Why You Need Shower Shoes at The Gym
Southern Hospitality answers why you should NEVER walk barefoot in public showers at the gym. Special thanks to SELF!
http://www.self.com/story/plantar-wart-gym-showers
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
6 At-Home Tips for Freshening up Your Runner’s Feet for the Summer Season
Calling all runners! Southern Hospitality gives 6 at-home tips to get your feet fresh for summer! Source: Jenny McCoy for Runner's World.
Putting your best FEET forward,
Southern Hospitality
Daily Aha!
Special thanks to YouBeauty for allowing us to contribute to their Daily Aha!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Pssst! Your Epidermis is Showing (Winter Edition)
Coat...check! Hat and gloves...check! Scarf...check! But did you grab your sunscreen? That's right! See why applying sunscreen is a must, even when it's cold outside.
Apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. Even when temps turn frigid, sun rays are still strong enough to be harmful against your skin. That's why it's always best to apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. The combination of cool weather and high altitudes can put you at an even greater risk for sun damaged skin by greater than 10%. In this case, you should look for sunscreen with a SPF of 30.
Make sure all exposed skin is exposed. Even as you bundle up in layers and layers to stay warm, chances are there is still one part of your body that is still exposed...your face! Make sure to cover your face- and any other exposed skin- before braving the sun and the cold. Remember, it takes 15 minutes for your skin to fully absorb sunscreen and it should be applied at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, for maximum protection.
Reapply. Be sure to always reapply your sunscreen every 1-2 hours. Excessive sweating or engaging in outdoor activities may require more frequent applications.
Lastly, be sure that your sunscreen of choice is marked "broad spectrum" and "water resistant." Also, inspect your skin regularly for any potential changes, such as moles and lesions. If you suspect any changes, report to your physician immediately
Learn more about the importance of sunscreen HERE!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Dx Beach Feet: 4 Ways to Heal Your Summer Heels
Summertime fun means sporting sandals or- in many cases- going barefoot, that exposes your feet to the harsh elements of the season. Check out these 4 tips that are just what the doctor ordered to heal your summer heels!
Wash
It’s just not enough to let the water and suds trickle down to your feet when showering and claim that they are clean. A barefoot day at the beach or a simple saunter in your favorite flip-flops can expose your feet to all sorts of yuck-n-muck. The solution? Take care to give your feet a thorough washing DAILY (that means rubbin’ and scrubbin’). Foot washing is like hand washing and should be done routinely. It is also a great idea to soak your feet with warm water and Epsom salt. Soaking your feet provides a one-two punch of deodorizing and drawing out toxins to keep them funk-free!
Inspect
Bacteria, Virus, and Fungus….oh my! Your feet can become infected with any of these “beauties” with any cuts or openings of the skin. Whether you have the displeasure of stepping on rocks, shells, or any foreign object openings of the skin can be dangerous- large and small. That’s why it is essential to regularly inspect your feet for any open wounds or lesions that may be present. Warts can indicate viruses (such as HPV), while redness, swelling, and/or itching can be signs of bacterial (E. coli) or fungal (Athlete’s foot) infections.
Exfoliate
Unforgiving surfaces such as hot sand and pavement can lead to a load of calluses on the feet. To transition your feet from rough to smooth, exfoliate the callused areas. Be careful to ALWAYS exfoliate WET skin- preferably when showering or soaking. Tools, such as pumice stones or foot files are most aggressive, but scrubs can also do the trick.
Moisturize
Once you remove the skin you don’t want, you always want to show a lil love to the skin you do want. And nothing says T-L-C like a rich moisturizer. A daily slather of moisturizer to clean feet smoothes the skin and provides nutrients to make your feet very supple. It’s the perfect finish to healing those summer heels!
Oh!...and as always, if you’re going to continue to be out in the sun… DON’T forget the sunscreen!!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Get Sporty
Getting a leg-up on some of your favorite outdoor activities often means finding the right shoes for the task-at-hand (err foot!). Check out these features to keep in mind when spotting the right shoes to get sporty!
