Dry feet

Beautiful, chiseled legs are every woman's dream, and men are not indifferent to their appearance either, but the problem that arises with them causes psychological and sometimes physical discomfort to their owner. For example, dry skin on the legs is not only an aesthetic problem, but also a medical one.

Causes of dry skin on feet

In order to effectively combat the problem that has arisen, it is necessary to know the causes of dry skin on the feet and isolate the one that has become the source that provoked the specific problem.

One of the most important and most common problems, doctors and cosmetologists call moisture deficiency in the cells of the dermis and in its subcutaneous layers. If the lack of fluid is observed for a long enough time, you can even visually observe the manifestation of this deficiency. It is expressed by certain symptoms: xerosis, peeling, cracks, itching and others. The main sources leading to fluid deficiency can be:

• Disruption in the circulatory system. If for some reason there is a disruption in the volume of blood circulation, the organs and systems of the body stop receiving sufficient amounts of nutrients, oxygen and fluid.
• Wearing clothes (trousers, socks, tights, compression underwear) and shoes puts pressure on the body, worsening the blood flow of the area. Addiction to such clothes can not only result in cosmetic unattractiveness of the skin, but also cause more serious complications, such as varicose veins, stagnant processes in them, and so on.
• The reason for such development can be not only tight but also synthetic underwear. Such material does not "breathe" well, not allowing the epidermis to do so, which undoubtedly affects the water-salt balance of the epidermis.
• The widespread and thoughtless passion for new-fangled personal hygiene products, the acidity of which in the overwhelming majority tends towards increased alkalinity, drying out the dermis. This becomes especially noticeable with age, when aging skin already becomes drier due to age-related changes occurring in it.
• Improper care.
• Stressful situations.
• In the cold season, the epidermis on the legs becomes drier. This is a consequence of the dryness of a heated room and prolonged contact with rough fabrics of woolen and synthetic tights, leotards, socks.
• Deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the human body first of all affects the condition of the epidermis. Especially such a reaction can be expected from the lack of such vitamins as A, E and a number of B.
• In the summer, dry skin on the feet can be observed after excessive sunbathing or walking barefoot on hot sand.
• Sometimes xerosis of the skin can be caused by one of the dermatological diseases:
  • Fungal diseases. For example, mycosis.
  • Dermatological diseases. For example, psoriasis, eczema.
• Diseases of the endocrine system. For example, diabetes and others.
• An allergic reaction of the body to an external irritant or the use of certain medications.
• Worm infestation.

Dry and flaky skin on the feet

Many women and men are meticulous about their skin on their face and hands, constantly caring for them, but for some reason they forget to do the same for their feet. Therefore, the appearance of tightness, dry scales on the skin of our feet does not add to their attractiveness, and the owner of such limbs begins to feel discomfort.

Only over time, when the problem becomes more obvious and after the dry crust on the heels, small and then deeper cracks gradually appear, only then does a person begin to think about the fact that care is necessary not only for the hands and face, but also for the whole body, including the epidermis of the feet.

This becomes especially relevant for people who have crossed the forty-year mark, when age-related changes that begin to occur in the human body are added to the problems of care.

Dry and flaky skin on the legs is a symptom of a lack of moisture in the cells and intercellular zone. And it is precisely on its restoration that you should direct your action. Only by restoring the necessary water-salt balance of the body, can we talk about effective work on the problem. You can also approach it comprehensively, consuming the required amount of liquid, and at the same time nourishing and moisturizing the skin locally, applying specially developed creams, masks, aromatic oils, using unrefined vegetable oil.

The complex of measures should also include measures that cleanse the dermis. This is a mandatory shower or bath, and the use of cleansing scrubs is possible.

For many decades and centuries, women have always wanted to look good, so many folk medicine recipes have survived to this day that effectively combat the problem. Modern women (and men) can easily take them into service.

But if peeling of the skin is observed on the legs, it is advisable to consult a local therapist or dermatologist, since these symptoms may also indicate the presence of a serious disease in the human body. Therefore, timely contact with a qualified specialist will allow you to start treatment as soon as possible, which will not allow the problem to worsen with various complications, and may even save the patient's life.

