7 WAYS TO KEEP HANDS AND FEET HEALTHY
You probably have a daily regimen for keeping your face clean and moisturized. But what about your hard-working hands and feet? Hands are the most frequently used body part. They can become dry and ashy really fast. And feet take a beating from bearing your body weight all day. During winter months, hands and feet are both more likely to look dull, red or cracked. But don't just throw on mittens and boots to hide them until spring. Caring for them now can have long-lasting health benefits. Here's how to put your best foot - and hand - forward.
1. SCAN NAILS FOR DARK SPOTS: Small white spots on your nails (leukonychia) are usually nothing to worry about. They often arise from an injury to the base of the nail, such as picking or biting it. But if the spot or band is black, brown or purple, don't assume it's a bruise. It could mean melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. How do you tell the difference? Melanomas are usually different shades of brown or black, although any color is possible, and the discoloration extends to the cuticle. To be safe, always get a discolored nail checked by a dermatologist.
2. KEEP NAILS GROWING STRONG: New cells develop deep under cuticles and push out older, dead cells. That forms those flat, hard surfaces we love to pamper and polish. Their growth rate varies by person, but it can change based on hormones, temperature and aging. If you're always waiting for yours to grow out, try the b-complex vitamin biotin. This supplement has been shown to help with nail growth.
3. MAKE THE MOST OF A MANI-PEDI: All the polish in the world can't make ridged, scraggly tips look pretty. For that, you'll need nail products. If your nails have developed vertical ridges you can make them less noticeable with a ridge filler, available at drugstores, beauty supply shops and mass retailers. Buffing also smoothes the surface. The most important tip for healthy nails: don't share files and other nail tools, since germs and fungus can travel on them.
4. DON'T OVERLOOK CUTICLES: Cuticles may seem insignificant when they're healthy, but small tears, usually from hangnails or dryness, leave the area vulnerable to infections that may cause painful swelling. Hydrating that delicate area with a cuticle cream or hand moisturizer helps create a protective barrier against bacteria, fungus and yeast. Resist the urge to cut cuticles, which can break that barrier.
5. CHOOSE THE RIGHT MOISTURIZER: It's no secret that wind and cold temperatures dry out skin on hands and, in severe cases, cause chapping and painful cracks. And the sun, while it may warm hands, isn't much better for keeping skin smooth. When going outdoors, coat exposed hands in SPF 15 to protect against water loss and harmful rays. Although feet aren't as exposed ot the elements, being cooped up in socks and shoes and carrying body weight all day can dry them out. Moisturize, a lot and often. A water-based moisturizer works best for day. At night, opt for an oil-based version.
6. WEAR THE RIGHT SHOE SIZE: Cramming feet into too-small or pointy shoes isn't only uncomfortable, it can make your toenail grow into the surrounding skin. That can lead to the dreaded ingrown nail, which causes pain, swelling and infection. Too long toenails can also cause problems. Avoid both types of pain by keeping toenails neatly trimmed straight across.
7. DON'T GO BAREFOOT IN PUBLIC: Keep your shoes on while at public places (swimming pools, locker rooms, shoe stores, etc.) to avoid nail fungal infections. These account for about half of all nail disorders. These warm, damp environments are a breeding ground for fungi and viruses. Fungus doesn't only travel from floors ot feet through small cuts or separations between the nail and nail bed. If you have a nail fungal infection, it can spread from one nail to another, and the skin. If left untreated, an infection can cause permanent nail damage or lead to serious infections in other parts of your body. Warning signs to watch for: a nail that's thickening, yellowing, crumbling or lifting from its bed. If you suspect that you have an infection, see a doctor.
source: www.lifescript.com
1. SCAN NAILS FOR DARK SPOTS: Small white spots on your nails (leukonychia) are usually nothing to worry about. They often arise from an injury to the base of the nail, such as picking or biting it. But if the spot or band is black, brown or purple, don't assume it's a bruise. It could mean melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. How do you tell the difference? Melanomas are usually different shades of brown or black, although any color is possible, and the discoloration extends to the cuticle. To be safe, always get a discolored nail checked by a dermatologist.
2. KEEP NAILS GROWING STRONG: New cells develop deep under cuticles and push out older, dead cells. That forms those flat, hard surfaces we love to pamper and polish. Their growth rate varies by person, but it can change based on hormones, temperature and aging. If you're always waiting for yours to grow out, try the b-complex vitamin biotin. This supplement has been shown to help with nail growth.
3. MAKE THE MOST OF A MANI-PEDI: All the polish in the world can't make ridged, scraggly tips look pretty. For that, you'll need nail products. If your nails have developed vertical ridges you can make them less noticeable with a ridge filler, available at drugstores, beauty supply shops and mass retailers. Buffing also smoothes the surface. The most important tip for healthy nails: don't share files and other nail tools, since germs and fungus can travel on them.
4. DON'T OVERLOOK CUTICLES: Cuticles may seem insignificant when they're healthy, but small tears, usually from hangnails or dryness, leave the area vulnerable to infections that may cause painful swelling. Hydrating that delicate area with a cuticle cream or hand moisturizer helps create a protective barrier against bacteria, fungus and yeast. Resist the urge to cut cuticles, which can break that barrier.
5. CHOOSE THE RIGHT MOISTURIZER: It's no secret that wind and cold temperatures dry out skin on hands and, in severe cases, cause chapping and painful cracks. And the sun, while it may warm hands, isn't much better for keeping skin smooth. When going outdoors, coat exposed hands in SPF 15 to protect against water loss and harmful rays. Although feet aren't as exposed ot the elements, being cooped up in socks and shoes and carrying body weight all day can dry them out. Moisturize, a lot and often. A water-based moisturizer works best for day. At night, opt for an oil-based version.
6. WEAR THE RIGHT SHOE SIZE: Cramming feet into too-small or pointy shoes isn't only uncomfortable, it can make your toenail grow into the surrounding skin. That can lead to the dreaded ingrown nail, which causes pain, swelling and infection. Too long toenails can also cause problems. Avoid both types of pain by keeping toenails neatly trimmed straight across.
7. DON'T GO BAREFOOT IN PUBLIC: Keep your shoes on while at public places (swimming pools, locker rooms, shoe stores, etc.) to avoid nail fungal infections. These account for about half of all nail disorders. These warm, damp environments are a breeding ground for fungi and viruses. Fungus doesn't only travel from floors ot feet through small cuts or separations between the nail and nail bed. If you have a nail fungal infection, it can spread from one nail to another, and the skin. If left untreated, an infection can cause permanent nail damage or lead to serious infections in other parts of your body. Warning signs to watch for: a nail that's thickening, yellowing, crumbling or lifting from its bed. If you suspect that you have an infection, see a doctor.
source: www.lifescript.com
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