A Common Tea Could Make Your Workouts More Effective

Posted on 20/07/2026 by Boris Clair

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about how good green tea can be for our brain and how its powerful antioxidants could even help to lower dementia risk.

As it turns out, it could prove an excellent way to boost your performance at the gym, as well as aiding in your recovery.

Research suggests that either the drink itself, or a green tea extract, could improve everything from your antioxidant balance during exercise to how well your muscles hold up afterwards.

How can green tea help my workouts?

1) Green tea extract could help your muscles to recover

A 2018 paper found that green tea extract could help to “reduce the marker of muscle damage after exercise”, though it didn’t make participants’ muscles less sore after a gruelling workout.

This “suggests the green tea extract supplementation has positive effects on muscle recovery after strenuous exercise”.

2) Green tea might diminish oxidative stress

Meanwhile, 2021 research suggested that the antioxidants present in green tea (the kind you drink, not a supplement or extract) could help to diminish “oxidative stress” on our bodies while we’re pushing ourselves in the gym.

Oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals, which can harm cells, and antioxidants, which neutralise them. This imbalance can sometimes lead to cell damage and can happen during excessive or very heavy exercise.

This research found that “the consumption of green tea during and following exercise can lower oxidative stress,” though the authors added more research is needed. A separate study noted that most people will need to consume green tea regularly for at least a week to see “significant differences” here.

3) Green tea extract could help you last longer during exercise – and may help you burn more fat while doing so

Lastly, green tea extract might help you to burn more fat and push yourself further during workouts, too.

At least, that’s according to a 2025 paper, which focused on the effects of ginger and green tea extracts on active men in different temperatures.

Only green tea extract seemed to consistently improve their cycling endurance and energy efficiency while working out – meaning it relied more on the burning of fat than carbohydrates to power the men’s workouts.

The Rarest Personality Type Is ‘Misunderstood’, Psychologist Says

Posted on 18/07/2026 by Boris Clair

If you’ve ever done a personality quiz, you’ve probably heard of the Myers-Briggs personality types.

These are assigned based on tests that measure people’s levels of extroversion (E), introversion (I), sensing (S), intuition (N), thinking (T), feeling (F), judging (J) and perceiving (P). Our balance of these factors is meant to reflect how we receive and give energy (E or I), take in information (S and N), reach conclusions (T and F) and relate to the outside world (J and P).

In total, there 16 Myers-Briggs personality types, made up of different combinations of these four traits.

And the rarest kind seems to be INFJ, which describes around just 1.5% of the population.

We spoke to psychologist and CEO of Male Allies UK, Lee Chambers, about what INFJ personality types usually experience, and how they’re often “misunderstood”…

What does an INFJ personality type mean?

INFJs score highly on introversion, intuition, feeling and judging.

They may “seek meaning and connection in ideas, relationships, and material possessions”, Myers-Briggs’ site reads.

Chambers explained that INFJs will often “look calm on the outside while processing a lot on the inside”.

“They tend to be intense, while also being quiet, enjoying time with a small, close-knit group, going deep in conversation, [and] actively listening, before stepping away to recharge alone,” he continued. “They are likely to enjoy routine, space to reflect, and doing things that have meaning.”

He added: “They tend to be well attuned to the energy of rooms of people, often care deeply about the feelings of others, and prefer harmony, while having low tolerance for bravado, small talk, and things they perceive as shallow.”

How do INFJs connect with others?

The psychologist said this personality type tends to enjoy meaningful activities with people who share a passion for what matters to them.

“But they also find joy in space to reflect, expression through creativity and feeling in alignment,” he noted.

“A slower, deeper type of connection, with just a few people, tends to create the trust that this personality type values. And many have a personal mission they are on, that they get happiness from bringing to the world.”

How are INFJs perceived?

Chambers added that INFJs are “easily misunderstood, their quietness mistaken for being cold and secretive”.

Their empathy can make them seem like a “soft touch” to some, while others might think their deep caring tendencies mean they’re constantly emotionally available.

In reality, though, the expert said INFJs need “solitude to recharge”.

Meanwhile, their capacity for deep thought might sometimes make them appear overly serious.

