INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you have calluses, try soaking your feet on a regular basis to soften the dry and dead skin.  Softening the skin with a warm water and mild soap foot bath will make removing that skin much easier.  Use warm water instead of hot water.  Hot water can dry out your skin and irritate your feet. If you have diabetes, the you should wash your feet every day. Use lukewarm water with a mild soap and dry your feet well. Then, moisturize you feet with some lotion, petroleum jelly, or baby oil. After you’ve soaked your feet, or had a shower or bath, use a pumice stone, foot file or emery board to remove excess dead skin from your calluses.  Pumice stones and foot files work better if you wet them in warm water before using them. If you do not have a pumice stone, foot file or emery board, you can also use a wash cloth to scrub away the dead skin. After you’ve scrubbed your feet, apply moisturizer to your feet to lock in the moisture and keep the skin on your feet soft and pliable. If you have diabetes, make sure that you ask your doctor before using a pumice stone to remove calluses. Calluses (and corns) develop on areas of your feet that rub against your shoes and socks when you’re walking.  You might find you have some shoes that are worse than others in this regard.  Your first choice should be to wear shoes that fit properly so they do not cause calluses or corns, but as an alternative you can use over-the-counter unmedicated pads to protect your feet.  These pads come in various sizes and shapes for different parts of your feet, but they also come in larger-sized squares that can be cut to size for whatever area you want. Some of these pads come in a medicated version, however you should avoid the medicated versions unless directed to use them by a doctor. If you have calluses or corns that have become extremely painful or swollen, you should consider making an appointment to see your doctor to discuss the best course of action.  A doctor has the proper facilities and equipment to potentially cut off the excess skin from a callus or corn.  This should never be done at home.  A doctor may also suggest or prescribe an antibiotic ointment (like Polysporin) to use on a corn or callus if it has become infected, or there is the possibility it will become infected. There are several medicinal options to help with calluses that your doctor may suggest.  Small patches that contain a 40% salicylic acid solution can be used directly on a callus or corn to help soften the skin for easier removal.  These patches can be purchased over-the-counter at a drug store under several brand names.  If you doctor does not provide instructions on when and how often to use these patches, follow the instructions on the package. Prescription-strength salicylic acid gel is also available for areas larger than a patch can cover. You should only use salicylic acid with a doctor’s guidance.  Because it is an acid, it does have the ability to burn and irritate your skin, which in turn can lead to an infection.  Your doctor will instruct you on which products to use, how often to use them, and how much to use each time. One reason you may have calluses is due to a foot deformity.  The deformity could be quite minor, but it could be enough to cause excess rubbing of certain parts of your feet against the insides of your shoes.  Obtaining custom-made shoe inserts or orthotics could help fix the deformity and reduce your chances of getting a callus.

SUMMARY: Soak your feet on a regular basis. Remove your calluses with a pumice stone or foot file. Protect certain parts of your feet. Make an appointment to see your doctor. Use callus-removing medication. Obtain custom-made shoe inserts.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Measuring the front is easiest because there are no protruding ports. Make sure to measure all the way to the end of any rounded edges. If you need to know the width in centimeters but only have the inches measurement, multiply the inches by 2.54 to find the measurement in centimeters.  For example, a 14 inch wide laptop is 35.6 centimeters (14 x 2.54 = 35.56).

SUMMARY: Start the tape measure at the front left or right corner. Measure straight across the front of the laptop to the other front corner. Convert inches to centimeters (if necessary).


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Check out your parent’s house and look at how bad their hoarding problem is. Notice whether rooms are being used for their intended purpose, whether surfaces and furniture are clear or covered in clutter, and whether there are any sanitation problems in the house, such as rotten food or pests. Take note of structural or fire hazards like floors caving because of excess weight or clutter piled near heaters or appliances. Mild hoarding is usually easier to deal with, but it may escalate to more severe hoarding if left unchecked. That is why it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Hoarding can be divided into five levels of severity. These first two levels reflect minimal severity.  The first level indicates no hoarding tendencies. Clutter is minimal and the house is sanitary. Level two indicates a mild hoarding problem. Look for signs like a doorway that’s blocked by clutter or a broken appliance. Other indications include small amounts of dust and mildew on surfaces, at least two rooms with significant clutter, and a mild to moderate rodent or insect problem. Level three indicates moderate hoarding. At this level, clutter is visible on the porch or in the yard. There are pathways through the clutter in the house and significant sanitation problems, such as overflowing garbage bins and pet accidents. The last two levels of hoarding are extreme and require immediate action. Allowing your parents to continue to live this way may be hazardous to their health.  Level four hoarding involves structural damage to the house, such as damaged walls and mold problems. The person may have too many pets. Health hazards like rotting food, pest infestations, and pet feces are present. Level five hoarding renders the house unlivable. There may be no water or electricity. The house contains fire hazards or hazardous materials. Insects, rodents, and other animals may be living in the house.

SUMMARY: Evaluate the problem. Know how to recognize mild problems with hoarding. Notice signs of moderate hoarding. Be aware of severe forms of hoarding.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: There are a number of ways to turn, but one of the simplest is to lift one ski just off of the snow. This will turn your body in that direction. So if you want to turn to the left, slightly lift your left ski. If you want to turn right, slightly lift your right ski.  Also turn by twisting your hips in the direction you want to go. Twisting your hips will turn your skis in the direction you want to go. You can also try pushing down harder on the ski opposite to the direction you want to turn. To turn left, push down on the right-side ski, and the edges of your skis will turn you. The simplest stopping technique is the wedge or snowplow method. Turn the front tips of your skis so they are close together, and the back tips are far away from each other, a shape like a slice of pizza or a wedge. To stop completely, get the back of your skis as far apart as you can without having the front tips touching each other.  Point your toes toward each other gradually. If you point your toes together with a quick movement you are likely to throw off your balance. Practice stopping from slow speeds until you get the hang of it. How early you slow down depends on how long the hill is and how fast you are going. For small hills, you should slow down in the last 20 yards or so. On larger hills at higher speeds, look to slow down in the last 20% of the hill. Doing online research is great, but nothing beats having an instructor to give you specific instruction and feedback. Sign up for lessons before you get to the ski resort or ask about beginner classes when you arrive. You may have the option of group classes with other beginners or private lessons, which usually cost more.

SUMMARY:
Turn by lifting the ski on the side you want to turn toward. Stop by pointing your toes toward each other. Take a ski lesson.