Hands and Feet

HAND IT OFF!

Nothing will give away your age quicker than the condition of your hands. Let”s take a look at some tips to try and hold off the ravages of time.

Need to cover up age spots? Apply vitamin E oil directly to the spots to fade the discoloration. There is also a product that”s been around since Grandma was a youngster. It”s called porcelana and women have credited it for removing age spots for decades.

If you spend hours at a time on the computer, be sure you use a rest for your wrists. It will help ward off carpal tunnel syndrome.

Your nails. Press on? Glue on? Paint on? Take your pick; there is nothing but choices out there. If you have your acrylic nails done in a nail salon, understand that you do so at your own risk! It seems as though there is a nail salon on every corner in every city in the USA. If the salon you are using does not replace or sanitize their instruments (files, nippers, brushes, etc.) between customers, run, don”t walk for the door. When trying out a new salon, arrive early for your appointment. If you are using a “walk in” shop, make certain you let someone go before you. Sit or stand where you can “catch the action.” Pay close attention to how the nail tech prepares for the new client. Watch carefully to make certain that he/she is skilled in the trade and does not accidentally break the skin especially if they haven”t sanitized their instruments. You”ve got a lot at stake here. With the prevalence of AIDS, hepatitis and other diseases, you can”t be too careful. If you see something that just doesn”t seem right, get up and leave. Try a more “upscale” shop next time.

Do not file the corner of your fingernails. It weakens, causing them to break and crack.

If your fingernails are brittle, it may be the soap you are using or a hand cream that is perfumed. Most perfumed hand creams contain alcohol which will dry the nails, causing them to become brittle.

Are your nails cracked, brittle and breaking? Try drinking more water . . . yep. . . back to the water. At least 8 glasses a day . . .and that”s 8 ounce glasses.

Combat dry and brittle nails by increasing your vitamin A and calcium.

Have a problem hang nails? Try adding more protein to your diet. Throw in some folic acid and vitamin C as well.

If you have white bands across your fingernails, you need more protein.

Splitting nails can be reversed. Add some hydrochloric acid to your diet.

Add more vitamin B12 to your daily vitamin regimen to help fight dryness.

Got white spots on your nails? Try taking zinc.

Do your hands feel like sandpaper? Soften them up with a coating of Vaseline then slip them into inexpensive cotton gloves. Do this just before bed and by the time you wake up in the morning, your hands will be silky smooth.

Yes, they are awkward, but wear rubber gloves while cleaning. Chemicals in the cleaning products are doing a number on your hands.

NOW WHAT ABOUT THOSE FEET:

Did you know . . . an average human being loses almost a cup of liquid a day through their feet? Or that a baby”s foot is made up almost entirely of cartilage? They will harden as the feet grow.

To keep your feet at their best:

Keep a pumice stone handy so you can put it to work on those heels as you step out of the shower.

Use a few drops of essential oil in your next footbath!

Pamper your feet. Treat yourself to a pedicure!

Try a foot massage. It”s relaxing and rejuvenating. Try it on yourself or ask your partner and trade off. Everyone wins!

If your ankles and feet are swelling, it”s a sure sign you are holding fluids. Try to avoid sitting for long periods at a time and cut down on your salt intake.

Stilettos are beautiful and yes, they do make you look sexy, HOWEVER, you should avoid long walks while wearing them.

In fact, you should always wear sensible shoes. Ha! Fat chance, right? Seriously, what about a compromise? Wear sensible shoes when you are coming and/or going from work and keep the heels in a tote bag.

For extremely dry feet, lather on a layer of cocoa butter to each foot, slip your feet into plastic bags and pull on a pair of oversize socks. Leave on overnight while sleeping and when you awaken the next morning your feet will feel smooth, silky and soft.

Add milk to a footbath for softening the feet.

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HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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Written by HealthStatus Team
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

View all post by HealthStatus Team