Foot Health Information

Athlete’s foot is an itchy, parasitic fungal infection of the skin of your foot, usually between the toes, which causes scaling, flaking, itching and cracking of the skin. It is typically caused by a mold (but in some cases a yeast) that grows on the surface of the skin and then gets into the cracks between the toes. Although the malady more commonly affects males than females, it’s estimated to be the second most common skin disease in the United States, after acne. The fungus thrives in warm, damp environments, such as the locker rooms, health clubs, public showers and indoor swimming pools.

Prevention of athlete’s foot can be achieved in many ways and should be practiced especially in public places. The first place to start prevention is to use a antibacterial and anti-fungal soap such as GymSoap. Always wear shower shoes or sandals in locker rooms or public showers and baths. Be sure you wash your feet with soap and dry thoroughly especially between your toes.

Some of the personal prevention measures you can take include wearing well-ventilated shoes, wear cotton or moisture wicking polyester socks, use foot powder, change shoes every day and replace old sneakers. These are just a few of the ways to prevent or keep your athlete’s foot in check

Natural treatments are my favorite way to prevent and cure athlete’s foot. Here are some that I’ve used or heard about working:

White Vinegar-Make a solution of one part of vinegar and four parts of lukewarm water. Soak the infected foot in that solution for half an hour twice daily.

Tea tree oil-After you have soaked your feet in the vinegar water, rub tea tree oil on your toes and wherever you have athletes foot.

Aloe Vera-I find that this worked about as well as anything I tried. Make sure your feet are dry and massage it into the affected areas. It will stop the itching also.

Hydrogen Peroxide-Apply with a Q-Tip or cotton swab after washing or soaking your feet. Allow to dry. If you wish, you may follow with an application of apple cider vinegar.

Eucalyptus oil-apply a few drops to the affected areas two to three times daily. It will kill the fungi and relieve the itching.

Tea-Fill a large bowl with a quart of boiling water and add six tea bags. Soak your feet for up to an hour. The tannic acid in tea kills some of the fungus and is soothing for painful, itchy feet.

Baking soda-Using baking soda as a powder on your feet and between your toes after you shower and dry your feet and toes thoroughly is helpful.

Household bleach-Wash your socks and towel with bleach in the water. Wipe out your shoes with a bleach water mixture and let dry, then spray well with Lysol and let dry. Also use Lysol on the tub, shower, and foot tub. Do not dry – spray till wet and let air dry.

Corn starch-is effective in soaking moisture, so keep your toes and fee dry by sprinkling corn starch on them.

Garlic-Either crush or blend a couple cloves of garlic. Then rub it into the skin where you have athlete’s foot. It will take 2 to 3 days to heal all of the dry dead skin but works great.

Boric acid-Sprinkled in your socks will prevent athlete’s foot, especially if you’ve had infections before. Don’t use this to treat the problem though.

Hair dryer-Athlete’s foot thrives in moist and your hair dryer can aid in the drying the feet after bathing or between baths if you feet become moist.

Epsom salts-Some podiatrists recommend soaking the feet in a solution of Epsom salts in warm water.

Yogurt-To help ease the symptoms, you can put plain yogurt on the affected area as often as you want. A small amount of yogurt will surely soothe itchiness and redness.

Alcohol and Aspirin-Dissolve about 5 aspirin in 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol and rub over your feet after showering or bathing, the aspirin will soak into the skin due to the alcohol mixture.

Antiperspirant/deodorant-regularly apply stick antiperspirant/deodorant to the feet, especially between the toes.

Vicks Vapor Rub-has also been touted as cure. Rub it between your toes or other affected area.

Listerine-applied to the infected area is said to cure athlete’s foot also.

The next time you or someone you know has athlete’s foot try some of these remedies instead of spending your hard earned money on OTC or even prescription drugs that don’t work as well. Some of these natural cures I’ve never tried but they sound like they would work. Many of them have been used for years so someone you know probably has some information on them. Even if they don’t work they won’t harm your health if you use them as suggested. If you think they might be a problem don’t try them.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athlete’s

http://www.myhomeremedies.com/topic.cgi?topicid=18&page=4

Summer puts a carefree attitude in a lot of people. The mere sight of the beach and the sun make people shout for joy and do many things that may not be good for the health, including bathing under the sun for prolonged periods without ample protection and running around barefoot. One part of the body, aside from the skin, that seems to be neglected during the summer season is the foot.

