Look & Feel Good for Summer

Are corns, calluses or funky feet taking the spring out of your step?

Summer is the time to wiggle your toes and let your feet breathe. Sandals, jellies, flip-flops and open-toed shoes feel great. But do your feet look great in them?

Many women and men are embarrassed by their feet, hiding them in closed shoes in the warm weather, but that’s not necessary. There are many ways to resolve corns, calluses, bunions and more, so put your feet up and read on:

“Unsightly corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin,” explains podiatrist Dr. Tina Woodburn. “They are caused by pressure and rubbing against bony prominences such as hammertoes and bunions.” Dr. Woodburn recommends sandals in this case. “Your toes will love the open roomy space.”

Salicylic acid pads can help reduce skin buildup, but be careful. “The pads don’t know the difference between good and bad skin, and they shouldn’t be used by people with diabetes or vascular disease.” A pumice stone is another option.

Nail polish can trap in moisture and encourage fungal infections. For women prone to these stubborn infections, Dr. Woodburn recommends a line of antifungal polish. The active ingredient is tea tree oil. “The polish can cover up imperfections while preventing or controlling fungal infections,” she says.

Some people suffer from exceptionally sweaty feet. Try an antiperspirant spray along with antifungal powder. “If nothing works, Botox injections can be very effective. They block the  neurotransmitter acting on the sweat glands,” says Dr. Woodburn.

Problems that need a doctor’s assessment include hammertoes (one or more toes that curl or bend abnormally), a crossover toe (the second toe drifts and eventually crosses over the big toe) and bunions.

These conditions can make walking painful. When nonsurgical treatment isn’t effective, surgery can provide a solution. For hammertoes, the surgeon may release the buckled joint, remove a small  section of bone from the affected joint, or replace the entire joint with an implant. Bunions often run in families. Wearing tight shoes doesn’t cause bunions, but can make them worse. Various surgeries are available to remove the bony bump and straighten the bone structure.

Dr. Tina Woodburn’s Foot Soak and Massage for Callused Feet:

1. Add to a basin of water: Fresh lemon wedges, mint leaves and peppermint oil, or a lavender and tea tree oil blend
2. Place smooth river rocks in the basin and rub your feet on them
3. Pat your feet dry, use a pumice stone to remove dead skin, and use a moisturizer such as Aqua Glycolic.