5 Ways to Boost Your Circulation in Your Hands and Feet

As you age, you may have decreased blood circulation to your feet or hands. It is important to maintain healthy circulation. To help promote healthy circulation in your feet and hands here are a few tips...

1. Keep your legs elevated 

Try to prop up your feet at least slightly higher than your hips when you’re sitting down. This means gravity makes it easier for the blood in your legs to travel back up to your heart. 

If you often find yourself nodding off when sitting upright in a chair, try to lie down in your bed instead if you’re feeling tired.  

This will stop blood pooling in your legs as you sleep. 

2. Stay active 

Whether it’s walking, swimming or gardening, any form of exercise can help to get your blood pumping. 

The NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week. This is exercise that makes you feel warm and breathe a bit faster, but you can still have a conversation. 

Stretching your body can also help to improve your circulation.  

You could try wriggling your toes or rotating your ankles if you have been sitting down for a long time.  

Yoga is a great way to improve blood flow too. 

3. Drink more water 

Around half of your blood is made of water, so staying hydrated is key. 

If you’re not drinking enough fluid, you will have less blood in your body, and your blood may also become thicker. 

To keep things moving, the UK Government’s Eatwell Guide recommends drinking six to eight glasses of water or fluids a day. 

But if you have heart failure, check with your doctor, as you may need to drink less than this to stop fluid building up in your body. 

4. Eat a healthy diet 

If you’re living with excess weight, your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body, as your body is larger. 

You're also at a higher risk of fatty plaques building up in the walls of your arteries. 

As well as regular exercise, changing your diet can help you lose weight. 

Swap meals high in saturated fats for a Mediterranean diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, oily fish and wholegrains. 

5. Wear compression stockings

Speak to your doctor if you’re thinking about using compression stockings to improve your circulation.

These tight socks squeeze your legs to keep blood moving back up to your heart and reduce swelling.

However, they may irritate your skin or cause pain if you do not have the right size, so make sure to get medical advice before you start wearing them.

4 Things To Avoid If You Have Poor Circulation

1. Direct heat on hands and feet

If your hands and feet feel cold, you may be tempted to warm them with a hot water bottler or a portable heater.

But if your hands and feet are numb, you might not notice if they get too hot. This could cause you to burn or injure your skin.

Instead, wear gloves and socks to keep yourself warm and cosy. 

If you’re getting into a bath to warm yourself up, make sure it’s not too hot, and get in slowly.

2. Dry brushing

Some people claim using a dry, stiff-bristled brush on their skin can improve circulation.

However, while it could temporarily increase blood flow to certain areas in theory, there’s no scientific evidence that dry brushing boosts circulation over time.

In fact, there have not been any clinical trials or studies on the benefits of dry brushing.

It can also irritate or damage your skin, particularly if it’s fragile due to poor blood flow.

3. Wearing tight clothing

While the right pair of compression stockings may improve circulation, wearing tight trousers or shoes can have the opposite effect.

Clothing that puts pressure on certain areas of your body can restrict blood flow. 

Instead, try to wear loose, comfortable clothes and correctly fitting footwear.

4. Smoking

Cigarettes contain chemicals that damage your blood vessels.

This can increase the risk of fatty materials building up on the walls of your arteries and make it harder for your blood to flow around your body.

This can lead to pain and skin ulcers in your legs and feet, because your blood is not delivering the oxygen and nutrients they need. But you can greatly reduce your risk by quitting smoking.

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Healthy Feet Can Reduce Risk of Falling

Among older Americans, falls are the number one cause of injuries and death from injury, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not only are seniors more at risk for falls, when they do fall, it poses a greater risk for injuries, hospitalization and complications. For a ground-up approach to fall prevention, seniors should start by examining the health of their feet.

Painful foot conditions, such as osteoarthritis, corns, bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, high arches and diabetes complications, can make it difficult for seniors to maintain balance and coordination when walking or standing. Also, the very exercises intended to correct risk factors for falls, such as lower-body weakness, as well as gait and balance problems, are difficult to perform when one suffers from painful foot and ankle conditions.

While the factors causing falls are numerous, seniors can take the following steps to reduce their risk by minimizing or eliminating foot pain. Doing so will improve balance, coordination and stability when walking or standing.

1. Do not ignore pain. Foot pain is not just a normal consequence of growing older. It is likely a treatable condition. For proper diagnosis and treatment, be sure to pay attention to your feet 
2. Examine your feet. As the gatekeeper of your own health, make sure you examine your feet regularly. At the first sign of bumps, lumps or other changes in your feet
3. Exercise. Simple stretching exercises can help you maintain strength and mobility in your feet and ankles, as well as provide pain relief. We can help you determine which exercises are appropriate for you.
4. Protect. Use padding, insoles or whatever special footwear you are prescribed. Be sure to wear these, along with comfortable, sensible shoes, every day.
5. Be flexible. At times, surgery is the most appropriate treatment for a given condition. Fortunately, many simple surgical techniques allow foot surgery to be performed on an outpatient basis. Just one fall can rob seniors of their independence and can dramatically reduce their quality of life.

