MISS MEG TALKS SPRING FEET IN THE NEW YORK POST TODAY
SOLE SURVIVAL
BATTLING FOOT WOES SPRING BRINGS
By PIPER WEISS, NEW YORK POST
May 9, 2006 -- SPRINGTIME in
Unfortunately, the season is often accompanied by Spring Foot: the gnarly blisters, ingrown nails and scraped heels that go along with breaking in warm-weather shoes.
Ouch. And yuck.
Still, with a little effort and planning, Spring Foot can be a thing of the past.
IF THE SHOE FITS
Tight-fitting shoes are one of the biggest causes of Spring Foot, says Meghan Cleary, shoe expert, blogger (missmeghan.com) and author of "The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoes Say About You."
She advises buying shoes "at the end of the day, when feet are biggest."
And if you're in the market for stilettos or pointy-toed shoes - and who isn't? - buy a half size larger to leave a little room for padding.
If you must indulge, he says to remember to break in your Blahniks slowly. "The time to test them out is not the day you go on a three-mile walk."
USE PROTECTION
Vaseline. The lubricant is a cinch for avoiding blisters. Spreading a bit of it on the parts of your feet that are prone to blistering will decrease the friction between foot and shoe.
BLISTER IN THE SUN
To get rid of a blister, apply a cushiony blocker like Band-Aid Blister Block or Dr. Scholl's Blister Treatment directly on the problem area. These gel-based bandages protect from infection and allow the blemish to heal.
If the blister's on the sole of your foot, "lance it," Dr. Zong says.
Make a tiny prick and squeeze out all the fluid while leaving the loose skin intact "to act as a biological barrier." Disinfectant and a Band-Aid will keep the area clean.
TOENAIL TRAGEDY
Tight-fitting shoes or high heels can jam toes together and redirect nail growth. To treat ingrown nails, doctors recommend soaking the foot in warm water twice a day. After soaking, put cotton under the ingrown edge to help the nail grow above it.
HEEL HORROR
Although not quite as bad as plumber's crack, cracked heels are a definite don't. Try a moisturizing salve like Dr. Scholl's Cracked Heel Relief Cream to soothe, restore moisture and prevent infection.
If you're about to step into new shoes with stiff backs, shoe guru Cleary suggests "gently bending the heel forward and in towards the insole," and then applying moleskin or Foot Petals Heavenly Heelz cushions to ease friction between the heel and the shoe.
DRY SPELL
If your feet are simply dry from a long winter of closed-toed neglect, pamper yourself. Try a warm water foot soak with Epsom salt, which bubbles to create a exfoliating whirlpool effect.
After a warm soak, apply Plantogen Sole Scrub, an all-natural rub made from ingredients like peppermint and antibacterial tea tree oil. For moisture, Cleary recommends a soothing lotion like Dr. Scholl's for Her Foot Softening Balm.
Of course if you'd rather have someone pamper your tootsies for you,
Remember, those are doctor's orders.