“While every INFJ is an individual, they are likely to listen more than they speak, always look like they have it together (even when they don’t), are good at picking up emotional undercurrents, and remember the thing others miss,” he ended.

We’re Mediums, Here’s What We Want People To Know About Death

Posted on 18/07/2026 by Boris Clair

There are many perspectives the general public holds about death that mediums personally feel are untrue.

A medium’s main job is to help people connect with loved ones who have died; they see themselves as middlemen who communicate messages and bridge the gap between the physical and non-physical world, according to medium Alexis Williams. What’s more, some serve as a guiding light to navigate death, which is something so many people struggle to understand.

“The medium essentially becomes the antenna between worlds. What mediums train themselves to do to effectively receive messages is move or shift their own thoughts and awareness to the side and be completely open and receptive to the impressions that come to them from the consciousness they are connecting with,” Williams told HuffPost.

Mediums believe they have a unique and personal connection to death that many people do not – from what happens to our souls after we die to what the transition to the afterlife looks like. They navigate various religions, beliefs and fears people have about dying.

Here’s what they want you to know about their experiences with death.

1. Death is not a “door closing,” but a chance for a continued relationship

While we may no longer be able to talk to those who have died the way we did when they were alive, Williams said the biggest misconception she feels people have about death is that it’s a complete ending.

“Most people think of death as a door closing, when what I experience over and over is that it’s a frequency shift,” she said.

The communication may look different, but you don’t need a medium to tell your loved ones what you want to say. “They are always around and hear you,” medium Emilee Koch told HuffPost. This continues your relationship in a new way, one that allows you to remain connected with them until you’re reunited again.

“I wish people understood that dying does not mean you are no longer existing,” medium Naomi Attar said. “There are pieces of you that continue, just not in physical form. Our loved ones visit us frequently and try to speak to us. Everyone can listen to their loved ones in spirit; the issue is that most don’t listen.”

“Our consciousness lives on, our memories live on, the love we have for others lives on, and we’re not finished learning even on the other side,” Attar added.

Also, mediums believe our loved ones send us signs when they die. “We just have to pay attention. They would never abandon you, and they send signs so you know how much you still mean to them,” Attar said.

This could look like them appearing in dreams, songs that come on in the right moment, conversations with other people and other physical signs. It’s a new, unique way to stay connected with you.

2. A fear of death is normal, but limiting

Death can be scary for so many people, and that fear may impact how you view what happens after someone dies. It may also affect your belief in what happens to us after dying.

“When the body is in fear, it narrows what we’re able to take in, physically and energetically, and the possibilities we believe are available,” Williams said.

The perception of death can vary from person to person. Some believe in heaven and hell, others believe there is no afterlife, and so many of us simply aren’t sure what happens after you die. But no matter what you believe in, dying can be a scary thing to think about, and it’s normal to fear it.

“We fear what we don’t understand. It can be difficult to understand something we have not experienced. Some need to be proven differently but will still find ways to excuse it,” Attar said.

“I also find people can be fearful of the opposite – what if there is no afterlife? They want to believe it so badly that the thought of it not being true is fearful itself. But what is fascinating to me is that no matter the cause or reason for fear, they are hyper-focused on the dying itself rather than living their life to the fullest knowing the dying is inevitable.”

3. Death is an opportunity to let go of pain

The dying process differs for everyone, but mediums believe that death presents an opportunity to let go of pain. “Once our soul finally lets go, we are no longer filled with pain, whether emotion or physical,” Koch says.

Others believe that experiences from past lives carry into the next.

“I don’t believe there is one set of rules for [dying or an afterlife], and it is something that no one truly knows with full certainty. Maybe that’s part of the mystery and something we aren’t meant to know until the time comes for each of us,” Attar said.

“What I do know, though, is that we have many lifetimes and carry experiences from other lives into our current one. Some repeat relationships and people across multiple lifetimes. It’s this never-ending journey, and I think that’s beautiful.”

She continues: “Everyone has their own views of what death is like, but what I will say is that when spirit is speaking about their process, they often speak of who was there with them, how they felt, and how much love they had around them. They have told me many times that they are going ‘home,’ but no one really knows what ‘home’ means.”