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Dry and itchy skin on the legs

Manifestations of itching can be both generalized (throughout the body) and local. A combination of symptoms such as dry and itchy skin on the legs may indicate the presence of the following diseases in the victim's medical history:

• Presence of fungal infection.
• Dermatological disease: psoriasis, eczema.
• An allergic reaction to taking any medication.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• The presence of worms in a person.
• Dysfunctions of sweat and sebaceous glands.
• Disorders of the digestive tract.
• Vascular diseases: varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, etc.
• Often the cause of itching and xerosis of the skin is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, that is, direct sunlight.
• These symptoms can be caused by low humidity in a room where a person is located for a long time.
• Insect bite.
• A reaction to the application of a certain cosmetic product.
• Reaction to synthetic or wool clothing.
• Reaction to household chemicals.

Dry skin on the shins

The skin of this area of the body itself has nine times fewer sebaceous glands than other areas. Therefore, any negative impact on the body or specifically on the area in question, and the reaction of the dermis is immediate.

But dry skin on the shin can be caused not only by thick wool or synthetic tights, tight trousers, but also, on the contrary, by a lack of heat, hypothermia of this area of the body. The cause can also be improper shaving of the body area in question, since the upper microscopic layer of the epidermis is removed along with the hairs.

Also, in winter, the air in the room usually becomes dry due to heating, which does not add moisture to the skin.

That is why modern women's magazines are full of all kinds of skin care products not only for hands and face, but also for feet. Such qualified specialists as dermatologists, cosmetologists and others agree with this idea. Timely appeal to them for help will allow you to remove many unpleasant moments, and even protect you from a more serious disease.

Therefore, if a person notices dry skin on their shins, and the situation continues to worsen, they should not delay going to the doctor.

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Dry skin of the feet

Our skin is provided with important functions by the body: its protection from the external environment, respiratory function, solution of the problem of utilization and removal of metabolic products, correction of thermoregulation processes. Due to the high responsibility of the epidermis for our body, its condition should be treated with special attention.

Therefore, if a person begins to feel discomfort caused by dry skin on the feet, this problem should not be ignored. This symptom indicates a decrease in lipids in the dermis and a deterioration in its barrier function, which is fraught with the occurrence of fungal diseases, as well as pathologies of a different nature.

Dry skin on the legs, and more specifically on the feet, is a fairly common problem that equally affects the health of both men and women.

In summer, the problem of increased dehydration of the sole becomes especially noticeable. In most cases, it is aggravated if a person often walks barefoot on hot ground. On the one hand, touching with a bare foot is useful, because the human foot probably has the largest number of acupuncture points, the massage of which has a beneficial effect on all organs and systems of the human body. But walking barefoot also brings many hidden problems: increased drying of the skin, and an increased likelihood of "catching" some kind of disease. For example, it could be one of the fungal infections.

But if the problem exists, it is difficult to hide it in open summer shoes. Therefore, in addition to physical discomfort, a person begins to experience psychological discomfort. Doctors recommend year-round care of feet and legs in general, rather than trying to make up for lost time in one day, just before showing them to others.

The main causes of dry feet are similar to those inherent in dehydration of the skin of all lower limbs. An additional reason can only be uncomfortable, tight shoes, as well as those made of unnatural materials. They do not allow the dermis to breathe, which only worsens the situation. On the sole, the keratinized layer of the epidermis is much thicker than on other parts of the body, so it requires more thorough and appropriate care.

This situation is also dangerous because xerosis of the skin, if adequate measures are not taken, can worsen over time with the appearance of cracks and inflammation. Improper care or lack of constant hygiene allows pathogenic flora to freely penetrate into the body, causing diseases and pathological complications.

Dry skin on the feet of a child

A small person cannot yet correctly assess the condition of his epidermis. Such responsibility falls entirely on adults. They are the ones who must ensure that the temperature in the room where the children are is adequate, and the humidity is within acceptable limits. The baby needs to drink enough liquid - this will also save the sensitive human body from dehydration, normalizing its not yet perfect thermoregulation system.

A small child suffers from almost the same diseases as an adult, only the response of his body manifests itself faster and can proceed more acutely. Therefore, if parents have detected dry skin of the legs of a child, it is necessary to take urgent adequate measures.