If you love that part of your body responsible for your locomotion, read on and learn about the common mistakes that many people commit and can potentially jeopardize the health of the feet.

Mistake # 1: Going barefoot and wearing flip-flops and flats

Since foot experts have been cautioning people from using high heels, many individuals were led to believe that going barefoot or wearing flats and flip-flops is best for the feet. However, using footwear that gives no support for your feet at all can also cause several problems, such as tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, or even ankle sprains, according to Temple University’s Dr Tracey Vlahovic. Meanwhile, flat shoes can also lead to blisters, heel aches, and bunions or hammertoes, which can be caused by crowding toes.

Going barefoot is also not a good idea because your feet can be prone to bruises, cuts, scrapes, and even puncture wounds (if you walk on a nail or broken glass). If you are diabetic, you need to be even more careful with walking barefoot.

If you need to wear flats or flip-flops, it would be best to wear them only for a few hours so that you won’t hurt your Achilles’ heel. Walking barefoot is also fine if you just do it inside your house. But if you are suffering from peripheral vascular disease or diabetes, better wear your shoes anywhere you go.

Mistake # 2: Not putting sunscreen on your feet

Any exposed part of your skin should be covered with sunscreen when you go outside in the daytime, especially when you are at the beach. The ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause skin cancer, premature aging and sunspots in most areas of your skin, so you need to be careful. In fact, the mortality rate of people who are suffering from skin cancer on the feet and legs are high because many forget to protect and check these areas, thinking that their feet and legs are impervious to skin diseases caused by the harsh rays from the sun.

In order to prevent skin cancer, not only on the legs but on the entire body as well, you need to refrain from going outdoors from 10AM to 3PM. Also, always wear sunscreen every time you are out in the sun. If you sweat a lot or you are at the beach, you also need to reapply your sunscreen every once in a while.

Mistake # 3 Putting duct tape on areas with warts

There are a lot of articles on the Internet that tell people to put on duct tape for over a week or more on warts to help treat them. However, studies have shown that duct tape on warts is not any better than placebo. There are many other treatments available for warts, so why not use them instead?

Mistake # 4 Immersing foot in vinegar to cure toenail fungus

It is important to note that nail fungus is very difficult to treat because their roots can penetrate even the deep layers of the skin. Although vinegar may have properties to help dry up fungal infections, this is not enough to totally eradicate the root of fungi.

If you want to get rid of your toenail fungus for good, it may be better to look for a remedy that not only targets the problem from the outside, but from the inside as well. One anti-fungal system that you may want to consider using in treating your nail fungus and preventing it from spreading is Somasin. You can get more information about this product by visiting http://www.somasin.com/.

Your feet are the most overworked parts of your body. They are strained even when you think they are rested. People usually walk even long distances and women sometimes abuse their feet by wearing high heels and clogs.

The feet are usually injured during the common activities of the day. This is the reason why foot spas became popular nowadays. There are salons everywhere that offers the service and you just can’t resist to just having pedicure alone. Indulge your feet to some alluring treat that will make them feel fresh and look healthy.

Nobody said that foot spa can only be done in salons. It can be done at home too. There are foot spa machines that can be bought in beauty shops and appliance centers. You can choose from a variety of features included in the machines. With this, you can treat your feet even after work! Your feet need a treat after a long day of work.

Tip: To have a very relaxing moment and satisfactory result, go to the salon if you’re not in a tight budget. There are many salons that offer foot spa so pick the best the can satisfy your feet.

Tip: You can also have a foot spa in your home. There are foot spa packs ready in beauty shops. These packs include foot lotion, foot soak, and foot scrub. There are also giveaways like nail brush and toe separators. Choose the best pack for you.

