Tuesday, April 30, 2024
10 DIY Spa Ideas To Promote Self Care
Saturday, April 27, 2024
The Easiest Marble Nail Art For Summer
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
7 Tips To Improve Circulation in the Foot
Poor circulation in the feet can be uncomfortable and make life more challenging for those afflicted. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can battle poor circulation in your feet and get yourself feeling better and healthier.
Poor circulation has many causes, including excess plaque, blood clotting, or constricted blood vessels. You may need to see a professional if you have any concerns about the poor circulation in your feet. Some medications may be able to help with poor circulation.
Get Proper Exercise
Moving your body is one of the easiest and fastest ways to ensure that your feet get better circulation. The muscular system gets maintained through regular exercise, and without proper and consistent movement, muscles won’t get the amount of oxygen needed for them to be strong.
Even a small amount of daily exercise can help improve circulation in your feet. Try doing mild aerobic exercise for 15 minutes daily to help prevent poor circulation and keep your feet in the best health.
Exercise can also help maintain proper health in other ways, including preventing cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and obesity. Only half an hour three to four times a week can give you plenty of health benefits without taking up too much time.
Use Compression Socks
Athletes use compression wear to help keep their bodies healthy during and after exercise. There are plenty of benefits of compression wear, especially socks, but the most advantageous reason to wear compression socks is to prevent deep venous thrombosis.
Compression socks can also prevent deep soreness and boost recovery after intense exercise. Although the benefits of compression socks are most notable for athletes, these benefits are still apparent in those who don’t exercise as much.
Compression wear is good for overall circulation and helps reduce the pain you may feel from swollen feet or feet with poor circulation. Wear compression socks for the day and remove them during your sleep cycle for the best results.
Massage Foot Tissue
Give your feet nightly massages to help prevent poor circulation. You walk on your feet every day, and those with poor circulation may find their feet getting swollen or turning red or purple. Gently massaging your feet every night before bed can help prevent plaque buildup and other factors contributing to poor circulation.
Consider using a massaging tool to help you achieve a foot massage without exhausting yourself.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Adopt a healthy diet to help prevent poor circulation. Artificial ingredients and foods can hurt you. Excess sugars and other aspects of a poor diet can impact your body’s circulation and make it challenging to battle.
However, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can combat poor circulation. Pomegranates, onions, and dark leafy greens are some of the best foods to battle poor circulation and keep your body in good health.
Choose foods abundant in vitamin B to reduce inflammation and boost the ability of your blood vessels to function.
Keep Legs Elevated
Sometimes, gravity can help you battle inflammation and poor circulation. After a long day, lean back and elevate your legs on an ottoman or pillow. Pairing this elevation with a gentle foot massage can help improve your circulation.
Keep your legs above heart level, if possible. Elevating your legs is best when you have enough space to lean back and lay down. Use pillows or blankets to prop your legs and keep your feet high.
Keep your feet elevated for up to 30 minutes every night to help improve circulation and help your body heal from any strenuous exercise or movement from work. Additionally, you can add an ice pack to the soles of your feet to help boost healing and prevent swelling.
Monitor Your Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure can indicate something wrong, such as poor circulation. Blood pressure is the measurement that tells you how much pressure your blood pushes against your arteries as your heart continues to beat. Too high, and you may experience light-headedness, fainting spells, and anxiety.
If you feel stressed or have poor circulation, your blood pressure may be high and lead to negative outcomes. Keeping a healthy blood pressure can be simple and is done through maintaining a healthy diet and daily exercise.
Your blood pressure should be lower than 120/80. Monitor your blood pressure weekly if you don’t have a history of high blood pressure. Record your blood pressure daily if you have a history of high blood pressure, and bring your log to your primary care physician.
Manage Stress
Stress is difficult to manage and has some of the worst impacts on the human body. Stress can cause cardiovascular distress, diabetes, and skin conditions. Along with hive outbreaks and rashes, it can spark asthma attacks and cause depressive and anxious symptoms.
Stress is sometimes responsible for high blood pressure, which can negatively impact your body’s circulation. Overall, stress can be the culprit behind many poor health conditions and make it harder for you to attain good health.
Managing stress can be a tough process, but it can be done with a combination of prescription medications and therapy services. Seek help from a professional counselor and a doctor to form a healthcare plan that works to manage the stress in your life.