• Check the baby's clothes, they should be appropriate for the weather. Avoid overheating or overcooling. Both are harmful to the skin.
• When bathing your baby, the water in the bath should not be too hot.
• Avoid synthetic materials in clothing and footwear.
• The baby's bedding should also be made from natural fabrics.
• Practice constant ventilation of the room where the child lives and plays.
• Avoid contact with household chemicals.
• Soap, shampoo, bath foam and conditioner should be of high quality and developed specifically for sensitive children's epidermis.
• Regular wet cleaning of rooms will increase the humidity of the room and remove dust, which is a strong allergen, the reaction to which can lead to the manifestation of various symptoms, including dry skin of the feet.
• You should not allow your child to stay under the scorching rays of the sun for a long time.
• Make sure your baby gets enough fluids.
• His diet should be balanced and complete, rich in minerals, microelements and vitamins.
• Minimize the use of air conditioners and heating devices. They dry out the air in the room.
• If a baby wets or poops, you must immediately change the diaper and wash the baby's skin.

The child's body is vulnerable, so even a common cold or acute respiratory viral infection can cause the pathology in question on the body of a small patient. Therefore, when the first signs of the disease appear, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician who will give the necessary recommendations for eliminating the disease.

Not only the baby's clothes and shoes should be natural. This requirement is also true for the toys the child plays with. It may happen that the child is dressed, sleeps and plays on things made of natural material, but parents sometimes do not even think about how dangerous a new doll with synthetic hair and in a bright dress can be. Or a soft teddy bear that the baby never parts with (if it is made of artificial plush and filled with material of dubious quality).

When washing children's clothes, you should rinse the material thoroughly (preferably at least three times) to remove as much of the spiral powder or other chemicals as possible.

It is worth monitoring what the baby drinks. Modern sweet waters, from which supermarket shelves are bursting, not only will not bring any benefit to the little organism, they can cause it significant harm. And xerosis of the skin - this may be only the flowers of the problem that has arisen, and the berries can become much worse. It will be better if he drinks simple clean water, homemade juices and fruit compotes.

After eliminating possible catalysts, you should observe the baby for a couple of days. If the situation has not changed for the better, then you should, without delay, make an appointment with a qualified specialist who will help establish the cause of the pathology and develop a system for its elimination. After all, pathological changes affecting the digestive tract and other internal organs can lead to such symptoms.

If the baby's age allows, it is desirable to have the following products on his table:

• Cucumbers and pumpkin.
• Tomatoes and citrus fruits.
• Apricot and sweet pepper.
• Melon and strawberries.
• Spinach (other leafy salads).
• Watermelon and grapes.
• Asparagus and carrots.
• Onion and garlic.
• Cabbage and eggs.
• Dairy and fermented milk products are also useful.
• Butter and vegetable oil.

A child's diet should contain a lot of vegetables and fruits, but a minimum of sweets, flour products and fats.

A sudden change in weather can also bring an unpleasant gift. Frost and piercing wind, a sunny day can be replaced by pouring rain. The child's epidermis should be ready for such changes and protected from adversity. Special cosmetic products, developed and manufactured specifically for delicate children's skin, can help with this.

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Treatment of dry skin of the feet

If a person notices signs of dry epidermis in themselves or their child, this moment should not be ignored. After all, the problem can worsen and lead to serious complications or be a symptom of some pathological change in the human body.

Due to the diversity of possible catalysts for the problem, treatment of dry skin on the feet should primarily begin with eliminating household sources, adjusting nutrition, clothing, and bringing hygiene procedures back to normal.

You should take the products that are present on the family table more seriously. It should be rich in fruits and vegetables, cereals, fish. The daily diet should not allow the development of vitamin deficiency. It is advisable to minimize or even completely exclude fast food products, products that contain numerous "E"s: stabilizers, dyes, preservatives, flavors. Eliminate sweet carbonated water, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages.

Water plays a major role in the normal condition of the skin: its quantity and quality. A healthy adult should drink at least two liters of liquid (including water) per day. In addition to saturating the body with moisture, water improves metabolic processes and starts regeneration processes. The individual water norm is calculated quite easily: multiply the person's weight in kilograms by 30 ml, and divide the resulting number by 1000. The result of the calculation will be the required minimum number of liters of daily liquid.

