Friday foot fact

Week 17

Did you know that friction and pressure are the main causes for callouses? It's our bodies natural defense for the skin to thicken when there is an excess of pressure, to protect itself. The callouses usually appear on the heels and balls of the feet, a certain amount of callosity is good when playing sports, walking or running and that's the upside of them.

The downside of callouses are when they become rigid, inflexible, burning and cracking. At this point, they're painful and the cracks in the callouses can even start to bleed, sometimes creating ulcers in the worst cases. They have become a nuisance and this is when you should get them reduced. Either you do it yourself or get a professional to do it if you lack flexibility, can't see properly or diabetic. If you're diabetic, go see a certified footcare nurse, this is most important for your feet and overall health.

The trick to maintaining them is easy, filing them down once a week and applying a good moisturizer should keep your feet happy!

Have a great weekend everyone and remember to put your best foot forward!

Tips for the travelling feet

A lot of of us have had the experience of going on vacations that will involve a lot of walking. Either you are doing a backpacking trip across Europe or wanting to do some hiking on the east coast. If your feet are not ready for such an excursion, you will pay for it after a few days. How? With blisters and callosity build up.

Picking a right shoe is essential and don't think of "breaking in a shoe" either on your trip. Investing in a good walking shoe is essential overall, even going to a sports store to check out  the walking sandals is a great idea, they are looking more and more stylish now compared to a few years ago.  If the weather is quite warm where you are going I would strongly suggest not wearing a thong sandal, you'll be asking for trouble if you do.

While you are trying out the shoes, make sure to run your hand on the inside of them for any seams that might do some wear and tear in very unslightly spots that can put you in atrocious pain on the first few days of your trip.  Let's face it, you are travelling and visiting the world on foot, if you wanted to put your feet up on vacay, beaches and spas are great for those that want to put their feet up.

For those that have the right shoes already and are going to get a pedicure done before leaving on your trip, here are some tips.

1.  If you're going to get a pedicure done before leaving, make sure the pedicurist doesn't remove all the callouses on your feet, you are going to need some padding for walking. If you have deep cracks in your callouses I would suggest reducing and sealing them.

2.Have your toenails trimmed properly, too short or too long will cause some problems. Believe me, I have had the experience of shearing the sides of some toes because of too much squeezing against them, making my nails dig into the flesh. Not pleasant!

3. Bringing a pumice stone and a nail file would really help out to maintain your feet. While you're at it, make a first aid foot bag by putting in a small bottle of peroxide, a tube of Polysporin and some adhesive bandages together. I saw some bandages that might be a good investment especially made for blister protection.

4. There's also anti blister sticks that are available in drug stores when you know a blister is coming on. A quick fixer upper for your footsies and easy to carry.

5. After a long day on your feet a good moisturizing cream containing either peppermint and/or lavender would really help getting your feet back in tip top shape for tomorrow's excursions.

I hope these tips help making your journey easier on your feet and puts your best foot forward on your  next adventures.

Friday Foot Fact

Week 16

It's Friday and I'm giving a tiny foot fact, like in baby feet tiny! Ever notice how baby feet are so chubby?
The foot of a child has an abundant layer of fat all around it so that the bones of the foot are well protected. This layer of fatty tissues will disappear in the first couple of year of the child's life while the foot develops.

Not only are a baby's foot chubby but usually the toes are pretty much the same length all the way through and the arch of the foot is not very visible, giving the look of a flat foot.

The growth of the foot varies greatly,  some will have a very rapid growth in the second and third year of life, another through the seventh and eight year to have a final growth spur in puberty. Our feet stop growing when we reach the age of 20 in general.

I hope you've enjoyed a the Friday foot fact, tiny but interesting. Last week fact was not published due to a computer melt down, very glad to be back at it today and have lots more to say about feet and aesthetics in general. Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday foot fact

Week 14

Friday foot facts is on Good Friday today and I'm keeping it short and sweet. It used to be very customary to wash your guests feet about some 2000 years ago. It usually was to refresh them from travelling in sandals, if you had sandals but most didn't have the luxury of having foot wear. I can just imagine how dirty feet could get in that day and age, in fact even our sandal adorned feet in the middle of an urban market will get dirty too.

Why I'm touching the subject of washing feet is because I have had some people tell me it's a bit degrading to bend down to someone else's feet, to which I usually reply that some important historical figures have washed the feet of many in humility. As the story goes: Jesus washed the feet of his apostles before the last supper.

I have been brought up in a spiritual home but even though I hardly practice my spirituality in church, I do have to say I feel I practice it every day in my work. I just feel blessed that many have trusted me with their aches and pains on a daily basis, grateful to the support others have given me in my practice.

Last but not least.....Good Friday and Happy Easter to you all.