4. The dead aren’t alone and haven’t left you

Losing a loved one and worrying about them in the afterlife – or wherever – is completely normal. But mediums want you to know that they aren’t alone when their souls let go and cross over. And you aren’t alone either.

“We are greeted with more love than you can imagine while here on earth. A lot of times, people are worried that the person who passed is by themselves, sad or disappointed about something that happened here. They never, ever are,” Koch said.

When someone dies, whether it be a parent, grandparent, friend or spouse, your daily life may completely shift. You aren’t doing the things you used to do with them because they are no longer in this world with us in the way they once were. But our relationship with the deceased still exists – just in a new form.

“I wish more people understood that death isn’t the end of the road for us, or the end of our relationship with our loved ones,” Koch said. “It never makes the grieving process easier, but it does give us hope and comfort knowing our loved ones are still with us.”

You’ve Probably Done These 6 Things At The Pool, But Doctors Say You Shouldn’t

Posted on 18/07/2026 by Boris Clair

There’s nothing quite like spending time by the pool. Cool water. Time with loved ones. A delicious snack. What could be better?

But before you grab your towel and jump in the water, pay attention to a few common poolside habits that doctors wish more swimmers and parents would think twice about.

We spoke to some clinicians about the behaviours they’d personally avoid in and around the pool this summer. Here’s what they had to say:

1. They’d never skip rinsing off before getting in the pool

It might feel pointless, especially if you’re planning to shower afterwards, but a pre-swim rinse matters more than you may realise.

Sweat, sunscreen, body lotions, hair products and natural skin oils all react with chlorine when they hit the water, which reduces chlorine’s ability to kill germs and creates irritating byproducts that can sting eyes and aggravate skin.

That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a quick pre-swim rinse, at least a minute under the shower, to wash off bacteria and other microbes you might unknowingly be carrying in.

This is especially key if “someone is dirty or has sand on them, as to not contaminate the water or clog up filtration systems,” said Dr Chris Bunick, a Yale Medicine dermatologist and associate professor at Yale School of Medicine.

2. They’d never bring glass anywhere near the pool

It’s easy for glass to end up around the pool in the summer, whether from an open bar, poolside cocktails or carrying bottled beverages near the water. However, it can be a risk for both swimmers and people on the deck.

“Broken glass is not a visible hazard. Whether on the pool deck or in the water, it can be nearly invisible,” said Dr Steven Valassis, chair of the emergency department at Hartford HealthCare St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

“When combined with the fact that people are typically barefoot, this can lead to significant lacerations. Nearly 5% of these lacerations are deep enough that they require hospital admission and surgical repair,” he added.

Additionally, glass that ends up in a pool can be especially problematic because even tiny pieces are difficult to detect and remove, sometimes necessitating a full drain as well as professional cleaning, Dr Valassis explained.

The good news is you don’t have to ditch your poolside drink, just the glassware. Try plastic cups or aluminum cans instead.

Leaving a child unattended by the pool — even for a short period of time — can be incredibly dangerous, doctors warn.

3. They’d never leave a child unattended, not even for a minute

The biggest misconception parents get about drowning is that they think they’d hear if their child got into trouble in the water. But the reality is far scarier.

“Drowning is fast, often silent, and can happen to any child. A survey found that 48% of parents mistakenly believe they would hear splashing or crying if a child was in trouble. Sadly, this is often not the case,” Valassis said.

Although swim lessons can help improve water safety skills, the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasises that swim lessons alone do not eliminate a child’s risk of drowning.

Drowning can happen in seconds, according to the CDC, so constant, focused supervision is non-negotiable, no matter how well your child swims.

4. They’d never swim while sick

Even if you’ve been looking forward to a day at the pool, it’s best to sit this one out if you’re feeling under the weather – especially if you’re dealing with a stomach bug.

“Swimming in the pool while sick is generally not a good idea, because further swimming and activity may precipitate nausea, vomiting and add risk for dehydration, all which may make a person more ill,” Dr Bunick said.