The approach to stopping the problem in question should be comprehensive. Therefore, in addition to nutrition and living conditions, it is worth regularly carrying out activities to moisturize and nourish the epidermis of not only the hands and face, but also the feet and the whole body.

It would not be superfluous to take a multivitamin complex, which must necessarily include vitamin A (responsible for the smoothness and elasticity of the dermis) and vitamin E, which is the nutrition of cells. On the pharmacy counter today you can find many drugs related to this pharmacological group: vitrum, sana-sol, dekamevit, elevit pronatal, fenyuls, centrum, selmevit, moriamin and many others.

The multivitamin complex Vitrum is taken orally after meals, one tablet per day. The only contraindication to the administration of this drug may be increased intolerance to one or more components of the composition, as well as hypervitaminosis of vitamin A present in the patient's medical history.

Creams, baths, masks, both industrially prepared and traditional medicine recipes are also suitable for moisturizing and nourishing.

At home, you can prepare masks and scrubs that effectively not only nourish, but also moisturize the dermis:

• Take one yolk, a tablespoon of mashed potatoes, a teaspoon of butter and two tablespoons of crushed baby soap. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Apply the resulting mixture to the problem area. Put a plastic bag on top, and you can put on a wool sock, knee socks or leg warmers. Keep the nourishing mixture on your foot for 20-30 minutes. After the time is up, wash off the “medicine” with warm water and apply a nourishing cream to the epidermis. It is advisable to do this twice a week, before going to bed.
• You can also wash and steam your skin before the main procedure. After the pores have opened, gently rub in any of the aromatic oils. This can be patchouli oil, coconut or olive essential oil, sandalwood oil and others that nourish the skin. To increase the effectiveness, you can add vitamins E and A (available in capsules) to the aromatic oils, purchased at a pharmacy.
• Fungal manifestations can be relieved with special pharmacological ointments or a composition prepared at home. In this situation, sour cream or cream will do, into which two or three drops of essential oil with antifungal properties are added. For example, this could be tea tree oil. The composition is applied to the problem area for half an hour, after which it is washed off with a warm shower. You should only carefully select essential oils. They should be natural and not cause an allergic reaction of the body.
• Another nutritious composition is made with milk. Add pieces of apple pulp to a small amount and put on low heat. Stir until a homogeneous mass is formed. Lightly mash it with a masher. Cool the creamy mass and apply to the skin. The procedure should take about half an hour, after which the composition is washed off and the surface of the epidermis is saturated with essential oil. Periodic prophylaxis with such a mixture helps prevent the formation of cracks and keratinization of the covering layer.
• You can prepare the following mask: take two tablespoons of high-fat cottage cheese (preferably homemade, because store-bought has many different additives and it’s good if it won’t cause harm), a tablespoon of natural honey and a tablespoon of sour cream (also fatty). Mix the ingredients well. If the honey has crystallized, you can make it liquid in a water bath. Rub the resulting mixture thoroughly into the skin of your feet, carefully treating the heels, feet, shins and above. Keep the mixture on for 30-40 minutes. To enhance the effect, you can wrap each foot separately in cling film, pulling it over your socks. This will improve the result of the procedure, as well as allow you to move freely during it and not be constrained in your movements. After the procedure, rinse your feet and apply a moisturizing and nourishing cream to them.
• To remove the keratinized layer on the heels and soles, you should steam your feet in hot water for 10-15 minutes. After that, remove the dead layer with pumice, or perform a peeling procedure using a cleansing scrub. After that, soak the treated area with cream.
• Paraffin therapy has been used effectively for a long time. Until recently, such a procedure could only be done in a cosmetology institution or a clinic. Today, everything you need can be purchased at any pharmacy and done at home. Cosmetic wax is melted and applied to the epidermis in a thin film, after it hardens, a second and third layer is applied, over which the foot is wrapped in cellophane film. A blanket or terry towel is wrapped over the film. After 30 minutes, the wax is removed. The softened skin on the heels and feet is passed with a pumice stone and treated with cream.
• If cracks appear on the heels, this is an “open gate” for fungal infection or fungal infection. A local inflammatory process begins in this area. To prevent this, you can take herbal baths. For such procedures, medicinal herbs with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action are taken. These can be decoctions and tinctures of oak bark, sage leaves, hop cones, chamomile or calendula flowers. Feet are dipped in this warm decoction and infused for about 15 minutes. After the time has elapsed, they are carefully blotted with a clean towel, lubricated with a nourishing and moisturizing cream or essential oil.
• Castor oil softens the skin perfectly. It can be applied to the rough epidermis of the foot and heel, and the shin should not be ignored. Wrap the legs with cling film and put on socks to keep them warm. This procedure can be done at night.
• A similar procedure can be carried out by using olive mayonnaise instead of castor oil. It can be prepared at home. The mayonnaise recipe is easy to find on social networks, and instead of sunflower vegetable oil, use olive oil.
• Mash one ripe banana with the yolk of one egg. This gruel perfectly softens and moisturizes the skin. The banana pulp can be replaced with melon. The composition is applied to the skin, fixed with cling film and warmed with socks or a blanket.
• It is important to know that people who have a tendency to dry skin should not take a bath or shower for more than ten minutes. Otherwise, the situation will only get worse.
• Peel and chop young zucchini. Mix two tablespoons of the mixture with a tablespoon of heavy cream. Use this mixture as a mask for dry skin on your feet, which has a moisturizing effect.

