You have your favorite flip-flops and tangerine polish picked out for the hottest day of summer—then you look down at your [insert gross foot dilemma here]. It’s time to think fast before starting the summer on —pardon the pun—the wrong foot.Do you rush to the doctor or ignore it, exposing everyone to your unsightly (and possibly contagious) situation?Here’s how to navigate your five shadiest foot issues to get you pedi and pool-ready.MORE: Avoid Flip-Flop Germs!1. DRY SKINHeels rough as sandpaper? You’re not alone. It’s one of the top complaints dermatologist Diane Madfes, M.D. hears in her Upper East Side office. Luckily this solution is a simple and natural one: Try a salt or sugar scrub to buff away dry skin, then moisturize with skin-quenching shea butter.“Many people have cracks on their feet from their occupation or exercise—it doesn’t mean there’s an underlying medical issue,” Madfes says. “Painful fissures, however, could be a sign of eczema or psoriasis.”Salicylic acid helps destroy dead skin cells which can be really beneficial for severely dry and cracked heels. Kerasal One Step Exfoliating Moisturizer Therapy Ointment contains salicylic acid and urea which helps hydrate and retain moisture in new cell layers.2. BLISTERSAside from avoiding shoes that create too much friction when walking, there are other ways to prevent these painful buggers. Namely, before slipping on your shoes, slather your soles with a protective balm. “Look for one with ceramides and lipids to help prevent blisters by restoring skin’s natural barrier,” Madfes says.Epicuren’s Avocado Soothing Moisturizer contains shea butter (a ceramide) and avocado oil (a lipid). And since it can be used from head to toe, its subtle, refreshing scent is nothing like the odor we associate with medicated foot creams.Didn’t heed our advice and got a blister? Keep it covered to allow it to heal, Madfes says. Find some relief with a “Help I have a blister” bandage from Help Remedies. The patch’s futuristic hydrocolloid material acts like an artificial scab. Ahhh, now that feels better.3. WARTS Even the name is ugly: plantar warts. Found on the bottom of the feet, these contagious growths are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and take some time (and effort) to destroy. Dr. Madfes prefers going the natural route.“I have people use a grapefruit seed extract found in a health food store,” Madfes says. If it doesn’t shrink down after a month of painting that on and covering with a Band Aid, try one of the many OTC liquids and freezing treatments. Or make an appointment with your general practitioner, just make sure they freeze warts (not all doctor’s do!).VIDEO: What’s Causing Your Warts? 4. WEAK TOENAILSStrong nails start with biotin, a B complex vitamin that can improve brittle nails. “Someone who has a tendency for brittle nails may want to keep them shorter, so they’ll have less trauma,” Madfes says. She also suggests a biotin supplement of 5,000 mcg to help stimulate nail growth.Also, watch out for nail polishes with harsh chemicals and acetone-based nail polish removers. Both will weaken the nail bed. Try a non–toxic nail polish instead.Tried it all? Genadur is a new F.D.A.-approved product on the market said to strengthen nails. Fingers (and toes) crossed!QUIZ: Are You Eating For Strong Nails?5. FOOT FUNGUSNot to be confused with nail fungus (that unattractive condition that causes a yellowing, thickening and peeling of the nail), Athlete’s Foot, as it’s more colloquially known, is a very common, yet manageable infection that grows in warm, moist places like the gym locker room, in your socks, shoes, and swimming pool. You’ll know you have it by peeling, cracking, redness, blisters, itching or burning feet.Like warts, you need to disinfect your shoes to avoid re-contaminating yourself. Another key factor is staying dry at all times.“Decrease moisture to make it less hospitable for fungus,” Madfes says. That means thoroughly drying your feet after a shower, and keeping sweaty feet to a minimum. (Hint: Carry extra clean socks!)Antifungal Lamisil cream is a trusty OTC treatment to fight the infection.As for treating those tootsies? “You may want to try an at-home herbal foot soak for fungus,” says Jane Tan, Nail Technician at Eve Salon in New York City.Whichever contagious foot problem you’re currently sporting, please, do not take it to the salon until it’s all cleared up.”Use your own tools and files and make sure to clean your tools properly when you’re done,” says Tan. “Don’t reuse the files if you have fungus or warts.”All in the clear? Bring on the flirty flip-flops!
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