Nail & Foot Care Roscommon

07/04/2024

Are you tired of constantly batling dry and flaky skin? Or maybe your skin is hard and heels fissured? If you've been on a seemingly endless search for a remedy to your skin problem, urea is a science-backed ingredient you'll want to know about. Esteemed in professional skincare for its exceptional moisturizing and skin-renewing properties, urea stands out as a fundamental solution for revitalized skin health.

What makes urea unique?
Urea is a humectant, effectively increasing skin's moisture content by drawing water into the outer layer of the skin. Beyond its moisturizing capability, urea facilitates the natural exfoliation process, aiding in the removal of dead skin cells and promoting a smoother skin texture. Its efficacy extends further, boasting antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to healthier, more resilient skin. Its well-tolerated nature makes it suitable for various skin types, including sensitive skin, providing relief from dryness without causing irritation.

Urea-based creams are particularly valued for their ability to soften hard, thickened skin, such as calluses and corns, improving skin texture and reducing discomfort. Urea's hydrating and keratolytic actions make it a key ingredient in foot care products aimed at enhancing foot health.

For optimal skin health, consider products containing 10% urea, particularly if you're managing dry or rough skin. Don't forget, creams have to be used daily 👣

05/04/2024

This toe just got relieved from an uncomfortable corn under the nail. Remember, your feet carry you everywhere—take good care of them!

03/04/2024

Have you ever heard the saying, "Food is for eating, not for applying on your skin?" This came to life for me while reading research on atopic dermatitis and its links to food allergies. 🌾✨

While the world praises natural food oils for their skin benefits, a journey into scientific insights reveals a more nuanced picture. 🔬 Atopic dermatitis, a common inflammatory condition, often pushes people towards natural remedies like olive, sunflower seed, and coconut oils, aiming to dodge the side effects of conventional treatments.

Delving into the literature reveals the complex nature of olive oil as a skincare ingredient. Despite its widespread use, evidence indicates that olive oil may detrimentally affect skin barrier integrity, particularly in individuals with pre-existing skin conditions. A comprehensive review conducted in 2019 refrained from endorsing any single natural oil, highlighting the need for caution regarding olive oil because of its potential to compromise skin health.

If you are still looking to use a natural oil, choose sunflower seed oil as it emerges as a safer alternative. Unlike olive oil, sunflower seed oil is praised for its ability to enhance skin hydration without disrupting the skin's natural barrier, showing no adverse effects in clinical studies.

So, what's the verdict? While natural oils hold promise, olive oil's high oleic acid content may disrupt skin's natural balance. Sunflower seed oil, however, emerges as a hydrating hero without the drama. 🌻

This tale of oils teaches us the importance of questioning "natural" remedies and underscores the need for tailored skincare. Let's choose wisely for the sake of our skin. 🌿🔍

12/03/2024

Battling stubborn calluses? 🦶 It's tempting to file away that tough skin, but did you know that filing might actually do more harm than good? Calluses typically form in areas of repeated pressure and friction, acting as a shield for your skin against blisters and injuries. When you file the callus, you're igniting a cycle of even more friction, which often leads to even more callus forming just a few days later.

The safest way to say farewell to calluses? Leave it to the pros. A foot professional uses precise tools like a scalpel for safe removal, considering the health of your underlying skin.

Individuals with diabetes or circulation issues should always seek a healthcare provider's guidance for foot care treatments. Calluses, if not managed properly, can lead to serious complications.

So next time, think twice before you file. Your feet will thank you! 👣

27/02/2024

Another pressure wound 🫣 A journey towards healing started🙏

04/01/2024

Let's put our best foot forward daily! 🚶‍♂️👣 Incorporating foot exercises into your routine can work wonders. Try these quick exercises:

1. **Toe Stretch:**
Sit down, cross one foot over the opposite knee, and gently pull your toes back toward your shin. Hold for 15-30 seconds.

2. **Calf Stretch:**
Stand facing a wall, step one foot back, keeping it flat on the floor. Lean forward, keeping your back leg straight, until you feel a stretch in your calf. Hold for 20-30 seconds per leg.

3. **Towel Grab:**
Place a towel on the floor, and using only your toes, try to scrunch it up. Repeat for 3 sets of 10 reps.

4. **Ankle Circles:**
Sit or stand comfortably, then lift one foot off the ground. Rotate your ankle clockwise for 10 circles, then counter-clockwise for another 10 circles. Switch to the other foot.

5. **Heel Raises:**
While standing, slowly lift your heels off the ground, then lower them back down. Repeat for 3 sets of 15 reps.