There’s also the issue of getting others sick through close contact. “Illnesses can be transmitted through pool water because the chlorine or other chemicals do not necessarily work instantly to stop infectious agents, thus allowing a window of time for infectious agents to pass to other people,” Dr Bunick added.

Emergency room physicians have seen many traumatic injuries from diving into the shallow end of a pool.

5, They’d never swim with an open wound

If you have a fresh scrape, deep cut or surgical incision, it’s best to keep it dry.

“It is best to not swim in the pool with an open wound, especially with a deep scrape or gash,” Dr Bunick said.

“First, the chlorine or other chemicals used to treat the water can further damage tissue in the wound, adding to skin breakdown and inflammation. Second, there is risk of infection of the wound with continued exposure to water, and this risk is increased more if swimming in lake, river or ocean water.”

If you have a minor cut or paper cut, you likely don’t need to skip the pool altogether. Dr Bunick recommended covering the wound with a healing ointment and a waterproof bandage before swimming in chlorinated water.

Just keep an eye on the area afterward, as redness, swelling or drainage could signal an infection that needs further medical attention, he explained.

6. They’d never dive into shallow water

While it may seem unlikely, this scenario is more common than many people realise, especially for children, who can get into trouble without ever reaching the deep end of the water.

“If a child dives into a shallow pool and hits their head on the bottom, the initial impact can cause a head/brain injury. The force is then transmitted from the head to the neck and cervical spine, where the spinal cord can be injured. This can potentially lead to paralysis and, in severe cases, the inability to breathe independently,” Dr Valassis said.

Most of these injuries don’t happen at public pools with lifeguards; they happen at home, Dr Valassis explained. The American Red Cross recommends going feet first into unfamiliar water.

The good news, Dr Valassis emphasised, is that most pool injuries are preventable with basic precautions and awareness. So this summer, swim smart and enjoy the splash.

Here’s Why Cats Really Lick Each Other, And It’s Less Cute Than I Thought

Posted on 17/07/2026 by Boris Clair

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about the heartwarming reason cats might lick their owners, as well as the pretty cute meaning behind a feline headbutt.

So perhaps it’s overdue for us to look at some of the furry friends’ less pure intentions.

According to a new study published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, it turns out that cats’ “allogrooming” – including licking one another – isn’t always as wholesome as it looks.

Instead, the research, led by Morgane Van Belle, a cat behavioural scientist at Ghent University in Belgium, found the action has “multiple social functions”.

Allogrooming should therefore “not be used on its own to infer that the cats are socially bonded,” the study – which involved analysing 106 videos of feline pairs from 53 households – reads.

What does it mean when cats lick one another?

1) To show escalating tension

Sometimes, cats seem to lick each other as a kind of pre-conflict warning sign – like when one cat is annoyed by another pet stealing their favourite sunbathing spot.

This type of licking has been described as “passive-aggressive”.

In this case, the recipient of the lick might flatten their ears to show they’re not exactly loving the interaction.

Allogrooming in this case might be a “subtle agonistic signal to covertly solve conflict,” the paper reads. This type of licking might come alongside head shaking and even striking and biting.

2) To de-escalate a possible fight

Other times, the researchers said, licking can be “used as a form of appeasement to avoid escalation”.

Before a fight gets too serious, one cat might lick another as a way of re-establishing the peace.

“For me, [this] shows that they are quite elegant in the way they resolve conflict,” Van Belle told The New York Times.

“They could walk over and swat another cat in the face to get the blanket it is lying on. Instead, they lick it a little and fuss around. They have these very subtle ways of resolving conflict… that shows they are intelligent and flexible in their behavior, rather than simply being jerks.”

3) To intimidate each other

Some cases involved one cat “leaning over the other one” while licking them, which might be an intimidation or even bullying tactic.

Whatever the reason, the cat being licked in these cases typically shows signs of displeasure.

4) To clean one another

87% of the time, cats licked one another in the head and neck area.

That’s a hard spot for cats to reach by themselves, though it just so happens to be a very enjoyable place for most cats to be groomed, too.

5) To bond

Some licking is used for the adorable reason we assume it is: strengthening social bonds.

This is likely to be true if the cats are also playing together and have synchronised body posture.