Poor circulation can be a scary part of your health, but there are plenty of things you can do to ensure that the circulation in your feet is improved. Whether it’s getting proper exercise, keeping your legs elevated, or giving yourself a foot massage daily, there is something that can help you make sure that the circulation in your feet sees improvement.
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Ingrown Toenail
If you trim your toenails too short, particularly on the sides of your big toes, you may set the stage for an ingrown toenail. Like many people, when you trim your toenails, you may taper the corners so that the nail curves with the shape of your toe. But this technique may encourage your toenail to grow into the skin of your toe. The sides of the nail curl down and dig into your skin. An ingrown toenail may also happen if you wear shoes that are too tight or too short.
Symptoms
When you first have an ingrown toenail, it may be hard, swollen and tender. Later, it may get red and infected, and feel very sore. Ingrown toenails are a common, painful condition—particularly among teenagers. Any of your toenails can become ingrown, but the problem more often affects the big toe. An ingrown nail occurs when the skin on one or both sides of a nail grows over the edges of the nail, or when the nail itself grows into the skin. Redness, pain and swelling at the corner of the nail may result and infection may soon follow. Sometimes a small amount of pus can be seen draining from the area.
Ingrown nails may develop for many reasons. Some cases are congenital—the nail is just too large for the toe. Trauma, such as stubbing the toe or having the toe stepped on, may also cause an ingrown nail. However, the most common cause is tight shoe wear or improper grooming and trimming of the nail.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Ingrown toenails should be treated as soon as they are recognized. If they are recognized early (before infection sets in), home care may prevent the need for further treatment:
- Soak the foot in warm water 3-4 times daily.
- Keep the foot dry during the rest of the day.
- Wear comfortable shoes with adequate room for the toes. Consider wearing sandals until the condition clears up.
- You may take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief.
- If there is no improvement in 2-3 days, or if the condition worsens, call your doctor.
- You may need to gently lift the edge of the ingrown toenail from its embedded position and insert some cotton or waxed dental floss between the nail and your skin. Change this packing every day.
Unless the problem is congenital, the best way to prevent ingrown toenails is to protect the feet from trauma and to wear shoes and hosiery (socks) with adequate room for the toes. Nails should be cut straight across with a clean, sharp nail trimmer without tapering or rounding the corners. Trim the nails no shorter than the edge of the toe. Keep the feet clean and dry at all times.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Is There A Specific Type Of Collagen That Is Best For Nails?
Nails are one of the most important parts of the body. Some women, in particular, are vain about their nails, and it is essential to their overall beauty. Smooth, long nails convey health along with great hair and skin. Beautiful, well-manicured nails make a woman doubly attractive. Aside from putting on cuticle hardeners and nail polish, how does one get strong, beautiful nails naturally? Collagen is the essence that makes nails naturally strong and healthy. Collagen can take your nails from weak and brittle to sexy, strong, and sharp.
The following reveals how specific types of collagen can help nails become strong:
Collagen is a type of protein
Collagen can be found in gelatin and is there to help improve the health of the hair skin and nails. However, there are different collagen types with its own specific purpose, and different combinations of them each makes its own specific effects on the body. There is collagen that is better taken together and better taken apart for full efficacy. Collagen is the most plentiful material in the body. It makes up parts of the body and is second in abundance only to water
Collagen types have different purposes
Different collagen has different proteins that serve a specific purpose in the body. Collagen that is classified under type 1 and 3 can be taken together and is the collagen responsible for nail growth and maintenance. Collagen 2 type cartilage, on the other hand, should be taken apart from collagen 1 and 3 to ensure its adequate absorption. Collagen 2 is responsible for the fluids and function in the knees and joints.
Amino Acids and Collagen
There are over 19 amino acids present in Collagen Types 1 and 3. Each amino acid is essential to the function and maintenance of the body. These are produced by fibroblasts and osteoblasts. A huge percentage of the collagen in the body is type 1 and 3 collagen.
Collagen Peptides
Collagen is becoming a forerunner in beauty and health, and more people are diving into the wonders that collagen can do for their appearance. There are many different types of collagen, and this collagen is usually based on the area of the body from which the collagen is sourced.
The most common collagen is types 1, 2, and 3. These three collagen types are often found in supplements. These proteins can be absorbed in the body if you take bone-infused foods, such as eating cartilage off the bone, consuming fishbone, eating organ meats, or drinking bone broth. However, a good way to get your collagen supply is by taking in a whole food collagen supplement.
