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Monday, 24 February 2020 00:00
Common Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot
A common fungal infection of the feet is known as athlete’s foot. It is caused by a fungus that thrives in warm and moist environments. These can consist of public swimming pools, locker rooms, and shower room floors. If you are to visit these types of places, it is suggested that appropriate shoes are worn, as this may help to prevent the fungus from entering your skin. There are also other factors that may make it easier for this condition to develop. These may include wearing socks that are wet for the majority of the day, or having a bandage on the skin for an extended period of time which may soften the skin. Common symptoms that are associated with athlete’s foot can include intense itchiness between the toes and on the bottom of the feet, and in more severe cases, blisters may develop. If you feel you have athlete’s foot, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can guide you toward the proper treatment.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with one of our podiatrists from Livingston Foot Care Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.
Prevention
The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:
- Thoroughly washing and drying feet
- Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
- Using shower shoes in public showers
- Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
- Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot
Symptoms
Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:
- Redness
- Burning
- Itching
- Scaly and peeling skin
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in North Bellmore, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
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Monday, 24 February 2020 00:00
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is a skin disease caused by a fungal infection. The infection typically occurs between the toes, and the feet are most subject to this disease because shoes best create the warm, dark, and moist environment in which fungus thrives. Other areas that create a similar environment, such as swimming pools, public showers, and locker rooms; can also promote fungi growth.
Symptoms of athlete’s foot include dry skin, itching, scaling, inflammation, and blistering. Sometimes, blisters can evolve into the cracks or breaks in the skin. The exposed tissue can then create pain, swelling, and discharge. The spread of infection can cause itching and burning as well.
While athlete’s foot commonly occurs between the toes, it may also spread to the toenails or soles of the feet. Other parts of the body, such as the groin or underarms, can also become infected if they are touched after the original area of infection is scratched. Aside from physical contact, athlete’s foot can also spread through the contamination of footwear, clothing or bedsheets.
Proper foot hygiene is essential in preventing athlete’s foot. You can prevent the fungus from spreading by frequently washing your feet using soap and water, thoroughly drying the feet between the toes, changing shoes and socks every day to reduce moisture, and ensuring that bathroom and shower floors are disinfected. Other tips include using shower shoes, avoiding walking barefoot in public environments, wearing light and airy shoes, and wearing socks that keep the feet dry.
While treatment for athlete’s foot can involve topical or oral antifungal drugs, mild cases of the infection can be treated by dusting foot powder in shoes and socks. Any treatment used can be supplemented by frequently bathing the feet and drying the toes. If proper foot hygiene and self-care do not ease your case of athlete’s foot, contact your podiatrist. He will determine if the underlying cause of your condition is truly a fungus. If that is the case, a comprehensive treatment plan may be suggested with the inclusion of prescription antifungal medications.
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Monday, 17 February 2020 00:00
Treating a Bunion May Require Surgery
Bunions can be identified as a bony protrusion on the side of the big toe. This condition may develop for a number of reasons. Common causes may include wearing narrow or ill-fitting footwear, having an existing foot condition such as flat feet or low arches, the occurrence of a foot injury, inflammatory arthritis, or even genetic factors. Neuromuscular conditions, such as cerebral palsy may also influence the formation of a bunion. Symptoms that are often associated with a bunion can include redness, soreness, or a burning sensation linked to the affected area. It can also be common for hammertoes to form, as well as calluses, when bunions are present. To relieve the pain that is associated with bunions, it is suggested to wear shoe inserts to lessen the friction, as well as investing in proper footwear that leaves your toes adequate room to move freely in. For some cases, the symptoms of bunions may be severe, in which case, surgery can be the recommended option for treatment. In order to best determine how to care for your bunion, consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible for professional care.
If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of our podiatrists of Livingston Foot Care Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is a Bunion?
Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.