These simple yet effective exercises not only boost flexibility but also aid in preventing common foot issues. By giving your feet the attention they deserve, you're fostering resilience and keeping discomfort at bay. Trust me, your feet will reward you with comfort and vitality! 🌟🦶

27/11/2023

25/11/2023

Feet are more than just a mode of transportation—they're incredible! 🦶 Let's dive into some intriguing tidbits about these amazing appendages. 🌟

🔍 1. Footprints Like Fingerprints: Did you know that your footprints are as unique as fingerprints? Each person has their distinct foot pattern!

🌏 2. 25% of Your Bones Reside in Your Feet: That's right! A quarter of the bones in your body are located in your feet, making them an intricate marvel of engineering.

🔢 3. Thousands of Sweat Glands: Your feet contain about 250,000 sweat glands, producing roughly up to half a pint of sweat daily. Keep those socks fresh, folks!

🌞 4. Feet and Your Whole Body: Feet can mirror your overall health! Issues like diabetes, arthritis, and circulation problems often show symptoms in your feet first.

🧠 5. Feet and the Brain: The brain and feet are closely connected. Foot movement engages numerous neural pathways, contributing to balance and coordination.

Feet aren't just for walking—they're a fascinating part of our anatomy! 🌟🦶 Embrace and care for these incredible structures supporting you every step of the way.

19/11/2023

Check your eldery parents, grandparents, relatives and neighbours feet. Feet are often neglected and may cause pain or other serious problems.
A lot of times, people are embarrassed or simply don't know that there is help.
Talk about foot problems and encourage them to visit a specialist for a routine check-up once every few weeks.
It is not talked enough about how important foot health is and how in some serious cases, a person can lose a limb or, even worse, lose a life.

Take care of each other 👣

25/10/2023

17/08/2023

Chemical burn after using a corn plaster. Can only imagine how painful that is 🫣
Please, STOP using corn plasters! They should be illegal 🫠

11/06/2023

A Must Have Foot Care Products in every house:

1. Foot & pumice stone
Use them every shower and you will slow down the callus build up. It is to keep your feet smooth between you pedicure visits to your Foot Health Specialist.

2. Foot
Cream should be applied once or twice every day. There is diferant creams for diferant foot conditions like: antifungal, sweat control, regeneration etc. Get from your Foot Health Specialist what would suit your feet the best.
My all time favourite- cream that contains UREA as it has true power or hydration.

3. Foot Spray
Spray will help to protect your feet from developing fungal infections, also will prevent unpleasant smell and sweating. It can be use on your feet, socks, in your shoes, before going swimming in the public pool or using any other public area. Use once or twice a day.

Keep your healthy!

29/05/2023

☆ wash your hands/ feet.
☆ use a pump dispenser or a clean spoon to scoop out enough emollient (not your fingers).
☆ apply emollient downwards in the direction of hair growth and smooth it on your skin in a thin layer. Don’t rub it in! Wait for it to soak in, thick emollients may take up to 10 minutes. Try to do this at least twice a day, even more often if your skin is really dry.

09/05/2023

Most common condition that cause heel pain today is plantars fasciitis.

The plantar fascia is a long ligament that is found plantarly in the foot. It connects the heel to the toes. Plantar fascia forms longitudinal foot arch and supports it during gait cycle.

Plantar fasciitis is inflamation of the ligament that starts after straining the plantar fascia.

You are more likely to get plantar fasciitis if:
• recently started exercising on hard surfaces
• exercise with a tight calf or heel
• overstretch the sole of your foot during exercise
• recently started doing a lot more walking, running or standing up
• wear shoes with poor cushioning or support
• are overweight

Treatment of plantar fasciitis include
• rest and raise the foot
• put ice pack
• wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole
• use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes
• regular stretching exercises
• exercise that do not put pressure on your feet
• take paracetamol
• taping

DO NOT
• walk or stand for long period of time
• wear high heel or tight shoes
• wear flip-flops or backless slippers
• walk barefoot on hard surfaces

#

02/05/2023

An example of what happens to the second toe when it is affected by Hallux Valgus (bunion) & small shoe toe box.

The big toe turned invards & forced the second toe to bend, by taking it's space.Small toe box contributed to this situation by not having enough space for toes to spread apart. Overtime the second toe got stiff in this position & when walking the tip of it started rubbing against the shoe sole. Constant friction caused callus and corn.

Small and tight shoes contribute to various foot deformities. Ir is very important to choose right fit shoes to prevent any future problems 👣

19/04/2023

While there’s no set schedule for seeing a foot health specialist, as a general rule of thumb (or should that be toe?!), you should see your foot health specialist for any issues concerning the feet and lower limbs.
My advice ☆
It is good to have routine appointments scheduled for simple work as a nail cut and file, hard or dry skin removal, corns, once every 6 to 12 weeks. This will ensure your feet are in the best posible condition.
For patients with chronic foot conditions it is important to check their feet regularly depending on their risk level, which can be determined on the first visit with your foot care specialist.