Type 1 Collagen
The most numerous collagen type in the body is the collagen type 1, and if you are thinking of preserving the beauty of your skin hair or nails, look for the collagen 1 type. Collagen 1 is prevalent in connective tissues, and a decrease of it can cause sagging skin, fine lines, brittle nails, and thinning hair. Collagen 1 isn’t just for beauty though it is also vital for tendons, organs, and bones. Collagen 1 tends to decline after age 25, so it should be a vital component in your diet if you want to maintain health and wellness as you age.
The effects of Type 1 and 3 Collagen on the body:
- Diminishes fine lines on the face
- Minimizes wrinkles
- Promotes elasticity in the skin
- Supports the health of bones
- Heals weakened and cracked nail beds
- Thickens fine hair and slows down hair loss
- Improves circulation in the body
- Promotes glycine production and build lean muscle and burns fat while sleeping
- Increase skin hydration
- Increase skin suppleness
- Decrease micro furrows
Why Supplement with Collagen?
Collagen drops by age 25 and collagen fibers tend to break down and no longer regenerate after reaching a certain age. Research indicates that collage production is vastly reduced by age 40 and thereafter decreases by age 60. The supply of naturally occurring collagen in the body cannot meet the demands. It is possible to get collagen through the diet, but some may find eating meat products unappealing, and thus they may fail to get what their body requires. Getting supplements through fish is viable though . To answer the question of what is marine collagen: it is collagen sourced in fish and turned into supplement form. Obtaining collagen through supplements is the best way to get a collagen-rich diet, especially if you want to bring back the beauty of your skin, hair, and nails.
Collagen is essential for a beautiful appearance. A good appearance is suggestive of good health, and collagen works not only for the parts you cherish but also parts of the body that needs to function well, such as bones, tendons, and muscles. Great nails are indicative that you have a good collagen supply in your body, and you have good overall health as well in other parts of your body. So if you’re looking for a specific type of collagen that is best for nails, then Type 1 Collagen is your best bet!
Monday, April 15, 2024
5 Ways To Do A French Tip
Here is a video of 5 different ways you can apply a french tip to your nails!
Friday, April 12, 2024
What Is A Hangnail And How Do You Prevent Them Altogether
Long, short, oval or stiletto, like your hands, your fingernails can tell people a lot about who you are and what you do with them. They can give others clues into your unique personality and even any dirty little habits you may keep like biting or picking at your nails and skin.
Nail biting and picking at your nails and cuticles, the soft nail bed surrounding it, can be a costly habit that can lead to small pieces of torn skin at the root of your fingernails—and yes, sometimes even your toenails.
The small pieces of skin that form are called hangnails. Although its name implies that you have a piece of nail hanging off, this is a misnomer. A hangnail is actually a piece of cuticle skin. While these can be a nuisance from time to time, hangnails can also lead to an infection called paronychia.
“Paronychia is inflammation that involves the tissue (skin) on the side or at the base of the fingernail,” said Samia Kadri, a Banner Health family nurse practitioner. “It’s common for hangnails to become infected due to the bacteria and germs our hands come in contact with daily.”
What causes hangnails?
Hangnails are a sign that the skin around your fingernails is lacking oil. Anything that causes dry skin, like frequently washing your hands (which we should always do!), dry, winter weather and harsh chemicals, like hand sanitizer or cleaning products, can deplete oil in your skin and contribute to hangnail growth.
“Manicuring or cutting the nail too short, nail biting and picking at or cutting your cuticle can also lead to hangnails and infections,” Kadri said. “This causes a weaker nail bed, which triggers hangnail growth.”
If you suck your thumb, are prone to ingrown nails, have diabetes or are immunocompromised, you may also be at risk for developing hangnails.
How can I prevent hangnails?
Now that you know the causes and how to treat a hangnail, let’s talk about how you can avoid them altogether.
Here are some tips:
- Resist the urge to pick at your cuticles and bite your nails.
- Don’t cut your cuticles, even when you have them cut by a nail tech. Instead, soak the cuticles with warm water and gently push them back with a tool designed for this purpose.
- Moisturize your hands and cuticles daily.
- Avoid using harsh soaps and chemicals like acetone.
- Wear gloves when house cleaning, washing dishes and gardening.
- Put on gloves when going outside in cold weather.