Staying consistent with pedicure services can help aid in reduction of injury as well. Book your appointment today!

The Role of Footwear in Preventing Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails can be a real pain in the foot. Not only can they make walking painful, but the pain can be severe enough to limit your mobility. The good news is that you may be able to prevent and relieve ingrown nails by wearing the right shoes. Various factors can make ingrown toenails a more likely and serious issue. If you regularly suffer from ingrown nails, genetics, lifestyle, and shoes may make your nails more prone to becoming ingrown. Should underlying issues contribute to ingrown nails, it’s crucial to resolve them to prevent issues now and in the future.

Shoes specifically, if they put pressure on your feet and especially your toes, could lead to the nail growing improperly. This is especially true if you spend a lot of time in said pair of shoes. The longer and more consistently the toes come under pressure, the more serious and common the ingrown nails may be. So, you’ll want to pay especially close attention to your work or daily shoes.

A pair of high heels or dress shoes that you wear for only a few hours here and there may not be as pressing of a concern, at least as far as ingrown nails. That said, poorly fitting shoes can aggravate any ingrown nails you currently suffer. Even short stints could also make ingrown nails more common as well.

Nails grow pretty much constantly. Ideally, the growth is healthy and doesn’t cut into your skin. However, if shoes pressure the toenails, it can interfere with and direct the growth into the skin or flesh of your foot. Once the nail grows into other tissue, it can trigger nerves, cut tissues, and cause other problems.

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How to Prevent Dry Hands in Winter Time

Dry hands in winter are more than just an inconvenience. The constant itchiness, discomfort, and cracking can affect daily activities and overall well-being. Fortunately, with proper care, it is possible to maintain soft and healthy skin throughout the season.

Winter air tends to lack humidity, pulling moisture from the skin. Combined with indoor heating systems and frequent handwashing, this creates the perfect storm for dryness.

• Cold, Dry Air: Exposure to freezing temperatures and wind strips natural oils from the skin.
• Frequent Handwashing: While essential for hygiene, it can disrupt the skin’s natural moisture barrier.. 

Prolonged neglect can lead to winter eczema on hands, characterized by red, itchy patches that require careful attention. 

Common Causes of Dry Hands

Understanding the causes can help in addressing the issue effectively:

Environmental Factors:

• Cold weather and low humidity levels.
• Harsh winds that deplete skin moisture.

Lifestyle Habits:

• Using soaps with harsh chemicals.
• Not moisturizing regularly, especially after handwashing.

Underlying Conditions:

• Winter eczema on hands can exacerbate symptoms.
• Sensitivities to detergents or cleaning products.

Practical Tips to Prevent Dry Hands

Combat dryness with these effective strategies:

• Hydrate Your Skin: Apply the best hand cream for cracked hands regularly. Look for products with ingredients like shea butter or glycerin.
• Protect with Gloves: Wear insulated gloves when outside and rubber gloves while washing dishes.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps maintain overall skin health.
• Gentle Cleansing: Use mild, fragrance-free soaps to avoid stripping oils.

For those experiencing severe symptoms, consider home remedies for severely dry, cracked hands such as:

• Overnight treatments with petroleum jelly under cotton gloves.
• DIY masks using honey and olive oil for natural hydration.

Taking care of your hands during winter is essential for comfort and overall well-being. Understanding the causes of dryness and implementing preventive measures will help you keep your skin soft and healthy throughout the colder months. Source

Booking manicures and pedicures on a regular basis will help with keeping moisture in both hands and feet all winter long.

How Older Adults Can Manage Brittle Nails

Nails change with age, whether they develop a thickened, yellow appearance, become more vulnerable to fungal infections or thin and flake off. While brittle nails can affect anyone, older adults are more susceptible to this condition characterized by splitting, peeling or visible breakage. Learn why this occurs and what you can do to address the issue.

When Are Nails Brittle?

Nails are made of a protein called keratin that protects your fingers and toes from damage. Nails form and grow out of the base of your finger and a layer of skin protects this area against infections.

Ideally, your nails have a shiny, smooth appearance with white edges and a curved shape. The nail bed, distinct from the cuticle, should appear pink.

