adding Epsom salts is great, too.

 

4. Moisturize Your Way to Healthier Feet

Good moisturizers can sooth dry, irritated skin.

The secret to finding a good moisturizer for your feet is not by price; more expensive doesn’t mean better.

Read the ingredients and avoid products with alcohol or alcohol derivatives—the best dry-skin products tend to be creams without alcohol.

These are gooier and absorb slowly, so I recommend applying them just before going to bed.

 

5. Nailing Down Nails

Caring for your nails will go a long way in helping to alleviate foot problems.

Long, jagged, and thickened toenails can catch on socks or pantyhose, dig into adjacent toes, or suffer injury by pressing against the inside of our shoes.

In my practice, I have seen unkempt nails lead to blisters, infections, ingrown toenails, and even gangrene.

When trimming your toenails, follow the contour of the toe and avoid cutting into the corners. Smooth any rough edges with a nail file.

 

Final Thoughts on Aching Feet

Caring for your feet is your responsibility. However, when problems don’t go away, become serious, or if you have diabetes or poor circulation, get professional help and see a podiatrist.

The Surprising Truth About High Heels

 

If you’re a woman with foot problems—perhaps bent, crooked toes such as hammertoes or bunions, or corns and calluses—it’s not due to wearing high heels.

Our doctors, mothers, and even pop magazine articles have sold us on the idea that women’s foot problems are often from wearing high heels.

However, after treating hundreds of women who had horrible feet and swore they rarely, if ever, wore high heels, I began to question if high heels were really the reason so many women had foot problems.

Could women’s feet be genetically unique from men’s?

And could these differences make them more likely to develop foot problems?

The answer was a resounding yes!  

Like the female brain and most of her body, doctors are finally beginning to realize the female foot is remarkably different from that of the male.

A woman’s feminine frame (generally, wider hips and proportionately shorter legs) and her precise chemical physiology (pregnancy, menopause, and menstrual cycle, or lack of a cycle) profoundly affect her feet, altering their function, shape, and at times, chance of injury.

Even the shape of a woman’s foot is unique.

Compared with males, women have a foot that is shorter and narrower with an instep that isn’t as long (the average American woman wears a shoe size of 8.5).

Taken together, all these factors create a “female foot” that is more prone to foot problems, such as hammertoes, bunions, and pinched nerves—with or without high heels.

Does this mean I recommend you wear high heels?

That would be like a nutritionist recommending Häagen-Dazs!

High heels place your feet in a weakened position, causing foot problems that would develop anyway to worsen more quickly, and high heels worn excessively can cause their own unique foot problems, such as pinched nerves, bent toes, or a shortened, tight Achilles tendon.   

Wearing high heels should be thought of like a dieter having a hot fudge sundae occasionally: it’s a decadent treat.

The key word is “occasionally,” and you should add to that “briefly.”

Now that you know the truth about high heels, feel free to slip on a sexy, gorgeous pair and look stunning—briefly and occasionally—guilt free!

Feet Need Vitamins too

 

Many of my older patients wish they had taken better care of their feet when they were younger.

Thankfully, doctors and the health food industry are finally recognizing what many people have wanted for years: safe, natural ways to keep their feet strong and healthy.

The safest, simplest way to keep your feet healthy throughout life is already in your kitchen: water.

 

 

Water regulates temperature and metabolism, delivers electrolytes to muscles and lubricates our joints.

With each foot containing 33 joints and depending on 19 muscles, even slight dehydration can cause your feet to cramp and fatigue.

I recommend drinking eight glasses of water a day.

Guzzling Mountain Dew, Mocha Frappuccinos or six-packs of Bud Light isn’t the same.

Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages can actually cause dehydration.

Drinking water, not only for your feet, but also for your whole body, should be common sense, yet at any time, 75 percent of Americans are mildly dehydrated.

Moderate or severe lack of water can make feet cold and more vulnerable to infection.

Dehydration can also make toenails brittle and the skin of our feet dry.

Dry skin may not seem like a big problem, but on the feet, dry skin can crack and develop deep, painful fissures that are at risk for infection.

 

A patient with dry skin on their heel.

 

I’ve seen simple breaks in the skin, particularly in the feet of the elderly and people with diabetes, lead to catastrophic infections, at times resulting in the foot’s amputation.

However, dry skin on the feet may indicate more than just a lack of moisture.

Sometimes it’s psoriasis, a fungal infection or a sign of a more serious condition, such as diabetes, poor circulation or a thyroid disorder.

If your feet have severe or persisting dry skin, you should see a podiatrist.  

The best way to soothe dry skin is with moisturizers and applying vitamin A, D and E. You can put these on your feet separately, mix a concoction or buy a vitamin-enriched cream.

When choosing a cream, don’t go by price; more expensive doesn’t mean better.

Read the ingredients and avoid products containing alcohol or alcohol derivatives, which actually dry skin. Surprisingly, alcohol is common in many so-called moisturizers.

Dry, irritated skin also responds to foot powder, particularly when the powder is enriched with zinc or menthol.

A sprinkle a day will not only help keep the skin moisturized, but also lessen odor and perspiration.

Urea also helps keep feet healthy. A natural compound, urea attracts moisture, slowing its escape from the skin. Look for it by itself or in moisturizers.

For patients with severely cracked heels, I often prescribe medicated creams containing 40 percent urea.     

I also recommend urea for frail, brittle toenails.

To strengthen toenails, apply Biotin, a B vitamin, and take calcium and vitamin A. Vitamin C helps nails too—not that they have to fight off colds, but they can get painful hangnails, which this vitamin prevents.

Caring for your feet as you age also means keeping your bones strong.

Bones form the foot’s foundation, in turn supporting our entire body. With aging, bones lose strength and develop osteoporosis.

Combine osteoporosis in your feet—each foot a jigsaw puzzle of 28 small bones—with a one hundred and fifty or two hundred pound person landing on them repeatedly and you have a great chance for fractures.

Women past menopause are at the greatest risk for osteoporosis.

A simple test can check for osteoporosis and, if necessary, your doctor will prescribe medication.

To help prevent osteoporosis, eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D and exercise regularly, doing activities that put weight on your feet such as walking, aerobics or weight lifting.

Lastly, vitamins and minerals—and in rare cases, even water—are not always safe for everyone. Before starting any supplements, always check with your doctor.