Tip: Buy foot spa machine with high quality and durability. There are machines with many options aside from the massage itself. Be sure to check the warranty. This can be an investment so why choose the cheap ones that can easily break if you can have the ones with high quality.

Tip: When buying a machine, ask the dealer to have a demonstration to ensure that the machine is working well. Look at the wiring’s of the machine and be sure they are not touching the foot bowl.

Tip: You can have foot spa before going to sleep. Soak your feet in warm water with lemon juice for 15 minutes. Scrub with loofah and then rinse with warm water. Massage your feet with petroleum jelly. Cover your feet with socks and remove it in the morning. You’ll have a very refreshing feeling in the morning and a pair of soft feet.

Tip: Use foot scrub to exfoliate your feet and help ease your tired feet. Before using scrubs, soak first your feet in warm water with a cup of sea salt, two slices of lime, mint leaves, and 5 to 6 drops essential oils for 5 to 10 minutes.

Treat your feet after having it overworked for the whole day. Give special attention to your feet especially when they start to ache. Maybe, they need a massage and a special treat from you. It is said that the feet have many nerve endings connected to different parts of the body. So be sensitive in aches and pains for they may mean something other than the stress that your feet received.

Many individuals have a resistant fungal infection and supportive measures such as keeping dry and clean do not help. Sometimes the athlete’s foot is recurrent and in such cases, it is best to see a health care professional.

Medicated Powders: Today there are many types of anti fungal powders available without a physician’s prescription. The most common powder used to treat athlete’s foot is miconazole. The medicated powder not only kills the fungus but keeps the foot dry. The powder should be used twice a day. One may need to apply the powder for a few weeks to ensure that the fungus has been eradicated.

Other anti fungal medications include clotrimazole and terbinafine. These are available as sprays and a cream which also have to be applied twice a day. Prior to applying any medicated powder or cream. The feet should be thoroughly washed in warm water and dried. The powder is best applied at bedtime and in the morning. Even if the fungal infection is only in one part of the foot, it is essential to apply the medication on the entire foot, and especially in each of the web spaces of the toes.

Once the medications are used, the redness, itchiness and burning sensation will rapidly disappear within a week but the medications must be continued for at least 3-5 weeks to completely eradicate the fungus from the deep layers of the skin.

There are some individuals who may continue to have symptoms despite the use of powdered medications and in such cases, oral treatment may be required. There are several anti fungal pills available (fluconazole, itraconazole) which can be used to treat athlete’s foot. These medications require a prescription from a physician. In most cases, a 2-3 week course of anti fungal pills should be adequate. Once the fungus has disappeared one should adopt strict cleanliness and maintain dryness of the foot. Tinea has a habit of recurring when the conditions are warm and humid.

Frequently the tinea pedis is neglected and the infection may spread to the toe nails. This normally happens because most people only apply the medications on the skin and not on the nails. Once a toe nail has been infected by a fungus, it is almost impossible to get rid of the infection. While one can apply anti fungal treatment to the nails this may take months. And in some cases one may have to take oral anti fungal medications with no guarantee that they will work. The best and easiest solution for a full blown fungal infection of the nail is to simply get the physician to remove the toe nail. This can be accomplished in a few minutes, is relatively painless and will save you lots of time and aggravation- not to mention the money for the expensive creams and lotions.

Women put a great deal of importance on cosmetics, mascara and lipstick to make themselves attractive.  They feel good about themselves when they are all dolled-up with cosmetics. Just hearing someone say, “you look nice today”, can make their day.  Yes, cosmetics, mascara and lipstick have become basic necessities for well dressed women. In fact, most women do not feel that they are good looking without makeup.  They feel they will be adversely judged if they do not look pretty.  Is there some truth to this? Does society put such emphasis on appearance?

Even though looks shouldn’t matter, the question arises–do good looking people get treated with favoritism? Do they tend to have greater advantages in life? For example, would a stranger be more inclined to come to the aid of a woman who is very attractive? Might she receive better service at the auto shop? Simply because she is good looking?