Causes
- Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
- Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development
Symptoms
- Redness and inflammation
- Pain and tenderness
- Callus or corns on the bump
- Restricted motion in the big toe
In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in North Bellmore, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
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Monday, 17 February 2020 00:00
Bunions
A bunion is a bump that forms at the base of the big toe. Bunions form when the big toe pushes against the next toe, which forces the big toe joint to get bigger and stick out. As a result, the skin over the bunion may start to appear red and it may feel sore.
There are risk factors that can increase your chances of developing bunions. People who wear high heels or ill-fitting shoes are more likely to develop them, in addition to those who have a genetic history of bunions or have rheumatoid arthritis.
The most obvious way to tell if you have a bunion is to look for the big toe pushing up against the toe next to it. Bunions produce a large protrusion at the base of the big toe and may or may not cause pain. Other symptoms are redness, swelling, and restricted movement of the big toe if you have arthritis.
Nonsurgical methods are frequently used to treat bunions that aren’t severe. Some methods of nonsurgical treatment are orthotics, icing and resting the foot, taping the foot, and pain medication. Surgery is usually only required in extreme cases. However, if surgery is needed, some procedures may involve removing the swollen tissue from around the big toe joint, straightening the big toe by removing part of the bone, or joining the bones of your affected joint permanently.
Your podiatrist will diagnose your bunion by doing a thorough examination of your foot. He or she may also conduct an x-ray to determine the cause of the bunion and its severity.
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Monday, 10 February 2020 00:00
Keeping Your Child’s Feet Healthy
To help prevent the development of foot-related complications, it’s important to manage and maintain the health of your child’s feet at an early age. Examining your child’s feet for any abnormalities or wounds can help in providing an early diagnosis of an existing foot condition, as well as prevent possible conditions from worsening. Having children wear socks or booties that are too tight for their feet may cause harm and actually reduce the natural development of their feet if worn too often. Allowing for your child to be shoeless indoors may help in building the muscles of the foot, and strengthen their feet. Keeping their feet dry, clean, and their toenails properly trimmed are all vital for the prevention of common foot conditions, such as ingrown toenails. Maintaining proper foot hygiene for your child can help to set a great example for how they should care for their feet as they get older. For more information on how to help keep your child’s feet healthy, please consult with a podiatrist.
Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Livingston Foot Care Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...
Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.
Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.
Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.
As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.
As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.
Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.
Be watchful for any pain or injury.
Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in North Bellmore, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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Monday, 10 February 2020 00:00
How to Care for Your Child's Feet
It is never normal for a child to experience pain in his or her feet. Foot pain that lasts more than a few days and limits a child’s ability to walk should be examined by a podiatrist. Many adult foot ailments originate in childhood and may be present at birth. Common foot issues that are experienced by children are pediatric flat foot, Sever’s disease, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts.
A child’s foot grows rapidly during the first year, allowing it to reach almost half of their adult foot size. Consequently, foot specialists consider the first year to be the most crucial point in the foot development process. There are ways you can help ensure that your child’s foot develops properly. One way is to carefully look at your baby’s feet. If you notice any deformities, you should immediately seek professional care. You should also loosely cover your child’s foot, since tight coverings may prevent movement and inhibit normal development. Another tip is to change the baby’s positioning throughout the day. If your baby lies down in one spot for too long, it may put an excess amount of strain on the feet and legs.
It is best that you try not to force a child to start walking. Children will begin to walk when they are both physically and emotionally capable to do so. You should also avoid comparing your child’s walking progress with other children because the age range for independent walking may range. When your child’s feet begin to develop, you may need to change both their shoe and sock size every few months to allow room for their feet to grow.
Kids are sometimes prone to splinters, cuts, and severe injuries because they tend to walk around barefoot. This also makes them more susceptible to developing plantar warts which is a condition caused by a virus that invades the sole of the foot through breaks in the skin. These ailments can be avoided by making sure your child wears shoes in unsanitary environments. You should also wash any minor cuts or scrapes on your child’s feet. It is a myth that exposure to fresh air will heal injuries; fresh air will only expose your child’s cuts to germs.
