It Takes More Than Two Alike to Make a Good Pair of Socks

Rainbow striped toe socks worn with thong sandals (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That’s a fact. Just because you can match up a pair, doesn’t mean it’s a good pair of socks. Shoes are dark. Add feet and you suddenly have warmth. Once an environment is warm and dark, when perspiration starts, the environment becomes a haven for fungus. Socks form a barrier between feet and shoes, but unless the socks are the right kind of socks, it may add to the problem and create new ones. In order to protect the feet from harmful bacteria and the elements, socks should have specific characteristics.

Some traits a good sock may exhibit:

• Synthetic fibers or blends

• Correct construction and length

• Tactile stimulation

• Appearance

• Cushioning

• Temperature

• Longevity

• Smooth seams

Socks should have moisture wicking capability to keep the foot as dry and comfortable as possible. In the winter damp feet can become very cold and no one wants hot sweaty feet in the summer. They just stink up your sneakers. Socks should be constructed to fit the foot. Tube socks may have a purpose. A tube sock is apt to slip down, bunch up and possibly cause blisters. Of course, everyone wants a sock that’s soft and pleasant feeling and if it’s not solid color and design is important then check out the work and pattern. Socks have areas of cushioning knit into them, so a good sock should have extra padding on the ball of the foot, along the arch and under the heel. If the socks are designed with a specific sport in mind, this may change the way the sock is padded.

A good pair of socks will help keep the feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This is due to fiber content and wicking capabilities. Some natural fibers such as Marino wool and silk have this ability, but once cotton gets damp, it stays damp and has a long drying time. Damp socks will bunch up and cause lumps. Look for synthetic or blends. Perhaps check out Aetrex socks that have copper ions embedded in the yarn.

Good socks perform a function. All things considered, they take care of your feet and form a barrier between your feet and shoes that provides healthy comfort. Keep your feet safer by changing socks to keep feet dry. Dark warm moist environments may allow fungus to gain a “foot hold,” and no one needs that.

If you think your socks may have let you down and you have corns from seams that have caused irritation, or the beginning of toenail fungus or any one of many other concerns, call Dr. Blaakman at (864) 487-3338. No need to get your socks in a bunch. Get an appointment and he can evaluate your concern and have you leave a happier and healthier person.

References:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?78201-More-Than-You-Ever-Wanted-To-Know-About-Top-Quality-Socks-2010-Update

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Helpy Selfy Pedicures

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It probably feels so wonderful to sit in one of those over sized spa chairs and soak your feet in the warm swirling water, allowing the stress and aches to slowly ease out of your body, right?  Well, what happens when the nails need grooming and you can’t get to the salon for whatever reason? Oh! Sudden revelation! You do it yourself. Up until 25 or so years ago, many people did their own pedicures, or helped each other. But just in case you’ve forgotten, here’s a little refresher on tools, technique and precautions.

First, assemble the necessary tools and make sure they are sterile. You will need toe nail clippers, an emery board, pumice stone, cuticle softener, an orange stick and some cotton. Ladies, in preparation, remove old polish.

Now, here comes the good stuff:

• Allow yourself a warm soak, minimum of 5 minutes, but longer is nice too. Here’s a trick, if you’d like to add a little milk to your soak, the lactic acid will help remove dead skin.

• Use a pumice stone to gently scrub away the calloused and dried skin.

• Completely pat the feet dry, making sure you dry between the toes too. 

• Apply an emollient rich lotion, but not between the toes!

• Trim the nails straight across. Nails should be clipped short, but not too short. They should never extend past the end of the toe, and never clip the sides. This can lead to ingrown toenails.

• Use the fine grain side of an emery board to smooth the nails. A steel file is more likely to damage the nail. Smooth the nail, working from the outer edge toward the center, only filing in one direction.

• Apply a dab of cuticle softener to the base of each toenail and let it work for a minute.

• Cover the end of an orange stick with a small amount of cotton and gently push back the cuticle. Caution: It is difficult to trim cuticles at home and should probably be left for the pedicurist, as it is easy to cut yourself.

For polishing techniques, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTZ2_qIua0U. They have an excellent video on home pedicures. Just have a few more thoughts on pedicures to share. If you have that awful nail fungus, don’t polish. The polish coats and traps the infection. Instead, there are a variety of antimicrobial coatings that you can use.

Also guys, man up. This is not sissy stuff. If you looked at your feet or asked your lady she’d say that you need a pedicure too. It’s a part of good foot health care.  And if you ask nice, she might even help.

If you are diabetic, get some assistance from Dr. Blaakman. Your feet may lack sensation and putting them at greater risk if injured. Call him at (877) 941-3338 (FEET).
 
References:

http://www.healthyfeetblog.com/the-25-best-pedicure-tips-ever
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-orange-stick.htm

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Diabetic Shoes

Image via WikipediaDid you know that there are shoes out there that are made specifically for diabetics?  Well there are!  A lot of people with diabetes face neuropathy, which in short, means that their feet are numb, so they can’t feel their feet at all.  This means that they can’t feel when they cut their feet or burn them.  That is why it is especially important for diabetics with neuropathy to pay extra attention to their feet.  What happens is that regular shoes can cause friction and over time, constant friction can cause a cut, which in turn if not treated, will open the cut further, become infected and an ulcer.  If the ulcer is not treated, it will become gangrene and the infection attacks the whole foot and the only treatment can be amputation of the foot.

So in order to protect their feet better, there are specialized shoes that can be made. It’s not just neuropathy that these shoes help with, but they also help with poor circulation and foot deformities.  If you have hammertoes, bunions, flatfeet or other deformities.  The shoes can be formed fitted to keep your feet and in turn the rest of your body in balance.

The shoes prevents foot problems such as foot ulcers, because it lowers the friction and pressure put on the foot.  That in turn prevents infection and amputation, which is what has to occur if an infection goes untreated for long periods of time.  The protection comes from inserts that form to your feet and the use of softer materials so that there is no rubbing that causes friction. 

If you have diabetes, you should check into diabetic shoes, especially if you have neuropathy.  Upstate Footcare can fit you in a pair!  Give us a call at 877-941-FEET (3338) and set up an appointment!  Or check out our website.

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