Author Archives: Dr. Carollo

My child gets frequent ingrown toenails. What could be causing this?

Your child could be wearing shoes that are too small.  This happens quite often because children and teenagers can experience rapid growth and rarely measure the size of their feet.  For some children (and adults as well), there is extra flesh on the side of the nail, and/or they have a nail that is growing in a horseshoe shape, and it is therefore prone to developing an infection.

Why do my feet feel numb?

There are a number of reasons why your feet may feel numb.  You may have a condition called peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves in your feet are not functioning properly, and are therefore not giving your brain all of the information about your feet.

Neuropathy can have many different causes, including diabetes, vitamin deficiency, back problems, chemotherapy, autoimmune or inherited conditions, infection, excessive alcohol intake, and kidney, liver, or thyroid problems.

It is very important for anyone with numbness to carefully check his/her feet every day, as you might have a wound or other problem that you cannot feel because of the nerve problems.  Additionally, you should see a doctor to learn why the numbness is occurring, and the possible treatment options for your condition.

For more information about peripheral neuropathy, visit https://tenderfootandanklecare.com/neuropathy/

Anatomy of the Foot

The foot and ankle are complex areas of the body.  Educating yourself on these parts of your body is helpful when seeing a Podistrist, as she explains options for treatment.

Take a look at these search results for Anatomy of the Foot.

5 Winter Foot Care Tips

Get advice for taking care of your feet during the winter.

Winter weather in the Midwest can be cold and damp, so it’s important to take certain precautions to ensure that your feet stay warm and dry. Proper foot care in the winter is especially critical for people with diabetes and circulation problems, like Raynaud’s syndrome. Below are 5 tips that will keep your feet looking and feeling healthy this winter.

1.Keep your feet clean and dry

Wearing boots and thick socks may keep your feet warm and toasty in the winter, but it can also cause them to sweat a lot. Damp feet get cold more easily and are prone to bacterial infections. Keep your feet clean and dry by putting foot powder in your socks, treating yourself to footbaths throughout the winter, and drying your feet thoroughly after each footbath.

2.Use cotton and wool socks

When choosing socks for the wintertime, go with natural fabrics like cotton and wool instead of synthetic blends. Wool wicks moisture away from the skin and keeps your feet dry. On the other hand, socks made of synthetic materials can cause your feet to get sweaty and smelly. Excess moisture can also cause the skin to cool down more quickly and potentially lead to frostbite.

3.Wear comfortable boots

Wear boots that fit comfortably and that aren’t too tight. Tight footwear can decrease blood flow, making it harder to keep your feet warm and increasing the risk of frostbite. You should be able to wiggle your toes, but your heel, instep, and the ball of your foot should be immobilized. Your boots should have a solid base, supportive heel, and laces or straps to ensure that you’re able to remain stable on wet and slippery surfaces.

If you’re buying winter footwear for your children, such as winter boots, skates, or ski boots, avoid the temptation to buy a larger size in order to get two seasons of wear out of the shoes. It is crucial for footwear to fit properly right away in order to prevent chafing, blisters, and foot injuries.

4.Dry your boots and shoes out

Prior to going back outside in your boots or shoes again, be sure to dry them out thoroughly. This will help prevent your feet from getting cold quickly as well as prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria.

5.Wash your feet every day

Wash your feet thoroughly every day with soap and water. Keeping your feet clean can prevent toenail fungus and other unpleasant problems. Make sure that your feet are completely dry before you put socks and shoes on again. Change your socks daily. It’s also a good idea to soak your feet in Epsom salt and warm water every once in a while to relieve discomfort and prevent infections.

Do you have heel pain?

Heel Pain – Every mile you walk puts tons of stress on each foot. Your feet can handle a heavy load, but too much stress pushes them over their limits. When you pound your feet on hard surfaces playing sports or wear shoes that irritate sensitive tissues, you may develop heel pain, the most common problem affecting the foot and ankle.

A sore heel will usually get better on its own without surgery if you give it enough rest. However, many people ignore the early signs of heel pain and keep on doing the activities that caused it. When you continue to walk on a sore heel, it will only get worse and could become a chronic condition leading to more problems.

Evaluation and Treatment
This condition can have many causes. If your heel hurts, see your primary care doctor or orthopaedic foot and ankle specialist right away to determine why and get treatment. Tell him or her exactly where you have pain and how long you’ve had it. Your doctor will examine your heel, looking and feeling for signs of tenderness and swelling. You may be asked to walk, stand on one foot or do other physical tests that help your doctor pinpoint the cause of your sore heel. Conditions that cause heel pain generally fall into two main categories: pain beneath the heel and pain behind the heel.

Please contact Dr. Carollo at 586-298-1585 so she can help reduce or eliminate your heel pain!

More info:

http://www.podiatrytoday.com/

Do I need podiatric care?

Most people suffer from some kind of foot disorder – from athlete’s foot or ingrown nails to bunions, hammertoes or corns. Tight-fitting or high-heeled shoes are often the culprit, but heredity, poor foot care, injuries, or medical conditions can also cause problems. Whatever the state of your feet, your podiatrist can treat your problem to restore your comfort and ease of movement.

Problems in your feet can lead to pain in your hips, knees and lower back. Take a moment to read this list of conditions or problems. If you find you might be suffering from one or more of these items, a visit to your podiatrist may be just the help your feet need.

Please feel free to call our office at 586-298-1585 for more information.

What is a foot or ankle sprain or fracture?

The feet and ankles work together to provide support and mobility to the body.  A foot or ankle sprain is an injury to the soft tissues rather than the bone.  Most often, a sprain occurs when an injury pulls, stretches, or tears the ligaments that connect bone to bone.  A fracture is actually a break in the bone.  Fractures can result from an injury, but can also result from repetitive motion or pressure on the bone and this latter occurrence is called a stress fracture.  A fractured bone is the same thing as a broken bone, as the medical term for a break in a bone is a fracture.  Foot or ankle sprains AND fractures all require treatment to allow for proper healing to occur and to help prevent future problems including repeat sprains and severe arthritis.  We treat sprains and fractures every day in our office, and can be reached at 586-298-1585.

Visit http://www.apma.org/learn/FootHealth.cfm?ItemNumber=982 for more info.