Seeking physical contact with another cat, including snuggling, was followed by allogrooming in 41% of cases, for instance.

Licking was also sometimes used to initiate play.

6) To help one another relax

Lastly, licking may help the recipient relax.

Previous research showed that in various animals, “The behaviour has an immediate relaxing effect for the groomee, as it leads to a reduction in heart rate… and a release of beta-endorphins [natural pain and stress relievers].

“More research is needed to further explore and confirm the suggested functions for allogrooming in cats,” the paper ended.

“Ultimately, this knowledge can contribute to the recognition, resolution and prevention of social stress between cats in multi-cat households.”

‘Japanese Manicures’ Are The No-Polish Secret To Effortless Nails

Posted on 16/07/2026 by Boris Clair

If you ask The New York Times, bare nails became a “status symbol” this year. Influencers like Alix Earle have rocked the style, as have the Olsen Twins and Zoë Kravitz.

But anyone who’s spent hours perfecting a “no-makeup” makeup routine will know that that chic, effortless look often relies on a series of artful touches.

It’s pehaps unsurprising then that the Japanese manicure is now trending. This subtle nail style offers a ‘barely there’ look – similar to the manicure Kate Middleton sported at the Wimbledon final this year.

Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, waves from the Royal Box, during the men's singles on day 14 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (Photo by Dave Shopland/Invision/AP) — Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales, waves from the Royal Box, during the men’s singles on day 14 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (Photo by Dave Shopland/Invision/AP)

What is a Japanese manicure?

Though it’s currently trending, the technique is actually ancient (likely hundreds of years old). It involves no polish, no varnish, and no gels.

Popularised across the world by Japanese company P.Shine, the method instead relies on a two-step buffing process with a vitamin-rich paste and powder.

Firstly, the paste, which often contains algae, is carefully massaged into the nail using buffers (usually made of leather). This step is meant to nourish your nails.

Then, the powder (usually containing beeswax) is buffed on top. This step will make your nails seem glossy and shiny, almost as if you’re wearing clear polish.

Results can reportedly last for up to a month.

Is a “Japanese manicure” good for your nails?

Well, it won’t create the damage that gel nails can sometimes cause if they’re left on too long or removed incorrectly. Your nails will be able to “breathe”, and you won’t have to use any polishes, varnishes, and your skin won’t be exposed to UV lamp rays either.

Speaking to Marie Claire, celebrity manicurist Sophia Stylianou said Japanese manicures are perfect for “anyone needing a nail reset, especially if you have weak, peeling, or brittle nails, or are just taking a break from gels or acrylics”.

The expert said the natural ingredients “help restore strength and shine without using polish or harsh chemicals”.

Still, some experts recommend waiting for a while to have a Japanese manicure if your nails have been left worse for wear by gels or false nails. That’s because the process involves buffing the nail plate, which may be weaker while damaged.

And Darya Kholodova, a nail technician and co-founder of Darlings Beauty Lab, told British Vogue that the technique’s greatest appeal is aesthetic.

“The main benefits are a healthy, natural shine, a clean and polished nail, and a relatively quick treatment time,” she said.

Chasing That Summer Glow? Tatcha’s Bestselling Face Cream Is A One-Way Ticket To Plump, Dewy Skin

Posted on 15/07/2026 by Boris Clair

We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

Like every kind of trend, what we’re looking for from our beauty routine swings in pendulums. One year we want matte skin, the next we don’t.

Well, in case you missed it, this year just so happens to be all about the glow. Of course, summer generally comes with a penchant to want to look like you’re in some eternal golden hour.

But this year is different: everyone is chasing the glossiest glass skin there is, and while K-beauty gets all the credit, there’s also another key player on the court: J-beauty.

Beloved by TikTok, Japanese brand Tatcha sells one of its Dewy Skin creams per minute, thanks to the fact it’s loaded with tons of botanicals that plump up the skin in a matter of weeks.

Powered by Tatcha’s fermented skin complex Hadasei-3 – which includes red algae, Japanese purple rice, and green tea – the Dewy Skin Cream supposedly reduces the appearance of dry, fine lines and wrinkles in just two weeks.

