Five Ways To Ruin Your Feet

We'd like to re-introduce you to a part of your body you may have not seen for a while , and you may loke what you  see.

Fashion friend : Meet your feet . You know , the ones that have been wrapped up in socks and boots all winter . The ones you have neglected , ignored  and abused . How have you been hurting them ? Let us count the ways :

1)  The wrong shoes :
Cheap shoes , uncomfortable shoes  , or shoes that don't fit won't just giv e you aching feet ...they could create serious medical problems  that last a lifetime . So choose your shoes carefully  ... the wrong footwear can lead to stress factures , plantar fascitis  (swelling of the tissure at the the bottom of your feet), or hammer toes.
Some ground rules , the heel should be firm and the toes shouldn't bend or twist , "Look at your feet , look at your shoes . If they don't resemble each other , you shouldn't be walking around in them ,"  says Dr. Johanna  Youner , a New York City-based podiatrist .
Bad news for ladies  who love their Loubouting : Five inch heels may be okay for a party or a date  , but they're certainly not for everyday . "Stilettos  are gorgeous  and everybody loves the way they look in them , but to wear them to walk around is not the best way to go ," says Dr. Youner.

2) Perils of the pedicure :
A pedicure  may be relaxing  ... and a great way to get winter feet looking presentable again ... but an ingrown toenail will certainly stress you out   . Germs  picked up during a pedicure can lead to an ingrown toenail  or an infection .
If that happens don't go back to the salon , says Dr. Youner  ...see a podiatrist beforw it gets worse . A good rule of thumb is to choose a salon where the foot-soaking tub is either disposable or removable  , because a lot of infections may originate in the plumbling .
It can't hurt to  bring your own tools  either ...and even if it's yurs  , clean them before you head out  , and when in doubt , apply some  Bacitracin  to your feet when you get home .

3)  Yoga mat yuck :
Forgetting your own mat  when you go to  yoga may cost more than a $1 mat rental fee ...yoga mats  are notorious for spreading  plantar warts .
Sweat creates the humid atmosphere in which warts flourish , and that combined with a shared mat can add up to plantar warts or athete's foot .
"I would be reticent to take my own socks off in  a yoga studio , not because I'm accusing anyone of being dirty  , just because it's very human to transmit warts ," says Dr. Youner  . So bring your own yoga mat or pick up some yoga socks . Gaiam's No-Slip Yoga Soc ks  are  a popular choice  ...and loose yourself in practice.

4)  Beware of moisture :
Foot scourges like athlete's foot and plantar warts thrive in winter ... so you should do your best to keep your feet protected and dry . If you take a  shower after your workout   at the gym , try to remember to bring your flip-flops .
But even  if you don't  , donn't despair : You can wipe your feet down with a little  alcohol to make sure all is clear , say Dr. Youner .
When you're wearing shoes  , make sure your feet stays dry , she urges . "The best protective thing is just to put some  cornstarch in your closed shoes ," says Dr. Youner . "it protects you from all sorts of things that can break down your skin." This is especially important with boots .

5)  Running a risk :
Yes ,  execise is good for you ; but repetitive actions can hurt your feet , especially if you're not wearing the best footwear . Dancing ...particularly in ballet  toe shoes  (See  Black Swan)  is particularly hazardous for your feet , so dance with care.
Running , too , which causes the foot to be repeatedly pushed into heel and toe   can cause  bleeding under the nail . If that happens , the toe won't grow back normally ...ever.
This is a common problem podiatrists see around marathons , says Dr. Youner . If this ( or any of the above foot problems ) does happen , she urgues , see a podiatrist as soon as possible  . "Don't let your injury get to the poin t where the nail falls off ,"  she warns.