<p style="text-align: justify">Summertime is drawing near, are your feet ready to hit the beach? During winter months, it is natural for the cold weather to help create dry feet and cracked heels. In addition, ladies (and some gents) may skip pedicure maintenance because their feet are less exposed. Flip flop season is here again, so let&#8217;s take a look at how to get your feet ready below: </p>
<h2><strong>Dry, Cracked Heels </strong></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify">Dry feet and cracked heels can be embarrassing, uncomfortable and in some instances, even painful. There are a few factors that can contribute to this condition, including: </div>
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<p>Not wearing socks on hardwood and/or cement floors </p>
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<p>Cold, dry weather </p>
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<p>Too much time in the sun </p>
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<p>Not properly moisturizing </p>
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<p>Using harsh soaps and detergents </p>
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<div style="text-align: justify">Deep cracks and fissures can develop, when feet and cracked heels are left untreated. The best way to treat them begins with a vinegar soak. <br /><img src="https://haznos.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/How-To-Get-Flip-Flop-Ready-Feet.jpg" alt="How To Get Flip Flop Ready Feet" width="500" height="334" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9457" /></div>
<h2><strong>Directions for Vinegar Soak </strong></h2>
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<div style="text-align: justify">Draw lukewarm bath tub 1/2 full </div>
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<div>Add 3-4 cups of vinegar to optimize the water&#8217;s pH </div>
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<div>Soak feet 12-15 minutes </div>
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<div>Use a pumice stone to remove dry flakes and dead skin cells (especially on the balls of the feet) </div>
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<div>Moisturize 3-5 minutes after the soak with a petroleum based ointment and ceramide cream </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify">For an effective overnight, one week treatment, wrap dry, cracked heels. Apply a liberal amount of your petrolatum based ointment to the affected areas. Take a small piece of saran wrap and cover the ointment. Once you have concealed the ointment with the wrap, secure the wrap with a white, cotton sock. Wear it overnight. In the morning, remove the sock and wrap. Take a pumice stone to the area, on the third and seventh morning to remove dead skin. Use a ceramide cream, twice per day, to help your skin&#8217;s barrier to repair itself and replace lost cermaide&#8217;s from the epidermis (skin&#8217;s outer layer). </div>
<h2><strong>Toenail Tips </strong></h2>
<p style="text-align: justify">Pedicures are necessary for maintaining nail health. Be careful about where you go to receive pedicures, if you choose to have them professionally done. Dirty water and unclean tools can lead to infection. If you choose to do your own pedicure, here are some helpful tips for ensuring proper maintenance: </p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">Use nail scissors to remove hanging skin around the toenail. Do not cut the cuticles. This poses risk for infection. </p>
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<p>Push back cuticles with an angle tipped nail stick. Use a cuticle remover to soften them, prior to pushing them back. </p>
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<p>For natural nails, use a nail file with a 180 grit for shortening nails. </p>
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<p>Avoid metal nail files if your nails are weak, or thin. They can be too rough. </p>
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<p>Use a buffing block to buff a natural shine on your toenails. </p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">Always sterilize metal pedicure tools and replace others every couple months. This will help prevent fungi and infection from breeding and spreading. Don&#8217;t share pedicure tools. </p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">For nail discoloration, take a lemon wedge and rub the nails with it for one minute. Lemons contain oxidizing agents that will help to brighten discolored nails! If this naturopathic remedy doesn&#8217;t help with the discoloration, you may have a fungal infection. See a doctor for other treatment options. </p>
<p>Dr, Cheryl Lee Eberting blogs regularly about skin problems, treatment and after care.</p>