As a parent, you should ensure that your child’s feet are developing properly and are being properly maintained. Consequently, it is important that you perform routine inspections on his or her feet to detect any injuries or deformities in their early stages. Early detection and treatment will help to ensure that your child does not develop any serious foot conditions.
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Monday, 03 February 2020 00:00
Healthy Foods And Stress Fractures
Research has indicated that a large percentage of athlete’s have experienced stress fractures at least once in their lifetime. The feet bear the weight of the body, and can cause muscle fatigue. This may be a significant factor in causing small cracks in the bones of the feet, which can lead to severe pain and discomfort. Recent studies have shown that eating healthy foods may be beneficial in reducing the risk of getting stress fractures. Nutritional deficiencies may contribute to the development of this ailment. Your risk may be diminished by eating fresh fruits and vegetables, as this may help to provide the body with necessary nutrients. If you would like more information about how stress fractures can affect the feet, and how to possibly prevent them, please consult with a podiatrist.
Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Livingston Foot Care Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.
Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle
Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use. The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.
What Are Stress Fractures?
Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:
- Runners
- People affected with Osteoporosis
- Tennis or basketball players
- Gymnasts
- High impact workouts
Symptoms
Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in North Bellmore, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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Monday, 03 February 2020 00:00
Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle
Our bones are important aspects of our body and they are constantly changing. The heavier the workload for a bone, the more likely it is that calcium will be placed in it. When a bone isn’t used often, there won’t be much calcium within it. When stress from repetitive loads prevent the bone from being able to repair itself, cracks will start to form. Stress fractures are defined as cracks in a bone that result from repetitive force, such as overuse.
The most common cause of stress fractures is a sudden increase in intensity and duration of physical activity. For example, if you begin to run long distances without working your way into doing so, you will be more likely to develop a stress fracture.
Common symptoms of stress fractures are pain and swelling near the weight bearing area on the injured bone. When initial x-rays are performed, it is possible that the fracture will not show up. However, once the stress on the area continues, the damage will increase, and the fracture will be severe enough to show up on an x-ray. Certain parts of the foot are more likely to develop stress fractures than others. Areas that typically have these fractures are: the metatarsals, the navicular bone, the calcaneus, tibia, and fibula.
Since women are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, they are twice as likely as men to sustain a stress fracture. Additionally, old age causes a decrease in bone mineral density which is why elderly people are also likely to develop these fractures.
It is important for you to be professionally diagnosed by a podiatrist if you suspect you have a stress fracture, because there are other injuries that can easily be mistaken for a fracture. Sprains, strains, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and Morton’s neuroma can all easily be mistaken for stress fractures in the foot. Your podiatrist will likely ask you a series of questions to determine what type of pain you are experiencing. These questions will help your doctor identify whether you have a stress fracture.
The best method of treatment for a stress fracture is rest. Additionally, a walking boot, cast, or crutches, will help rest the area that is injured. The typical healing time for stress fractures is 4-12 weeks, however this depends on which bone is involved.
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Sunday, 02 February 2020 00:00
Gout Pain Can Be Managed
Gout is a painful, inflammatory form of arthritis. Those affected will typically feel an intense stiffness in the joints of their feet, particularly in the big toe. Schedule a visit to learn about how gout can be managed and treated.
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Monday, 27 January 2020 00:00
Prevention and Treatment for Corns
While similar to a callus, corns are harder, smaller, and generally more painful thickened layers of the skin that appear as small lumps on the feet and toes. Typically caused by irritation and friction, corns can be incredibly uncomfortable to deal with if left untreated. To avoid getting a corn, it’s recommended that you wear footwear that gives your toes room to move freely in, you keep your feet clean and moisturized, and you keep your toenails properly trimmed. To help treat corns, it’s often advised that you soak your feet in warm water before filing at it with a pumice stone. Moisturizing after filing and using corn pads may also help to reduce your corn. If your corn is extremely painful, causing swelling, redness, or drainage of pus, we recommend that you consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible for professional care and treatment.
Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Livingston Foot Care Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.
Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:
- Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
- Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
- Wearing only shoes that offer support
Treating Corns
Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in North Bellmore, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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