An experiment was conducted in New York city. Two women were given folders filled with papers. They were told to drop them on a busy sidewalk and observe what would happen. Would anyone help them? When the attractive woman dropped her folder, suddenly people immediately came to help. Then she observed the other “average looking” woman drop her folder. She was saddened when nobody came to her friend’s assistance.

Why this differential treatment? Is this strictly a cultural phenomenon? Do we learn this from observing and imitating others? Well, studies show that babies will look more intently and longer at prettier faces. If infants could not possibly be influenced to be biased at this tender age, then we must somehow be hard-wired, rather than conditioned, to respond more favorably to more attractive people.

What can we do about it?

If it truly is an intrinsic quality of humans to show a more favorable disposition to more attractive people, then there is very little we can do about it. All the rebellion in the world won’t change human nature. If someone pays us a compliment by telling us how nice we look, would we chastise them? Would we question why they show partiality? No, rather, we would be grateful for this compliment and view it as a human kindness.

How to accept this ugly truth?

It will be easier for us to accept this human tendency if we admit that we ourselves at times are partial to this kind of admiration. Depending on if it is to our advantage or not. Favorable when it is to our advantage; not-favorable when we are at the short end of the stick. We must be realistic and remember that a person’s physical attractiveness, just like their personality, impacts every individual literally from birth to death. As unfair as at that may be, it’s reality. We can never change that. The best thing that we can do is change our attitude, learn from others and use it to our advantage.

How to use it to our advantage?

Movie stars are usually renowned for their good looks. To them, their appearance is a top priority. This is because their livelihood depends on it. In fact, some are noted to say, “It is better to look good, than to feel good!” Although, we may view this as an inordinate emphasis on vanity, in reality, it may not be. Think about it! Would they have achieved stardom in show-business due to their excellent health? Of course not! Image is everything in their world. They just know how to project their image to the best of their advantage. We must learn to do the same.

What can we learn from movie stars?

If movie stars put their best foot forwards, wouldn’t we gain limited success by applying their thinking? Consider this–just because a movie star is naturally good looking, doesn’t cause her to not wear makeup. No, she will actually put emphasis on it. Consulting makeup artists to achieve her best natural look. Accentuating the positive, and making negative features less noticeable. Their livelihood and reputation depends on their taking every advantage to look their very best, on camera and off.

How to capitalize on your looks?

Movie stars are privileged to employ the efforts of various makeup artists to achieve their best look. This gives a fresh perspective on what may look better. However, most women who are not in show business, have only done their own makeup application. As a habit, they may be using unfavorable colors and application methods. If you feel like you need a new perspective, why not consult a makeup artist? Their fresh approach and greater experience, might be just what you need to accentuate your best facial features. It is common for women to consult their hair-dressers for a new look–why not do the same with a makeup artist?

How natural cosmetics can help?

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to just accentuate positive facial features and not have to cover up imperfections. Well, the truth is many skin problems are actually a result of makeup! Most makeup products contain chemicals that irritate the skin and cause blemishes, discoloration, redness and dryness. Instead of covering up facial flaws with synthetic blends of makeup, why not try to correct these flaws by the use of natural cosmetics? You will be surprised how much better your skin will look and feel. Also you will not need to wear as much foundation and makeup! This will save you time, money, and you will be able to concentrate on accentuating positives!

Yes, looks do matter!  We do live in a society that puts a great deal of emphasis on appearance. Without cosmetics, society views women as not fully dressed. We can’t change that. But we can take advantage of this. By wearing cosmetics in a way that accentuates our appearance, cosmetics can actually open doors that may otherwise be closed.

Following these steps will help treat an ongoing infection and help prevent the condition from recurring.

Take It Easy. Athletes Foot can come on quickly. Symptoms may include blisters, itching and cracked skin. Take a day or two off work in you need to. Keep your foot uncovered and stay off of it as much as possible. The bacteria can enter your body through the cracked skin and lead to a serious infection.

