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Agony of the feet

According to a 2007 survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association, more than 50 percent of women have foot pain that gets in the way of everyday life. Here, some of your most common Achilles' heels, plus how to kick pain to the curb.Toting your own sanitary tools to the salon is a pain. But if you've got a nail file hanging around, you're already halfway to the perfect DIY pedicure. Here's
/ Source: TODAY

According to a 2007 survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association, more than 50 percent of women have foot pain that gets in the way of everyday life. Here, some of your most common Achilles' heels, plus how to kick pain to the curb.

Toting your own sanitary tools to the salon is a pain. But if you've got a nail file hanging around, you're already halfway to the perfect DIY pedicure. Here's what else you need to know

Clip correctly

Like Avril Lavigne before she got married, your toenails are better with a little edge. Cutting corners sets you up for ingrowns and infections, says Hillary Brenner, D.P.M., an NYC podiatrist. Instead, trim straight across, using a larger version of your standard nail cutter with a straight blade, like the Tweezerman Limited Clipper ($10, available at drugstores). Smooth rough bits with a nail file.

Bring the friction

Don't force the world to look at your scaly, cracked soles. Save your dignity with an exfoliating rubdown, care of Olay Thermal Ped­icure Treatment ($10 for 4.9 oz, drugstore.com), then use a foot file like the Diamancel #11 ($50, blissworld.com) to buff the heels and balls of your feet.

Seal the cracks

In the summer, exposing your feet to air can lead to cracks in your skin. That's how microbes get in and cause infection, says Carolyn Siegal, D.P.M., a Boston podiatrist. To smooth skin and prevent fissures, douse your feet in a cream containing water-binding hydrators like glycerin and urea. We like Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Foot Creme ($5 for 3 oz, drugstore.com).

Push yourself

To reveal the nail bed and make it easier to apply polish, gently nudge back your cuticles. First rub them with cuticle oil or a cotton swap dipped in olive or baby oil, then use an orange stick (found at any drugstore) to push the skin back from the nail — but don't go at it like a Lotto scratch-off ticket. Light pressure is all you need. Next, use the stick to carefully clean under the nails.

Stroke with genius 

Your handiwork will last longer if nails are clean, so wipe them with nail polish remover before slicking on a base coat. Then start painting on the polish: Brush down the middle of the nail first, applying a little pressure on the brush so it fans out; you should be able to cover the entire toe in three strokes. Cover with a clear topcoat. The tea tree oil in DuWop Toe Polish ($12, sephora.com) fights the threat of fungal infection.