Whether you are getting ready for sandal season or just trying to keep your nails in better shape, there are a few simple steps you can take at home to maintain clean and healthy nails. Read on to master these nail care basics.
For more information on foot care, bunion surgery, and general foot surgery, get in touch with the top podiatrist in Los Angeles, Dr. Jamshidinia today.
Daily Care Checklist
The first step to maintaining healthy and clean nails is to make sure you are adequately cleansing your feet every day. Using a mild soap and warm water helps to stimulate circulation to your feet. It’s also a good idea to scrub those toenails with a foot brush and make sure you completely dry your feet, especially in between your toes.
Many people use moisturizer daily on their face or body to combat dry skin but moisturizing your feet is often forgotten. Getting into the habit of moisturizing your feet each day will help to keep the skin around your toenails soft and healthy. Using oils like jojoba that are absorbed quickly will help to keep your toenails from becoming cracked and brittle.
Eating a well-balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts and lean proteins is a great way to keep your nails healthy and strong, and the rest of your body for that matter. You can also take a supplement containing biotin and keratin to help boost nail growth, but a healthy diet is always a good option for overall health.
Many people probably don’t think about this much, but wearing the right shoes and socks can have a significant impact on your nail health. If your shoes or socks are too tight, they can restrict the blood flow to your nails. Poor fitting shoes can also cause painful ingrown toenails, black toenails, corns, calluses, blisters and other issues that can impact how you walk. If you shower at the gym or regularly visit the pool, wear sandals to protect your feet from fungus.
Monthly Care
As part of your toenail care, it’s important to keep your nails trimmed and this is something to do about once a month. Invest in some nail scissors or a good pair of clippers and trim them properly so you avoid ingrown toenails and possible fungus. You should always trim straight across, never in a curve. You should use a nail file to keep any rigid edges smooth. This will help to prevent hangnails.
You should get in the practice of inspecting your nails frequently for any signs of potential health issues.
Occasional Care and Pampering
Treating your feet to a spa day is a good idea every once in a while. Foot massages will help to keep the circulation going in your feet and toes. Good foot circulation will help to keep the blood flowing to your nails which keeps them healthy.
Soaking your feet fairly often can also help to keep your toenails clean and healthy. A good soak will help to loosen any dirt that finds its way into the nail folds or under the nails. This can help to combat smelling feet and fungal infections. Add a little oil to the water to moisturize your feet.
If you enjoy those regular pedicures, make sure your nails can handle it and are still healthy. Using non-organic nail polish can do more harm than good. It can stain your nails yellow and the remover often used can dry out your nails which can cause them to peel and crack. You should always opt for all-natural polishes for your pedicures.
Podiatrist in Los Angeles
If you are suffering from toenail or other foot issues and you need professional help, contact the team at Jamfeet for a consultation. We treat a variety of conditions such as bunions, laser toenail fungus treatment, ingrown toenail treatment, athlete’s foot and diabetic foot treatment issues and much more. If you have embarrassing toenail issues or any type of foot pain, don’t wait another day to get treatment. Contact the top podiatrist in Los Angeles today so you can put your best foot forward.