Walking:
Whether you’re an avid walker or just in-need of a solid athletic shoe, this style is for you! You want a walking shoe that is lightweight allowing easy, comfortable mobility. Cushioning and shock absorption should be sufficient, but not be overly rigid. Instead, the sole should have flexibility and a rounded bottom, enabling a fluid motion for heel striking and toeing off, when walking.
Running:
Running can expose your feet to forces up to 3 times your body weight. Look for a running shoe that has ample shock absorption. This protects your feet from taking a beating when pounding the pavement over time. Running is a higher impact activity than walking, so it is a good idea for your running shoe to have a rigid sole (NOT flexible). The rigid sole should ONLY bend at the ball of the foot.
Hard Surface Activities:
Hard surface activities can mean murderous wear-n-tear not only to your feet BUT to your shoes, as well! That’s because these activities- such as basketball and tennis-involve lateral movements, abrupt stopping, and running. A quality basketball shoe should have thick shock absorption and a rigid sole to offload impact from running and jumping. It is recommended that basketball shoes are high-tops to provide added stability with lateral movement. High-tops are also believed to aid in ankle stability, but do not completely eliminate the risk of ankle sprains/injuries. Tennis shoes should have a thicker sole that is rigid and is only flexible at the ball of the foot for stability and repetitive movements. A sole with more tread is also good to keep in mind for added traction with abrupt stops.
Cross-Trainer:
Like to indulge in a variety of outdoor activities? Then a cross-training shoe might be the way to go. Viewed as a hybrid athletic shoe, this style combines features form various specialty shoes to accommodate the jack (or jill)-of-all-trades.
Want more information on finding the right “kicks” for the right activity? Check out our series Soul Searching: 8 Tips to Finding Your Perfect of Athletic Shoes!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Sandal Season Survival Series TIP #2: Pssst! Your Epidermis Is Showing
Wanna REALLY get sandal season into full swing?...Then sunscreen is an absolute must-have to keep in your arsenal to survive the summer safely. The face, back, arms and legs are all the craze when it comes to applying sunscreen, but it’s also a very good idea to slather the tootsies to protect them from the harmful sun rays. To protect your feet from the sun:
• Apply sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30. You want to lookout for sunscreens that are labeled “water-resistant” and “broad spectrum” that hold up against water exposure and protect you from both UVB (contributes to melanoma) and UVA (causes skin damage) rays.
• Sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes prior to going outdoors. It takes approximately 15 minutes for your skin to fully absorb the sunscreen you apply. If you wait until you are outside to apply, you run the harmful risk of your skin becoming scorched by the sun.
• Make sure ALL exposed skin is protected. Wearing sandals means your feet are largely uncovered. That makes your feet very susceptible to sun’s harmful rays. Take care to apply sunscreen to the tops & soles of the feet. Don’t forget between the toes! It is a common hideout spot for melanoma of the feet that should NEVER go unnoticed! With creams you always want to be careful when applying between the toes however. Do not place too much cream in between the toes to prevent any macerations (breakdown) of the skin.
• Reapply! Just because you applied sunscreen before going outdoors does not mean you’re fully protected. You should always reapply sunscreen every 1-2 hours while frolicking in the sun. Certain factors such as water exposure, excessive sweating, and individuals with reduced skin pigmentation may require more frequent reapplications.
No matter if it’s the summertime or any other time of the year, ALWAYS inspect your skin for any potential changes, paying very close attention to any moles or lesions that may be present. If you suspect any changes in your skin, report to your physician immediately!
Tip #3 on the way…
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Turf War
FOOT FACT:
The Seattle Seahawks get set to battle the Denver Broncos at Super bowl XLVIII. But, that may not be the only nemesis that these two teams may be squaring off against this Sunday. Turf toe is a common condition that has slowed the play- and even ended the careers- of many football players. Its name stems from the synthetic “turf” that is commonly played-on by many athletes (most notably, football players). The injury occurs when the player’s cleat becomes firmly planted into the turf as their big toe joint becomes hyperextended (Seen below).
(Figure 1)
As a result, the big toe joint becomes sprained, causing damage to the muscles, ligaments, joint capsule, and bones surrounding the joint.
(Figure 2)
Players often complain of tenderness and swelling around the joint and serious pain with range of motion.
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