Nails are characterized as brittle when:

• The ridge is angled 90 degrees from the fold
• Cracks and dents form on the open edge
• Splitting occurs along the ridges
• Discoloration is present, including a lighter color on top or a dark shade below
• The nail starts to curl
• The keratin feels thin or begins to separate from the skin
• Bleeding or swelling occurs around the nail
• The nail does not grow out from the bed

Causes of Brittle Nails

Brittle nails may occur in response to an underlying health condition or lifestyle factors. Potential causes include:

• Repeatedly washing your hands, which can cause the nails to dry out and break.
• Exposure to household chemicals, including soaps, cleaners and nail polish remover.
• Age, which can affect keratin production and nail growth. These two factors can result in thin fingernails that break easily.
• A nutritional deficiency, with low iron, protein, biotin, calcium, fatty acid and vitamin B levels associated with nail thinning and breakage.
• Regularly filing and manicuring your nails, which can contribute to cracks and splits.
• Hypothyroidism, which may be accompanied by hair loss, fatigue and weight gain.
• Raynaud’s syndrome, which affects circulation and how nutrients reach the extremities, including your nails.
• A fungal infection causing your nails to separate from the bed.
• Psoriasis, which can result in plaques forming under the nails, contribute to discoloration and cause the nail to separate from the bed.
• Damage to the nail bed, which can affect the cells responsible for growth.
• Living in a dry or cold environment.
• Hormonal changes, with menopause potentially causing pale, dull or thinning nails.

How to Preserve Your Nails

To help prevent your nails from splitting and breaking:

• Moisturize your nails, especially after washing your hands or doing the dishes
• Moisturize your hands and feet before you go to sleep
• Protect your hands while doing household chores with a pair of rubber gloves
• Limit using alcohol-based sanitizers, which can dry out your nails
• Put on insulating gloves if you need to head outside into cold, wet weather
• Keep your nails short to limit snagging and breakage
• File the edges in a single direction to keep your nails even and lessen splitting
• Avoid biting your nails or using them as a pick
• Avoid using a nail polish remover containing acetone
• Lessen how often you paint your nails or get acrylics, both of which can wear down the surface of your natural nails
• Start consuming more protein and take a biotin supplement

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How to Avoid the Most Common Causes of Cracked Heels

Cracked heels can occur for a number of reasons, from lacking enough moisture to exposing footwear. If you’ve noticed symptoms such as dry skin thickening around your heels, or have cracked skin or heel pain, then knowing the causes can help you understand the condition, and could prevent further relapses from happening. 

There are several potential causes of cracked heels. Take a look at your routine, and if you identify anything below that may be affecting you, then try altering your current habits. Here are the most common causes of cracked heels:

Lacking moisture – This is the most common cause of cracked heels. The skin underneath your feet is often dry, rough and chapped. This is because the skin around your heels has a relatively small number of sweat glands. If your skin is particularly dry, then cracked skin appears more easily due to there being less elasticity and can be exacerbated by any of the below problems.

Deficiencies – Lack of vitamins, minerals and zinc in your diet can adversely affect your heel health.

Pressure – Spending a long time standing at work or home can stress the skin on your heels.

Aging skin – Thick, dry, scaly skin loses its elasticity with age, and as such cracks can have higher incidence as you become older.

Disorders – Athlete’s foot, psoriasis, eczema, thyroid disease, diabetes and some other skin conditions can be the cause of cracked heels.

Obesity – Being overweight can increase the pressure on the fat pad under the heel. This can cause it to expand sideways and, if the skin lacks flexibility, put pressure on the feet. This leads to cracked heels.

Exposing footwear – Open-back sandals or shoes can allow fat under the heel to expand sideways and increase the possibility of cracks on your heels. Taking care of your feet regularly is important when wearing footwear that exposes your heels.

Hygiene – Failing to keep your feet adequately clean can be a further cause of cracked heels.

Water – Water on your feet can take away natural oils from the skin and can leave the skin rough and/or dry. Standing for prolonged periods in damp areas, such as a bathroom, can cause dry and cracked heels.

Poor fitting shoes – Wearing shoes that do not fit properly can contribute to cracked heels.

Genetics – Naturally dry or thick, dry skin (callus) around the heel could be a genetic cause of cracked heels.

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Who My Services Are Designed For

This Is Who My Services Are Designed For

Not every nail space is for everyone—and that’s okay. This one is intentional.

My services are thoughtfully designed for clients who value:

• Gentle, detailed care

• A quiet, private environment

• Extra attention to nail and foot health

I regularly care for:

• Seniors

• Diabetic clients

• First-time pedicure guests

• Clients with problematic or sensitive feet

• Anyone who simply prefers calm over chaos

You don’t need “perfect” feet to come here. Just feet that deserve respectful, un-rushed care.

If this sounds like you then let's chat! Book your appointment today!

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