SPECIAL FITNESS ISSUE: THE FOOT
By Regina Nuzzo
Special to The Times
Los Angeles Times — Health Section
January 1, 2007
SKIN and nails of the feet just don’t get any respect. When researchers talk foot science, they lavish attention on bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
And when athletes trade stories in the locker room, they’ll recount the finer points of a plantar fasciitis episode — but are far less likely to breathe a word about a wicked case of warts or toenail-crumbling fungus.
Embarrassment: That’s forgivable. Taking the humble foot wrapping for granted: That would be nothing short of foolish.
Layers of resilient skin offer the first line of defense against infection-causing microscopic nasties, and thick nail armor protects toes’ most vulnerable parts from bashing and bruising.