Dry skin of the feet is an age-neutral problem, equally affecting different categories of the population, but worsening with age (due to age-related changes that occur in the human body). Therefore, foot care, as well as the whole body, should begin from childhood. The best treatment for the disease is its prevention.

Cream for dry skin of feet

Dry and irritated skin needs special care. And along with home remedies, preparations produced by cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies are used. Complex measures are most effective for bringing the epidermis to a normal healthy state.

If you have a problem with dry skin on your feet, you need to moisturize it and nourish it with useful substances and vitamins. When choosing a product, a cream for dry skin on your feet should contain one or more of the following chemical compounds:

• Hyaluronic acid, which normalizes the water-salt balance of the skin, stimulates its protective functions.
• Panthenol enhances regeneration processes, activating cell renewal.
• Silicic acid helps restore the epidermis.
• Beeswax forms a protective layer, preventing increased fluid loss, nourishes the epidermal layers with useful and essential substances.
• Concentrated aloe juice softens the dermis, making it elastic and resilient. Perfectly stops inflammatory processes, has a healing effect on wounds and cracks.
• The extracts of calendula, chamomile and celandine included in the composition heal wounds, relieve inflammation, and soothe irritated epidermis.

It should be remembered that after taking water procedures, moisturizing and nourishing creams should be applied immediately (within three to five minutes) after a shower or bath, until the moisture has evaporated from the surface of the dermis.

The modern cosmetics market is filled with numerous diverse products. Today, on the shelves of pharmacies and cosmetic departments of supermarkets, you can find products from leading cosmetic companies and pharmaceutical companies. Therefore, choosing a cream for dry skin to moisturize and nourish the epidermis of the lower extremities today is not difficult. A wide range of these products allows you to choose a cream that suits you individually both in composition, quality, and price.

If a person has his own preferences and trust in a specific company, then he will not have to give it up. Today, such goods are represented by the companies NIVEA (Sweden), Lab Filorga (France), Alfred Amour Garnier (France), Faberlic (Russia), Oriflame (Sweden), Dr. Baumann (Germany), Zhivaya Kosmetika Sibiri (Russia), Fora-Pharm (Russia), Jason Natural Cosmetics (USA), Weleda (Switzerland) and many others. We can also recall some of the names of the product in question. Moisturizing and nourishing creams: sea buckthorn cream healing for cracks, moisturizing foot cream with grape seed oil, sea buckthorn nourishing foot cream natura siberica, cream - balm for feet restoring dr. sante, foot peeling cream "renewal and softening of the epidermis" - natura siberica, cream "for all occasions" - home doctor fast-acting antiseptic.

If the cause of dry skin on the feet is one of the dermatological diseases, it becomes necessary to use external creams with antifungal, anti-infective and antiseptic properties.

Here we can recall the ointment Radevit, which is used in the presence of damage and cracks on the skin. This composition is applied to the affected area twice a day. An occlusive dressing is applied on top. Long-term use of the drug is permissible, without the risk of side effects.

