Health Tips for November 24

Health Tip: Treating an Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail grows into the skin. It can be quite painful and become infected, so it's important to take prompt care of an ingrown toenail as soon as it's recognized.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions:

• Soak the foot in warm water three or four times each day.
• When not soaking, make sure the foot is clean and dry.
• Wear open-toed sandals or similar while the condition heals. Otherwise, opt for comfortable shoes that don't squeeze the toes.
• Carefully wedge a small piece of clean cotton or waxed dental floss between the skin and the toenail. Be sure to change this packing daily.
• Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• You should start to see improvement within two or three days. If you don't, contact your doctor.

Health Tip: Stretch Your Feet

Little else feels better than a good foot massage or stretch.

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these suggestions for keeping your feet happy and healthy:

• Stretch your arch, either by placing a towel around the ball of your foot and gently pulling with your hands, or by standing in front of a wall and slightly leaning forward until you feel your arches stretch.
• Strengthen toes by placing a toe separator between them and squeezing toes together for five seconds; do it 10 times. Or, wrap toes with a rubber band and spread against the resistance.
• Grab a golf ball or other similar-sized ball, and place it on the floor under your bare feet. Gently roll it around under your feet.
• Stand up on the balls of your feet and hold for five seconds; do this 10 times.
• Stand with feet flat, then one at a time lift your heel from the floor and roll weight into the ball of your with your toes pointing down. Flex your foot, hold, and repeat on each foot.