| Ouch!! (Injuries and Toe Problems and how to fix them) |
| Athlete's Foot |
| Athlete's Foot is a fungal infection that grows in dark and moist environments. For a dancer to prevent from getting this fungal infection you should was your feet at least once a day and then dry the skin between the toes. If you develop this infection you can buy over-the-counter remedies which should cure it., or you can go to your doctor which can prescribe a strong antifungal drug. Once the infection is gone continue preventive steps. Athlete's Foot can be spread so be careful when you are in a dressing room or a shower room. This information was provided by: The Pointe Book |
| Blister's |
| If you develop a blister there are many ways to treat it. You can get some lamb's wool and some adhesive tape and place that over it. Something else that helps are the antibiotic band-aids. You can also use moleskin. I use all of them depending on how bad my blister is. If you are at a competition or performance it is a good idea to tape your toes. I always do that before a performance just to prevent or protect my toes from getting a blister on stage. If you have a blister the best treatment is to rest and let it heal on its own, but for a dancer it is hard to rest. So, just make sure you keep it washed and clean. If you want you can try New Skin it is a product that you rub over your blister (It may sting a little) and it provides as a coat to protect your blister. Even if you do use the New Skin make sure before you put your toe shoes on, put some tape over it because if you don't it might peel off. |
| Calluses |
| To keep Calluses under control, soak your feet in a bowl of warm water and several tablespoons of mild soap for ten to fifteen minutes. Then gently file off excess callus accumulation with an emery file and massage the area with a small amount of olive oil. DO NOT try to remove the entire callus buildup in one treatment, but be sure to keep any remaining callus level with the skin around it. Finally, smooth the area with the finer side of the emery board. Repeat this procedure after bathing or showering, being careful never to file away too much callus. The area can be protected by applying moleskin before dancing. This information was provided by: The Pointe Book |
| Thank you so much to The Pointe Book!!! |
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| Ingrown Toenails |
| Redness is the first of an ingrown toenail. Sharp pain and swelling can follow. If an infection or pus is present see a doctor immendiately. If pain occurs, soak the foot in hot water and antibacterial soap several times a day and place a thin bit of alcohol-soaked cotton under the edge of the nail to push the skin away while the nail grows. By lifting the nail away from the nail bed, the cotton should provide relief from the pain, but if the ingrown nail has reached a point where it must be clipped away, it is wise to see a doctor. Dancers can help avoid the problem by trimming the toenail straight, with only a slight rounding at the corners. The nail should never be rounded enough to come into contact with the skin on either side of the nail bed. Investing in a good pair of nail clippers is an essential for toenail maintenance. This information was provided by: The Pointe Book |
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