Dealing with Embarrassing Foot Problems

women with plantar wartsWith spring just around the corner you want to get your feet ready for sandals and being without socks. However, there are some foot problems that can cause embarrassment and make summer fashion trends difficult to impossible to wear. However, you can do things to get your feet ready now so that come spring, you can wear those hot sandals without any fear.

Corns

If you wear tight shoes often, then it is almost inevitable that corns will occur at some point. It is important to ensure that your shoes fit properly and that the toe box is wide enough to wiggle your toes. To get rid of those corns, you can head to the drugstore and grab a corn remover. These are generally effective and get rid of corns within a month or less. If for some reason this fails to work for you, then your doctor can remove them.

Nail Fungus

This is actually quite common and is often seen in those who get regular pedicures. It is important to choose only the cleanest of salons, or save time and money by doing your own pedicures at home. To get rid of fungus requires at least 12 weeks of using a prescription anti-fungal medication. Since spring is close, you will want to get started with this as soon as possible.

Athlete’s Foot

This is not exclusive to those that spend hours a day in the gym. In fact, you can get it simply by going barefoot at the gym or public pools. Always wear shower shoes and never go barefoot in public. There are over-the-counter creams and lotions that will help to clear this up. It only takes about a week. If you have been properly treating this for two weeks with no results, then it is time to go see your dermatologist.

Ingrown Toenails

These are both painful and unsightly. These often occur just because with no actual cause, but shoes that are too tight and short toe nails can also result in this. Pain, redness and pus could indicate infection so if you are experiencing any of these, head to your doctor. There are treatments that can be done to help this issue.

Plantar Warts

Warts are contagious, but not highly. There are over-the-counter treatments that freeze them off, but if this does not work your doctor can freeze them off. These are not dangerous, but they do look awful. Avoid being barefoot in public to help prevent this.

Dry Skin

Dry skin can crack, callus and it just looks awful. This can be fixed, but it takes work and you should get started today. First, always apply lotion to your feet after showering. You should first use a pumice stone or foot file to slough off some of the dry skin then apply some lotion and massage it in well. Using petroleum jelly at night is also helpful. You should apply lotion, then petroleum jelly and then sleep in cotton socks. Your skin will absorb this throughout the night and calluses and other rough spots are softened. It is important to do this every night and then about once to twice a week once your feet are in the condition that you want them.