- Drink lots of water and eat a well-balanced diet.
Hangnails can be a real pain, but they can also be prevented by keeping your skin moisturized and making simple lifestyle changes.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Self-Care Tips to Soothe Aching Feet at Home
- Foot structure: Flat feet, high arches, or arthritis (painful joints that don't move easily)
- Injury: Strains, sprains, and other kinds of damage
- Obesity: Strain on ligaments, muscles, and joints from being overweight
- Overuse: Too much walking or standing, especially on hard surfaces1
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes that make ligaments loose and stretchy
- Poorly fitting shoes: Footwear that is too loose, too tight, or too narrow for your feet2
8 Ways to Soothe Foot Pain
Besides kicking back and giving your feet a rest, here are some remedies that can help ease the ache of tired feet:
Use Moist Heat
One of the best remedies for relaxing sore muscles is a foot bath.3 Soak your feet in a basin of warm water or a foot spa for five to 10 minutes.
Adding Epsom salts to the water can be extra relaxing. You can find Epsom salts in the first aid or foot care section of drug stores and big box retailers. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons into a gallon of warm water. If your feet are swollen, hot, or tired, use cool water instead of warm. Afterward, elevate your feet for a half hour or more.
Stretch Your Feet
Stressed muscles may contract or spasm. To relieve this tightness, stretch your feet. A good time to stretch is after a warm soak, when your muscles are relaxed. Sit in a comfortable position. Gently roll your ankles and toes in circles. You can use your hands or an exercise band to stretch tight places on your feet and ankles.
To include your calf muscles, try a runner's stretch. Stand several feet away from a wall or counter. Lean forward, placing your hands against the wall. You should feel a good stretch along the back sides of your legs. Do each stretch for 10 to 20 seconds for the best results.
Give Your Feet a Workout
Exercises will help strengthen your ankles, feet, and toes.
Try these moves:
- Pick up objects with your toes and move them from one pile to another.
- Rise up on your toes, lifting your heels off the ground.
- Do ankle pumps, moving your foot up and down.
- Roll the bottom of your foot on a frozen water bottle, a tennis ball, or a golf ball.
- A bunion, hammertoe, or other condition has changed your foot shape
- A neuroma has formed around a nerve, causing you pain
- You've started a new type of exercise
- Your foot size has changed as you've grown older
- Sandals with too little support are causing foot fatigue
- You're on your feet more than you used to be
Trim Calluses and Corns
The hard, dry skin of calluses and corns can put pressure on the bottom of your foot. Your feet may crack, bleed, or become infected.
First, soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes. Dry them and use a pumice stone or emery board on the hard spots. Apply moisturizing lotion or cream. Then put on socks to seal in the added hydration.
Consider Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice. There is some evidence that acupuncture helps with foot pain, though more research is needed to confirm the benefits. This is a more holistic approach to mend your pain.
Foot soreness can be caused by your shoes, your foot's structure, a health condition, or your daily activities. You may be able to ease foot pain with warm foot soaks, massage, stretches, or acupuncture. If your shoes are part of the problem, you may want to work with a professional to make sure the style, size, and support are right for you.
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Every Method of Nail Polish Removal (19 Methods)
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
What Are Corns On Feet?
Corns on the feet are bumps that consist of thick, hardened layers of skin. They tend to form on bony areas of the feet, especially on the tops and sides of toes. Some foot corns have a hard center, also called a core. The bumps are typically round and relatively small. Friction and pressure on the feet are the most common causes of corns. Wearing shoes that slip and rub against the skin on the feet can result in a corn. Shoes that squeeze the feet can also cause corns.
There are three different types of corns:
- Hard corns are the most common type of foot corn. As the name suggests, hard corns feel hard to the touch. They form most often on the tops of toes.
- Soft corns are pliable and soft to the touch. They usually form between toes.
- Seed corns are very small and typically form on the soles of feet.
Contrary to popular belief, corns are not the same thing as calluses although the two are often confused. While both corns and calluses form because of friction and pressure, and both consist of hardened skin, there are some key differences.
- Calluses are more common on the soles of the feet while corns are more common on the tops and sides of the toes.
- Calluses tend to be large, covering a significant area of the sole of the foot. Corns, on the other hand, tend to be small.
- Corns are often painful to the touch while calluses aren’t usually tender or sensitive.
- There’s often inflammation on or around a corn while calluses don’t usually become inflamed.