Seek Some Relief. While enjoying your well deserved days off from work, you can use compresses to help relieve some of the irritation and help dry up any lesions. A quick remedy for this that won’t cost you a trip to the doctor or require a prescription is to dilute a pack of Domeboro powder in one pint of cold water. Use a white cotton cloth, make sure it is untreated, soak the cloth in your solution and apply several times a day as needed to relieve pain and discomfort.

Soak Your Foot. You’re enjoying your days off so you might as well get the most out of it. While not exactly like a day at the spa, try soaking your feet in salt water. Use a ratio of two teaspoons salt per one pint of lukewarm water. This salty mixture is not an enviroment this fungus can thrive in. Soaking also softens your skin and will allow any anti-fungal creams to penetrate the affected area better. Five to ten minute soaks before applying topical medications as instructed will do the trick.

Apply Topical Medications. Now that you’ve soaked and softened the skin, apply whatever topical medications you prefer. There are many over the counter treatments as well as various homeopathic remedies that may work.

Treat Your Toes. Athletes foot loves moist, warm conditions and between the toes makes an ideal home for this fungus. Applying a solution of aluminum chloride works to dry out that area while working to kill the fungus. If you can’t find this solution at your local pharmacy, you can request that your pharmacist make up a solution for you consisting of 25% aluminum chloride diluted in water. Apply 2-3 times daily, continuing treatment for an additional two weeks after conditions improve. This solution will sting if applied to cracked or irritated skin so be sure and treat the condition first with other anti-fungal topical solutions first to begin the healing process.

Feel Better With Baking Soda. Applying a paste made of baking soda can provide relief. Using warm water and one tablespoon of baking soda, mix together to form a paste. Work this paste between your toes and any other areas affected. Completely rinse and dry then sprinkle on cornstarch to finish.

Get Rid Of The Dead Skin. After you have effectively treated the acute conditions, you must remove the dead skin as it contains fungi that is living and which may lead to reinfection. When bathing, you may use a small brush to remove any dead skin. Be careful and don’t scrub to hard, you want to cause irritation so a quick but light scrubbing should do. Shower when finished to completely remove any dead skin that may remain and also rinse the bathtub and shower well to remove any remaining bits of skin in those areas.

Don’t Forget Your Toenails. The toenails are favorable areas for fungi breeding. It’s important to clean underneath your nails every few days. A standard, metal nail file can cause scratches that may harbour the fungus so it’s best to use a wooden toothpick or some other instrument that can clean but not scratch.

Proactive Treatment. If you’re prone to athletes foot, you may continue to treat with topical medications once or twice a week, especially during the moist, warm months of the year and if you work in conditions which cause your feet to fungus friendly conditions. Now that you’ve hopefully eliminated the problem, let’s take a look at some preventative measures you can take to help resist further fungal infections.

Shoes Make A Difference. Tight fitting, non-ventilated, man made materials like plastic and rubber are notorious for trapping your foots perspiration and creating favorable conditions for the fungus to grow. Find shoes that are comfortable but not too snug, you want to allow air circulation which helps to keep your foot dry. In the summer, opt for sandals when you can or some other well ventilated footwear.

Rotate Your Shoes. It’s only natural that your feet will perspire, regardless of material although to different extents. For this reason, it’s important that you allow time for the inside of your shoes to dry completely before wearing again. Rotating between a couple pairs of shoes is the best way to do this. If you work in conditions which cause heavy perspiration, rotate more often, twice a day if necessary.

Dust With Anti-Fungal Powder. After the inside of your shoe has dried, which takes approx. 24 hrs, sprinkle in anti-fungal powder before wearing. If you are prone to fungal infections of the feet, you may also want to wipe the outside of your shoes with a disinfectant to help remove any fungal spores every time you take them off before they have a chance to make their way inside.

Change Your Socks Frequently. If you work in conditions or your shoes are a material that causes heavy perspiration, along with rotating your shoes more frequently, you also need to change your socks more often. You want to keep your feet as dry as possible so keep extra socks on hand. Socks made of cotton are best. When washing your socks, use the hottest water setting and be sure to rinse thouroughly as residues from laundry detergents can irritate your skin.

