Ingrown Nails...OUCH!!!

 Tips on Tuesday :)

You will notice this is a fairly lengthy post....so if you are not currently suffering the pain of an ingrown nail, just read through “Cause 1 & 2” so that you can be proactive about avoiding this kind of pain. If you are in the midst of an ingrown nail situation, I hope you will find this post helpful in knowing what to do and what to expect.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, try and avoid ingrown nails in the first place. Not only do they hurt like a @$^}#%*!..but they also make for a very grumpy you. You are not going to like learning this lesson the hard way...I know some folks only learn through experience, but please trust me on this one.

Ingrown nails are mainly caused by 2 things; one of which you have total control over and the other very little control.

Cause #1: Wearing your shoes too short and/or pointy consistently over time. Stop it!!!

Cause #2: The shape/direction in which your toenails grow(genetics).Avoid cutting your nails really short.

If you happen to be in a situation where you already have a painful ingrown nail(s) I strongly recommend the following:

1. Make an appointment with your podiatrist now! It often takes at least 1-2 weeks to get on the schedule.

2. Until your visit with the doctor wear open-toed footwear and soak your foot for 40 minutes 3-5x a day in warm Epsom salt water. This helps minimize pain and infection. If you arrive at the doctors office with an infection you will end up with more total visits to get it all resolved. A podiatrist can't do everything possible while an infection is present and will also likely prescribe antibiotics and more Epsom salt baths.

3. Your podiatrist should be able to help you figure out which of the two main causes is responsible for your predicament.

4. If you have an ingrown nail because of Cause #1, the podiatrist will likely numb the affected area with a shot...often with Lidocaine...and get to work on cutting the nail properly and relieving your pain. After the numbness wears off, your toe may be a little sore but the intense pain of the ingrown nail will be gone...HURRAY! Make sure to follow all care instructions and attend your follow-up appointment.

5. Buy longer shoes!!!!! Go to a shoe store that still actually measures feet and avoid suffering from ingrown nails again.

6. If Cause #2 is the issue, the podiatrist will likely numb the affected area with a shot...often with Lidocaine...and get to work on cutting the nail properly and relieving your pain. After the numbness wears off, your toe may be a little sore but the intense pain of the ingrown nail will be gone...HURRAY! Make sure to follow all care instructions and attend your follow-up appointment. Thus, in the short run your issue is resolved, but you must consider the long run if you don't want to become a regular at the podiatrist's office. During your follow up visit you will learn if your nail shape is likely to cause this situation again. In which case, having the edge of the nail permanently removed would be recommended (and not as bad as it sounds). Be sure to attend all of your follow-up visits. If this is not the case, have the podiatrist show you how to properly trim and shape your nail to avoid future recurrences. AND of course make sure your shoes are long enough.

May you live long and without foot pain,

abigail dagmar

Don't be So Calluses...

Tips on Tuesday :)

There are a variety of causes of calluses including your gait, wearing footwear barefooted and ill fitting shoes. When it comes down to it though, we mostly just want to get rid of them. You might be tempted by one of those callus shavers and while they do work the callus returns tougher and with alarming speed and they are dangerous to use particularly if you are diabetic and/or prone to infections.

Of course, there is the pumice stone which does work well if you are diligent about using it daily but we are more likely to use it once hoping for better results and then just let the stone sit in the corner of our showers and collect soap scum. Well rinse that stone off or go get yourself a new one and follow the advice below.

May I offer this remedy from Suzanne M. Levine DPM:

“An effective way to soften calluses involves crushing 5-6 aspirin tablets into a powder, mix into a paste with ½ teaspoon each of water and lemon juice. Apply this paste to all the hard skin spots on each foot, then put your entire foot into a plastic bag and wrap a warm towel around enabling the paste to penetrate the hard skin. Sit still for at least ten minutes (this is the hard part for me). Then unwrap your feet and scrub the entire area GENTLY with a pumice stone. All that dead, hard callused skin should come loose and flake easily away. Note: Because of the remote chance of an adverse reaction, however, those allergic or sensitive to aspirin should not use it on skin. Diabetics should be especially careful not to scrub too hard”.

Remember that a little bit of callus is natural for protection of your feet and shouldn't be eliminated entirely.

Love and soft Soles,

Abigail Dagmar

Do Your Chacos Stink?

