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Put Your Best Foot Forward on Your Yoga Mat!

To have your best foot forward here are some quick and effective toenail solutions according to dermatologytimes.com

Simple fix for hang nails: They are mostly due to dry nails. A prevention is keeping skin moisturized. If already has occurred, then trim the nail as close to the skin as possible, and nightly moisturize with a glycerin based ointment.

Vinegar, a single drop under the nail on nails not infected with a fungus will help prevent any fungal spread. Be sure to use if one nail is getting treated so others don’t get infected.

Sometimes dull nails just respond to a good washing with soap and a nail brush. If that doesn’t work use Lemon juice from one lemon and 2 teaspoons of olive oil as a lightening mixture.

Toe nails too thick to cut? Soft pumice stone to thin the tip after soaking should work for most cases. But if still too thick this will require a visit to a podiatrist, but there are topical applications of a salicylic acid that can work after two weeks of nightly application to soften the nail up to where it’s treatable.

Thick skin around the toe nails can be treated with over the counter urea based creams. Appling nightly the urea cream will make that thick skin so workable it’ s top softened layer can just be wiped away with a finger!

Ridges on the toe nails are often due to poorly fitting shoes. Identify the issue and cushion so the contour of the shoe doesn’t let your foot wiggle, often it just means a heel insert!

Shoes are also the culprit in most cases of ingrown toe nails. A small pea size piece or smaller of cotton can be pushed under the nail to elevate it over any trapped skin to relieve pressure, and then correct the cause.

Cracked nails can be fixed with a drop of glue and a patch of a small piece of tea bag, takes a bit of creativity!

And don’t forget that veggies, supplements, and some basic nail care all helps to keep that best foot forward!

Namaste!

whphealth

Suzanne Trupin, MD, Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and owner of Women's Health Practice, Hada Cosmetic Medicine, and Hatha Yoga and Fitness

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