Let Your Feet Dry. Often times we find ourselves hurrying in the mornings and may put on our socks and shoes before our feet have dried completely. If you are running late, use a hair dryer to speed things up. Don’t forget a sprinkle of medicated foot powder between the toes before lacing up.

Watch Your Step. One of the most important things you can do to avoid getting a bad case of athletes foot, (as if there’s a good case), is to wear foot protection any time you are in a public place where others may walk in bare feet.

Beauty is skin deep, so goes the good old saying. But, that does not rob the charm of enhancing your looks. So, hey there, beauty conscious, there’s just no harm in having some of the best beauty tips up your sleeves. For looking and feeling beautiful is a sign of health and happiness.

Your face is your passport; do not ever neglect it. The skin of your face is constantly assaulted by the environment: temperature too high or too low, wind, pollution, temperature changes. It needs to be protected by the use of an anti-oxidant cream. Protective cream or restorative cream, the choice of your cream depends on your skin type and your needs.

Beautiful people of all ages have maintained that beauty is not as much reflected in the rosy, youthful look of the skin. When questioned about the secret to their beautiful skins, they have always attributed it to a healthy lifestyle and a few homemade beauty tips.

Moisturizing the face with low content of chemicals keeps the skin tight without any wrinkles. Drinking excess water makes the skin glow where the water helps to eliminate the bacteria and toxins from the body. Cleaning the skin with the cleansing milk is the best tip where it consists of milk factors.

Buttermilk/cream and yogurt make excellent skin cleansers. They are also excellent for giving a glowing, uniform color and skin tone. They have been used for wrinkle reduction and plumping/rejuvenating the skin. What also works great is eating salmon 2 times a week.

A well-balanced healthy diet including fresh fruits and vegetables will help you to attain natural beauty. Drinking natural fruit juices will enhance natural energy of body. Fruit juices such as oranges, apple, carrots and cucumber juices are excellent beauty secrets that rejuvenate your skin, nails and hair.

One of the best skin care tips we can give you then is to go on an appropriate diet. And when we say appropriate diet, we mean a diet that is approved by doctors, dieticians and / or nutritionists. Not all diets are applicable to all body types, you know.

You need to keep your body moisturized. Your hands and feet should keep an ample level of moisture in the body. File you nails and apply your most favorite nail polish. A refreshing foot spa is a smash. You will be getting rid of that callus and dead skin and you will leave your hands and feet glowing.

One of the best skin care tips we can give you then is to go on an appropriate diet. And when we say appropriate diet, we mean a diet that is approved by doctors, dieticians and / or nutritionists. Not all diets are applicable to all body types, you know.

Take your vitamins! They keep you healthy, help you sleep, and if you are taking the right vitamins they nourish not only your blood but your skin. All that nourishment will make you look and feel younger. As we all know, when we feel good, we look good. The real secret to beauty!

It’s a familiar sight in many malls and beauty salons. A lady (who may be dressed in white) offers to remove impurities from your body by means of an “ionic foot bath.” The foot bath also goes by the name of aqua chi machine, bio electrical biofeedback machine, foot spa, energy spa and super deter foot bath.

Regardless of how it is called, the process is the same. Your feet are immersed in a basin of salt water that is electrically charged with two electrodes for about 30 minutes. After the “treatment”, the clear water takes on a black or dark brown color. This is offered as proof that the product works.

“The system supposedly draws toxins out through the soles of the feet and the water changes color due to the release of toxic substances through the 2,000 pores of the soles of the feet. The water will change color and consistency – from orange, brown to black. Yellow is said to come from the kidneys and bladder; orange/brown from the joints; green/dark brown to black from the liver, gallbladder and/or bowel; and white from the lymphatic system,” according to Dr. Stephen Barrett of the California-based National Council Against Health Fraud Inc.

A similar method employs a special type of adhesive foot pads that are worn on the bottom of the feet overnight. During sleep, the pads allegedly remove toxins from the body that are expelled in the form of sweat. This is seen in the color change in the pads from white to gray-black.

