CONTRIBUTED
HOW NICE IT is to be able to slip out of your shoes without being embarrassed by the condition of your feet. But foot care means comfort as well as beauty. Aching feet can be damaging to posture, health, temper, and facial lines - and may eventually disable you if you don't correct the cause. If you have foot problems, see a chiropodist or a podiatrist and be astonished at how much difference one visit can make.
Meanwhile, with a little care, a little consideration and some simple grooming, your feet, ankles and legs can make a tremendous difference to how all the rest of you feels.
FOOT PROBLEMS
Feet will not tire quickly if shoes and stocking are properly fitted - especially if they are long enough.
Buy shoes late in the day when your feet are expanded.
Fit the larger foot and always stand when the foot is being measured.
Both shoe and stocking should be one - half inch longer than the big toe to give room for expansion.
After taking off shoes, grasp the big toes and rotate them slowly. This prevents calluses from forming under the big toe joint.
SWELLING ANKLES
Rest feet as often as possible, keeping them elevated, preferably higher than the hips. At least, keep the knees higher than the hips by using a footrest at home and when travelling.
Be sure that shoes and stockings are not so tight they will become unbearable if feet swell.
See your physician if the trouble is chronic.
BROKEN VEINS
These may be concealed with use of water-resistance cover make-up.
FOOT BURN
Wear shoes with leather soles and uppers - leather is porous and helps to ventilate the feet.
Change stockings at least twice a day.
Sprinkle absorbent powder on feet and inside of shoes or spray with foot spray, if possible, renew each four hours.
CHAPPING
Use a body lotion or hand cream on the foot skin at bedtime and before putting on hose. Apply talcum powder to absorb moisture after the bath. Use a chap cream on knees and ankles if these areas roughen.
HARD CORNS AND CALLUSES
These show areas where shoes rub and well-fitted shoes help the problem. Have existing corns and calluses removed by a foot doctor (a podiatrist or chiropodist).
Cover rubbed areas with moleskin or callus pads to prevent calluses redeveloping.
Pumice-stone rub after each bath can keep foot calluses down.
SOFT CORNS
These appear between the toes and are a fungus infection, as is athlete's foot. Have your doctor prescribe treatment.
INGROWN TOENAILS
These are usually caused by too-short shoes and improperly cut nails. A foot doctor can help.
To avoid, cut toenails straight across (do not taper at the sides) and no shorter than the flesh of the toe.
Wear shoes at least one-half inch longer than the foot.
PERSPIRING FEET
Wear well-ventilated shoes and change shoes daily and stockings twice a day.
Use an absorbent foot powder generously on feet and in shoes.
FOOT RELAXERS
Enjoy a 10 to 20 minute soak in warm water. Adding three tablespoons of baking soda for each quart of water, relaxes the feet. Dry feet well after the soak.
MASSAGE
Particularly useful as a relaxer to homemakers is a tension-easing foot treatment. Use this warm scented oil or foot cream to soothe foot skin as you knead, knuckle, and wring the feet.
Knead the bottom of the foot across the heel, arch, and ball and to the base of toe joints; continue kneading crosswise till the entire bottom has been massaged.
Take one toe at a time and squeeze it between the fingers and then rotate it in both directions. Squeeze hard and pull away from foot as you rotate. Repeat with all toes.
Put the fingers of one hand between the toes and place the other hand over the toes and squeeze.
Pick up limp foot by grabbing one toe at a time, shaking, and then dropping it.
* Insert fingers between toes from sole side, using opposite hand; grasp bundle with free hand, and extend leg, squeezing with both hands. Release. Repeat three times.
* Grasp the ball and arch with opposite hand and wring foot like a wet towel. Leaving hand in place, take other hand and place on heel and wring. Repeat in each direction.
* Grasp foot with left hand, make the right hand into a fist, and work the knuckles over the entire top of the foot from above the ankle to the toes.
* Repeat entire process on the other foot.
* Foot rest - Lie on back on bed or couch or on the floor facing a wall. Lift legs from hips so they make a 45° angle with your reclining spine and place feet firmly against the wall. Hold the position for about 10 minutes or for as long as is comfortable.
The Pedicure.
Pedicure needs are:
Nail clipper Cotton- tipped
Metal file Stick
Cuticle pusher Body lotion
Basin of soapy water Towel
Cotton balls and squares Cuticle remover
Adhesive tape Polish remover
Foot powder Polish base
Nail polish Polish sealer
Foot bath - Start your pedicure after a bath or start with a 10-minute soak in warm soapy water.
* Go over any rough areas on the ball of the foot or at the heels with a pumice stone, rinsing the feet as often as you work. Use a nailbrush on the toenails to remove loose cuticle.
Cuticle treatment - Dry the feet and then use a plastic cuticle polisher or a cotton -tipped stick to work away dead skin around the nails.
* Apply cuticle remover and work again around the nails with cotton-tipped stick.
* Rinse toes in soapy water then, to loosen cuticle, massage each nail with the corner of a towel.
* Dry feet well and then give the feet and legs, all the way up over the knees, a massage with rich body lotion.
If any areas are callus-prone, soak a cotton square in body lotion and fix it over the rough spots with adhesive tape. Leave on overnight.
Nail care - Clip toenails straight across, smooth tips with a metal file so that nail tip is somewhat bevelled, but do not file down at sides. The squarish shape is comfortable and pretty.
* Place cotton balls between the toes to keep them separated while you apply polish.
* Apply base coat. Two coats of enamel, and a seal coat.
* Use coloured polish whenever feet are to be exposed, whether on the beach, in open shoes, or at home.
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