But if you’re not willing to wait that long to see results, one spoonful of the decadent golden scoop included in the pot will deliver a 225% moisture boost to your skin immediately, to give it that plump and dewy appearance.

Tatcha also promises that using the skin cream over time will provide antioxidant protection against ageing. And, so you can keep coming back to it, you can buy refill pods to go inside that beautiful purple container so you never have to throw it away.

But don’t take Tatcha’s word for it, the thousands of 4.8-star reviews speak for just how glossy the cream makes your skin look.

“I have been using Tatcha Dewy moisturiser for a year and honestly I have been repurchasing this again and again,” says one five-star reviewer. “I have a sensitive combination skin and this has calmed my skin and restored firmness and hydration to my skin. Never purchasing any other cream.”

Another fan of the cream, who says it’s the ‘best cream ever’ shared: “I genuinely love this cream, it’s such a rich hydration and texture is so good my skin feels so good and glowy love this cream such a beautiful touch and love how they made it and the packaging is fantastic.”

To be honest, that’s all the convincing we need, shall we make it two bought this second?

Women Are Saying Something Strange Happened To Their Periods In June

Posted on 15/07/2026 by Boris Clair

It came up on my TikTok feed first.

“Thousands of women in June either missed a period or had two periods,” content creator @thrivingwithhannah said.

The comments section of the post, which has garnered over 44,000 likes as of the time of writing, was filled with women sharing their experience.

“I had two [periods] in June! Literally never happened before,” one commenter shared.

Creator Elizabeth Rose shared a similar TikTok post addressing the shift, which garnered thousands of likes, with commenters also revealing unusual menstrual changes they’d experienced.

“Wait, I’m not the only one that completely missed it in June?” asked one respondent.

Another said they’d experienced a perid twice in June, two weeks apart, while one commenter claimed to have had a period for three days, which then stopped for just as many days before coming back again.

So, what’s going on? Well, over on Instagram, GP Dr Nighat Arif suggested she might know what’s happening.

Why did so many people have missed or double periods in June?

Believe it or not, Dr Arif said the hot weather might be to blame.

“We’re currently in our longest heatwave in the UK,” she said (that’s not to mention the back-to-back hot weather spells we’ve endured throughout the year).

“Here’s the reality; your [menstrual] cycle is very sensitive. It’s sensitive to season changes, weather changes, as well as travel [and] stress – even a recent illness can delay ovulation or bring it forward.”

And your period’s timing depends on ovulation (when your ovaries release an egg), meaning that what seems to be a “double” or “missed” period might just be a shorter or longer cycle due to stressors like heat.

As long as there were no fewer than 21, and no more than 35, days between your periods, this can be normal, Dr Arif continued.

Even a single missed period can be “common”.

When should I see a doctor about missing or “double” periods?

If they keep happening, if you get “frequent irregular bleeding ongoing longer than three months”, or if your cycle generally feels out of whack, the GP recommended speaking to your doctor, practice nurse, or even pharmacist.

Keep a track of your cycle’s new irregularity to show them if you can.

Also, you might want to do a pregnancy test too (hey, heatwaves aren’t the only reason for periods to stop). These differences might even be menopause-related.

The NHS said to speak to your GP if:

You miss your period three or more times in a row,
Your periods have become irregular,
You’ve missed a period and are experiencing symptoms like weight gain or weight loss, tiredness, hair growth on your face, and dry or oily skin.

So THAT’s Why Your Fingers Suddenly Have Tiny Itchy Bumps

Posted on 13/07/2026 by Boris Clair

A few summers ago, I noticed tiny, tapioca-like clusters of bumps on my fingers. They were flesh-coloured and incredibly, hand-bitingly itchy.

This turned out to be a condition called pompholyx or dishydrotic eczema. The issue is sometimes nicknamed “summer finger bumps”, due to how much worse it tends to get in the hotter months.

In fact, warm weather and excessive sweating are listed as factors that may cause pompholyx to form or flare up.

What are the symptoms of dishydrotic eczema?

These include:

extreme itchiness
the sudden appearance of tiny blisters on your hands (especially the sides of your fingers) or feet
a prickling sensation
dry or cracking skin after the blisters burst
feelings of heat in your soles or hands.