Like the foot bath, the pads are advertised as effective against all kinds of contaminants including heavy metals, metabolic waste, microscopic parasites, mucous and even cellulite. They are also said to rid users of migraine, gout and a host of other diseases.

While “treatments” need to be done regularly and cost a lot, they may appear reasonable to unwary consumers who may think they are getting a bargain considering the number of diseases these devices can supposedly cure.

Unfortunately, the people behind these products are only after your money since the latter don’t work. Barrett said the skin is not a permeable membrane, meaning that substances placed on the outside of the feet won’t absorb substances circulating within the body.

“Even if they could, this would not remove ‘toxins’ from the body. Real detoxification takes place in the liver, which modifies the chemical structure of undesirable substances. The modified substances then circulate through the bloodstream to the kidneys, which filter them into the urine. The skin has no involvement in this process and is not an organ of detoxification. Sweat, which contains water and salt, helps maintain body temperature but does not play a significant role in toxin removal,” Barrett explained.

The change in the color of the water is due to electrolysis or a simple chemical reaction. The brown “toxins” are actually rust or oxidized iron generated by the corrosion of the iron electrodes that are placed in the basin.

In short, the change in the water color is due to increased iron content. This can be made regardless of whether or not feet are placed in it. Different colors can likewise be made by adding salt to the water and variations in the composition of the electrodes.

How do you explain the color change in the foot pads that aren’t immersed in water? Nancy Ferrari, managing editor of HEALTH beat, a newsletter published by Harvard University, said the pads, which are impregnated with wood vinegar, change color when they absorb foot perspiration or are sprayed with tap water. Nothing miraculous there folks.

So the next time someone offers you to try a foot detox system, save your sole and “de-FEET” them with these scientific arguments.

To look good, use Lumnaderm, a whitening cream that eliminates freckles, unsightly age spots, sun spots, blemishes and hyperpigmentation. When used as directed, Lumnaderm will balance uneven skin tones and illuminate your skin. For more information, visit http://www.lumnaderm.com.

How does the viatek ionic foot spa work?

Firstly, we must understand that the human body is made up of 60%-70% water. Our body fluids are made up of different types of salts. These salts are capable of conducting electricity. In fact, our whole body will produce chemical reactions, generating electrical currents, which produce energy.

Water has the ability to alter molecules in the presence of certain solutes. When we introduce our feet into the viatek ionic foot spa water, our body fluids actually connect with the water. The water takes on the roll of main conductor, causing an electrical current between the two electrodes of the array. This current in a way propagates with our own body fluids.

Soles on the human feet consist of a large number of reflex points that correspond to specific organs or certain parts of our body as is explained by the principle of reflexology and the meridian flow lines according to acupuncture. Therefore, any kind of stimuli – whether mechanical, luminous or electromagnetic – can cause a specific reaction in each bodily system, organ or the corresponding body area reflected on the soles of the feet.

This means that no matter what type of interchange takes place, the bio-stimulation helps restore energy as well as balance. In addition, it eases tension in certain areas and re-establishes blocked energy channels. This process helps the organs in the body to function in the approved manner, recharging each organ to work to its optimum efficiency.

What is included with viatek ionic foot spa?

The viatek ionic foot spa kit includes:

1 x Ionic Energizer Foot Bowl 2 x Array coils – The array coils usually last between 30-50 treatments. When the array coils need replacing, they will simply stop working. 1 x Massage Bubble Foot Plate 1 x Salt 1 x Blue storage bag 1 x Control unit 1 x Power adapter

Detox foot spa and detoxification

Through the course of the day, an average person encounters a variety of environmental factors which affect their well being. Our body detoxifies itself every day, eliminating toxins and waste via the kidneys, liver, colon, lymph glands, lungs and skin, but it will never be possible for it to eliminate every toxin. Toxins are present in our everyday environment and factors like tobacco, alcohol, food additives, drugs and anesthetics, artificial sweeteners, pesticides, heavy metals and industrial pollutants will leasd to a build of toxins. In addition, stress and a lack of exercise, as well as air pollution cause toxins to build up in our bodies throughout the day. This buildup prevents the body from functioning at its optimal level. This results in tiredness, headaches, frequent colds, sinus problems, dry skin and even bad breath.

