Before you unleash those beautiful toes in your sliders, let's discuss a much-needed deep clean. Not just for your benefit, but for those in your wake who’ll feast their eyes on them.
Summer's here, which means an uptick in beach days, poolside lounging, and open-toed shoe wearing. And jeez, have we seen some horrifying creatures.
We’re not asking you to cover them up. We love a good sandal debate (we’re pro-sandal, by the way). But even the staunchest sandal supporters struggle with one irrefutable fact: No one wants to see a man’s un-pedicured, possibly fungal, toes. Sorry, but men, as a species, just aren't as foot-attentive as women.
Dr. Suzanne Levine, a foot surgeon and aesthetic podiatrist at New York City’s Millennium Podiatry, shares, “Most men who come to my practice have waited until they have little choice.” We’re talking stress fractures, ingrown toenails with inflammation or pus, and fungal nails thick enough to be classified as weaponry. Men stoically endure to the point of self-endangerment, while women are proactive at the first hint of trouble.
So, before you expose us all to your feet, clean them up. If not for vanity’s sake, do it for your health.
Why You Should Care About Your Feet
Health issues abound when feet are neglected. Levine puts it bluntly, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Think you can tough out an ingrown toenail? Treat it early before it turns into an infection. Ignore that stress fracture, and it might develop into a full-blown break. Fungal nails? They can spread like a bad rumour at a high school reunion.
At-Home Foot Care Basics
Here’s Levine’s pro tips for maintaining foot hygiene:
- Post-shower dry-off: Get between those toes.
- Nail trimming: Straight across, not too short, to avoid ingrown nails.
- Podiatrist visits: At the first sign of trouble, like an athlete's foot or persistent pain.
- Sock and shoe rotation: Clean socks daily and don’t wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row.
Embrace the Pedicure
It’s time to grow up and get a professional pedicure. Seriously. It's relaxing and effective. Tons of men are doing it now. If you're worried about what your macho friends will think, invite them along. Women do not appreciate being stabbed by unkempt toenails, a point Dr. Levine emphasises.
Millennium Podiatry offers a “Foot-Facial,” which includes cutting and filing toenails, exfoliating dead skin, and moisturising and massaging your feet. Custom-made orthotics are also available to prevent and alleviate foot and ankle problems.
Mind Your Footwear
Flip-flops might feel liberating, but they're not always the safest choice. Levine recommends limiting barefoot walking and opting for sturdier footwear to prevent falls and injuries.
The Final Word
Do everyone a favor and pamper your feet. They endure a lot of wear and tear. Once they’re clean and healthy, go ahead and flaunt those open-toed shoes. But until then, keep those socks on.
Remember, clean feet are happy feet. And happy feet make for a happier world.