Symptoms typically last two to three weeks.

It’s more common among women, people under 40, individuals with another type of eczema, those with asthma and heavy sweaters.

It’s a chronic condition, meaning that though there are ways to manage the symptoms, we don’t have an outright cure yet.

Flare-ups may be more likely during times of stress, hot weather or contact with soaps, cleansers and detergents.

The first eruptions of dishydrotic eczema blisters

What should I do if I suspect I have dishydrotic eczema?

Don’t try to diagnose yourself, the NHS says. If you have new skin issues you suspect are due to dishydrotic eczema, see a GP.

The same goes if you have pompholyx that’s already been diagnosed but “the blisters are very painful, leak yellow or green pus or are covered in a yellow-brown crust – these are signs of an infection”, they added.

Soaking your hands in potassium permanganate may help if they’re weeping or oozing. Using an emmolient moisturiser on the affected area is one of the main ways to manage flare-ups.

Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream to help you manage the itching or send you to see a specialist for UV or other treatments.

Other steps include:

washing your hands with warm water and using a moisturising soap,
wearing protective gloves (ideally with a cotton lining) when using chemicals like shampoos, cleansers and detergents
wearing socks, tights or stockings made from cotton or silk, rather than nylon, if the condition affects your feet,
wearing shoes made from leather, rather than plastic or rubber (again if the condition affects your feet),
avoiding anything you think causes your symptoms, such as cleansers, some metals, or detergents.

Don’t burst your blisters, as this can lead to further damage and leave your skin open to infection.

Why Do So Many People In Old Art Have A Long Second Toe?

Posted on 12/07/2026 by Boris Clair

Did you know that the (admittedly more recent) Statue of Liberty, the Venus de Milo, the Ancient Roman Boxer at Rest, and the Ancient Greek Laocoön and His Sons share a foot quirk in common?

In all of these iconic works of art, the characters depicted have second toes longer than their big toe – a phenomenon sometimes called “Morton’s toe”. The feature is also seen in Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and da Vinci’s famous Vitruvian Man.

It’s a quirk that’s been noted as far back as 1897, when a writer for the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal noted that in “early Greek art, where there is any attempt at careful modelling of the toes, the first toe is separated from the second, and in most instances the second toe is represented as somewhat longer than the first”.

Morton’s toe wasn’t really a “thing” in Ancient Egyptian art, though, Atlas Obscura added. That suggests it became a trend that stuck in the West.

So what’s going on?

Why might “Morton’s toe” be so present in ancient art?

Hands up: the short answer is, we don’t know for sure. But theories abound.

“Morton’s toe” affects anywhere from 4-30% of the global population.

The condition is sometimes called “Greek foot”, because over time, it’s become associated with Greek people.

That might explain its presence in predominantly Ancient Greek art – except that evolutionary geneticist Dr John H McDonald told USA Today, “I haven’t seen any evidence that so-called ‘Greek foot’ is more common in Greece than anywhere else”.

Another theory is that a longer second toe better fitted Greek ideals of beauty because it was more closely aligned with the mathematical rules of the Golden Ratio.

But not everyone thinks those numbers quite run, including in Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, where the famous fella’s second toe on his upper right leg extends to perfectly touch the curve of the surrounding circle.

Then, there’s the copycat theory

There’s another option, too: simple repetition.

Whether some influential artists thought the feature was especially pleasing or just happened to use a model with Morton’s toe, there’s the chance that it was adopted by some of the greats and then endlessly aped.

“Many Roman statues have Greek feet, simply because the artists drew inspiration from one another,” Atlas Obscura posited.

A document from the US National Parks Service (NPS) seems to say the same thing: “As Roman statues sometimes are copies of the Greek originals, the Roman statues often have ‘Greek’ feet.”

Indeed, the person who created the Statue of Liberty, whose second toe is longer than her first, was pretty open about his Ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Roman inspiration.

“On her Greek/Roman feet, open sandals… define [the Statue of Liberty’s] heritage from the earliest days of civilization – we see her Morton’s toes,” the NPS added.