
Until one has to deal with the pain of arthritis or a similar restriction in one’s hands, one doesn’t realize how much we depend on them for basic tasks. Lyme has unfortunately created pain in my hands that is termed “Lyme arthritis”; many who have Lyme but don't realize it are misdiagnosed with arthritis. Recently I was wishing my children were at my house that day because ironically I needed help opening a childproof medicine cap that my hands were too pained to open that day. However, it goes beyond the obvious difficulties of opening jars and bottles, fastening buttons, or negotiating jewelry clasps. There are days when I struggle with many tasks that most people don’t even think twice about tackling.
One such issue, superficial though it may be, is the issue of dry skin on rough heels. Like many in this part of the world, I wear sandals the majority of the year. This leaves my heels open to exposure, beating them up quite a bit. A few years ago, a few women in my wider social circle highly recommended the PedEgg as better than any pumice stone they’d ever used. I bought one and had to agree: The PedEgg does work much better than a pumice stone. However, I found it very painful to hold and use for the amount of time that was necessary to begin working on the skin on my heels. This is something most people wouldn't have to worry about.
Then, a few weeks ago, I was on Amazon looking for something else, and Amazon suggested the Amopé Pedi Perfect electronic pedicure foot file. It was an “as seen on tv” product and certainly seemed too good to be true. However, tired of being able to scratch up my opposing leg accidentally with my heels during the night while I was sleeping, I decided to give it a try. Despite my reservations, the Pedi Perfect actually turned out to be a purchase that was well worth the $30 investment. The file works amazingly well, smoothing off incredibly rough dead skin with very little effort on the part of the user. The handle on it is wide enough to make for a comfortable grip for my weakened hands. The device requires very little pressure to be effective; too much pressure actually renders the Pedi Perfect useless. The only complaint I have about it is that it there is no device for collecting the skin dust which flies off in all directions including becoming an inhalation risk. I’d recommend using the Pedi Perfect over the bathtub or other similar collection area.
A popular saying claims that it’s the little things that make us happy. I have to agree that the Pedi Perfect is one of those little things which has made my life happier in a miniscule way. A task that was previously too challenging for me to handle is now easy and painless to perform. Sometimes technology can really make life a little easier!
© 2015 Elizabeth Galen, Ph.D., Green Heart Guidance, LLC