Sandal Scandal

There are a few things a gal has to do BEFORE putting on those sandals, so she doesn't create a scandal! There is nothing worse than looking down at the feet of someone in a great pair of sandals and seeing a crusty heel, thick callouses or even funky toenail polish.  Listed below are a few issues that you might encounter on your feet. Some we can help with, others,  you'll need to see a podiatrist.  Ingrown Toenail is a toenail that has grown into the skin. An ingrown toenail can result in pain, redness, swelling, even infection. Cutting nails too short or not straight across, injury to the toenail, and wearing tight shoes are culprits. Regular pedicures can help prevent this problem.  Minor surgery can also help by removing all or part of the nail. Fungal Nail Infections can start when microscopic fungi enter through a break in the nail, a fungal infection can make your nails thick, discolored and brittle. If left untreated, the nail infection won't go away -- and can be hard to treat. Fungal infections love warm, wet, dark places, and the fungi can be spread from person to person. Topical creams may help mild cases but antifungal pills are your best chance of curing a severe infection.  There is a new option out there these days... Laser!  It can kill the toenail fungus in just 1 visit, however, it may take up to a year for it to grow out on your toenail.  Athlete's Foot is a fungal infection that can cause peeling, redness, itching, burning, and sometimes blisters and sores, athlete's foot is mildly contagious, passed by direct contact or by walking barefoot in areas such as locker rooms, or pool decks. The fungi then grow in shoes, especially tight ones without air circulation. (think sneakers and work boots) Athlete's foot is usually treated with topical antifungal lotions or oral medications for more severe cases.  Unfortunately, you can NOT get a pedicure while you have athlete's foot. Some callouses that have deep cracks can carry fungal infections in them... So it is very important to reduce those callouses with regular pedicures! Plantar warts are tough, horny growths that develop on the soles of the feet. Contagious, they're caused by a virus entering through broken skin, and often spread via public pools and showers. Plantar warts are harmless and can be left untreated, but in many cases they're too painful to ignore. Topical salicylic acid may help, while burning, freezing, laser therapy, and surgical removal are more aggressive options for more severe cases.  A Nail Technician can NOT work on a foot that has Plantar Warts. Friction causes the thick, hardened, dead skin of corns and calluses, which form to protect sensitive skin. Appearing cone–shaped, corns point into the skin, and usually occur on areas that bear little weight. (in between toes or often on the pinky toe) Calluses may appear anywhere there's friction, and are usually flatter in appearance. Both may be caused by ill–fitting shoes and will fade when friction stops. Moleskin pads can help relieve a corn; calluses can be trimmed or surgically corrected by a podiatrist.  A pedicure can help alleviate the pressure of the callouses or corns. Your Nail technician should NOT be using a credo blade (razor) on your feet, it is AGAINST the law! A Nail technician today has many other options available to reduce your callouses. There are ...products, an electric file, a new hand file, scrubs etc.  to be used by your technician during your pedicure instead. Sorry.. Not much a Nail technician can do for other feet afflictions like bunions, Flat feet or Gout except ...make your toes look so good no one will notice your problems! Also a nice foot and leg massage won't hurt either! If you have any of the serious problems, you will need to see a podiatrist.