In order for our bodies to function optimally and rid our systems of the toxins, a detox foot spa is a very good option. These toxins attack our immune system and have the ability to cause a wide variety of side effects, like lethargy, tiredness, headaches and migraine, colds and flu, rough skin, breath and body odour, as well as sinus problems among others.

A detox foot spa can also make a major difference to very clean and good looking feet. Just after half-an-hour of the detox foot spa treatment, you will see some brown-colored fat like globules floating on the water.

The positive results of detox foot spa will further compel you to take the treatment from time to time. The more often you repeat the treatments, the less gross are the results. The detox foot spa is said to extract heavy metals and other forms of toxins from the system. The detox foot spa uses all-natural ingredients and thus extracts toxins from the body naturally. In turn, this promotes a strong immune system and healthy lymphatic functions. Detox foot spas are known to:

Relieve arthritic pain and discomfort Improve the immune system Increase vitality and energy Reduce stress and anxiety Improve circulation Improve sleep Enhance mental focus and concentration; and Soothe headaches

Be Kind to your skin and hair

If you sleep in a bedroom with central heating your skin will suffer and become dry because of lack of moisture in the room – the remedy is a bowl of water placed on your radiator which will increase the humidity in the room

This is a magic little beauty tip that costs almost nothing and achieves remarkable results. After thoroughly cleansing, use a peeled grape and gently rub all over your face. Leave it to dry before washing off with tepid water. The result is tightened, silky smooth skin that feels as though you have just had a really expensive facial. Just one word of warning – try this on your wrist first just to ensure that you are not allergic to grape juice!

If you want to make sure that your newly-done hairstyle is still shiny and smooth when you get up in a morning – do as the ancient Egyptians did and sleep on a silk pillowcase – this way your hair won’t stick to the pillow as much as it would if you were using cotton bedding.

Always use a powerful hairdryer – you can create your style quickly in far less time. Aim for a hairdryer of 2,000W,s or over – most salons use over 3000w’s – when you next have to replace yours

When using essential oils in the bath – never add them in an undiluted form. Buy a cheap carrier oil and add the recommended number of drops to that. Remember to use an essential oil that has relaxing properties if you are bathing before going to bed and an invigorating one if you want to start the day in top form. The ideal time to apply body lotion is after a bath – it will lock in moisture and by massaging in the direction of your heart – you will boost your circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Always, always, use a heat protection spray every time you dry your hair – it will help to prevent split ends and keep the hair healthy. If blow drying creates static in your hair, use a small amount of serum once your hair is dry. Sometimes, let your hair dry naturally – a break from the hairdryer does your hair a favour

We all know we should drink at least six glasses of water daily to benefit our health and skin but it also helps to fade dark circles under the eyes. Water is also free and useful for giving your pores a steam clean. Fill a bowl with hot water, cover your face with a soaked face flannel first and stand over the bowl for one minute, to let the steam do its work.

As you get older you need to use less make-up, not more! Too much, can be extremely aging and too much powder is the biggest culprit. Pat powder on areas of your face that are likely to get oily, such as your nose, chin, forehead and leave it off your cheeks – it will result in a far more natural look.

Don’t forget the skin on your feet if you are going to expose them in summer. The cheap tip here is to use a lemon – rub over thickened areas of the feet to exfoliate and finish of with a rich moisturising cream or a foot soak in warm water with essential oils.

Finally, never underestimate the beneficial beauty gains that can come from learning a few facial, self-massage tricks. Any massage is beneficial but by buying yourself a basic massage book you could soon learn tips about how to relax the neck, eye and facial areas which you would find brought both physical and mental benefits, as well producing results which would probably enhance your complexion more than any expensive cosmetic product would ever do.

All the tips outlined here will bring some measure of benefit and won’t cost a fortune but the biggest beauty tip of all is to be happy. Stress and unhappiness can and do age you far more than any other factor and it is most noticable on the face. So pamper yourself, try these ten tips but most of all smile.