Contraindications for the use of this drug include individual intolerance to the components of the drug, as well as hypervitaminosis of vitamins such as A, E, D.

The drug that improves tissue regeneration, D-panthenol, is used for external use. It is prescribed if the skin has received a household or sunburn, or if there are violations of the integrity of the dermis caused by other reasons.

The preparation is applied to the surface of the damaged area several times during the day with an interval of 20-30 minutes. The cream is applied quite generously.

It should be remembered that all external creams and ointments should be applied only to clean skin.

A contraindication for the use of D-panthenol is hypersensitivity to dexpanthenol or other components of the drug.

To care for dry and nourished epidermis, you can use creams that contain essential oils with medicinal properties. They should have the ability to soothe irritated skin, nourish it and stabilize the water-salt balance of the epidermis and subcutaneous layers. The following aromatic oils are suitable for solving this problem:

• Peach.
• Sesame.
• Tea tree.
• Olive.
• Jojoba.
• Almond.
• Apricot.
• Coconut.
• Sea buckthorn.
• And others with corresponding characteristics.

Prevention of dry skin on feet

"Take care of your honor from a young age." This proverb, in light of the problem under consideration, can be altered to mean "take care of your feet from a young age." For some reason, many people believe that face and hand care are necessary, forgetting to pay attention to their feet. They are remembered only when they are embarrassed to show them on the beach or a real medical problem arises that causes discomfort to its owner.

Therefore, preventing dry skin on the feet is not a whim, but an urgent necessity if a person wants to have not only beautiful, but also healthy legs.

There are several recommendations that can help maintain the epidermis layer in a normal state.

• First of all, you need to review your diet. It should be balanced. A person should receive the daily norm of vitamins and minerals. It is necessary to minimize the intake of "harmful" products.
• It is worth monitoring your weight, avoiding overeating and obesity.
• The daily routine must be designed in such a way that mental and physical activity is proportionately combined with adequate rest.
• It is advisable to wear comfortable clothes and shoes made from natural materials.
• If you are ill, you should seek help from a qualified specialist and completely stop the disease. It is very important to get proper treatment.
• Do not ignore the rules of personal hygiene, which are not limited to brushing your teeth in the morning. The entire body needs care, including your feet.
• The skin of the lower extremities should be washed regularly, cleansed of dead cells, and then moisturized and nourished with external creams and masks.
• You should not get carried away with prolonged exposure to the scorching rays of the sun or solarium. Their rays dry out the epidermis.
• The premises where people live or work should be regularly ventilated. It is absolutely necessary to constantly carry out wet cleaning. It is advisable to use air humidifiers.
• Depilation should be carried out correctly, followed by moisturizing and nourishing the treated area of skin.
• In public places, you should not walk on the floor barefoot without shoes (swimming pool, sauna, beach, etc.).
• Eliminate physical inactivity from your life. Physical exercise, jogging and walking will improve blood circulation, which will activate the flow of nutrients, oxygen and fluid to the cells.
• You should not be too zealous when taking a shower (this is especially true for people whose skin is prone to xerosis). You should take water procedures for no more than 10 minutes, as the condition of the skin may worsen.
• When taking a bath or shower, you should not use very hot water.
• Shower gels, soaps, bath foams and other cosmetics should be of high quality, have a soft base and a pH value close to normal.
• After the bath, it is advisable not to rub the skin, but to pat it dry with a soft towel.
• Avoid overheating or overcooling the epidermis.
• Handle household chemicals with care.
• Give up bad habits.

If a person leads a healthy lifestyle and pays special attention to his body, adhering to the recommendations given above, then the probability of the occurrence of the problem in question quickly drops to zero.

A person's face and hands are always in sight, and legs are often hidden under trousers, long skirts and tights, so many do not consider it necessary to pay the necessary attention to them. And only when dry skin on the legs appears, some think about the reason for such a reaction of the body. But our entire body needs care, including the epidermis of the lower extremities. If regular and proper care is carried out for the skin of the legs, they will thank their owner with ease of walking and a beautiful appearance. Such legs will not be embarrassing to show to others, decorating them with high heels and a short stylish dress. Men will enjoy comfort and health.