Tips on Tuesday

Over the years of helping feet into Chacos sandals, I have enjoyed all the positive feedback from the many folks who love them. Often enough, however, shoe-stomers, friends and family have come to me with a concern. They lean in a little closer, eyes glancing around making sure no one is within earshot and in low voices tell me that their Chacos   S-T-I-N-K-!!! with a capital S! 

Ah yes...a classic case of Chacos Stenchitis:)

I suggest some good 'ol fashioned elbow grease and baking soda. Simply make a paste with baking soda and a little water. Scrub this paste (using all that elbow grease) into the footbed of your sandals and set your Chacos outside in mild sunshine allowing the paste to dry. If you live in areas with intense sunshine the paste will dry quickly so keep an eye on them...don't let them sit out there for more than an hour. Once the paste is dry, use the garden hose to rinse off all the paste. Both you and your Chacos should feel refreshed.

If you are the type that is allergic to elbow grease or likes to “experiment”...I have another strategy to offer. More than one shoe-stomer has shared with me that they have gotten rid of Chaco Stenchitis by placing them in the freezer overnight (yes, you read that right). The theory is that the bacteria that causes the smellies just can't survive in such harsh conditions next to your year old bag of frozen corn. Should you try this, please be considerate of your housemates and at least put your Chaco's in a zip lock plastic bag before putting them in the freezer. Also, once you pull your Chaco's out...do not wear them until they have returned to room temperature.

I would love to hear from all the Chacos fans and how you beat Stenchitis or how the above remedies worked out for you...

Cheers and Chacos,

Dagmar

Caring for Your Birkenstocks

Tips on Tuesday :)

I have heard many people say "Birkenstocks just last forever!"and many folks expect exactly that...forever! I am dubious about big terms like forever but with proper care one could feel confident about a "mighty long time".

When your Birkenstocks are new you should notice the cork has a shiny coating.  This coating or sealant protects the cork from the elements and keeps the cork from drying out and crumbling away.  About twice a year look over your Birkenstocks to make sure the cork still has its shine--if not--it is time to apply cork sealant.  Birkenstock makes their own brand of cork sealant and has the advantage of an applicator brush attached to the lid.  Any glue that dries clear (like good 'ol Elmers) will suffice.  Be sure to coat the entire cork surface and allow to dry completely before wearing again.

Each time you look over your birkenstocks you should also check to see how far down you have worn the soles.  Birkenstocks are re-soleable for about a third on the price of replacing them entirely...I once had a college professor that had a pair of Birks that were older than me...he kept the cork in good shape and re-soled them every couple of years. 

It is most cost effective to have them re-soled before you wear out the soles all the way into the cork layer. Once you have hit the cork re-soling will cost you quite a bit more cash since the cork will require repairing before attaching the new soles.

Birkenstocks do have two weaknesses--moisture and intense heat.  If your Birkenstocks get really wet be sure to let them air dry completely before wearing them again.  Moisture breaks down the cork, glues and linings causing an early demise.  If you live in the NorthWest you you might think you don't have to worry about intense heat--but think again!  It can get VERY hot inside your car and if you left your Birkenstocks in there to bake you won't be too happy with the results.  Typically, the EVA soles shrink back and delaminate from the cork midsole....bummer...and this is not considered a defect...it is considered "you musta baked these in your car..." oooppppsss!

For years of Birkenstock bliss just make sure you look them over at least twice a year and avoid intense heat and moisture.

How to Avoid Blisters

Tips on Tuesday

Blisters are caused by sweat and sticking, shoes that fit too small, gait and sensitive skin.

Reduce sweat and sticking by applying antiperspirant to blister prone areas. Pick up a little travel size stick and keep in your closet so it is handy.

It is a common misconception that shoes too big will cause blisters but more often they are caused by shoes too small forcing parts of the foot against the inside of the shoe or strapping causing pressure with friction commonly resulting in blister.

Most of the time there is not much we can do to change our gait as that would be a huge undertaking, but supportive well-fit shoes and/or orthoses will often improve one’s gait, which may also limit blister occurrences.

Those with very sensitive skin can benefit from wearing polypropylene liner socks that wick moisture away from the foot and allow friction to occur between socks, not sock and foot. Avoid shoes with rough edges, thick stitching or tiny straps. Look for footwear with very soft smooth padded linings and excellent fit.


Blister Free Love,

dagmar