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.
Category Archives: Foot Care Tips
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.
Check out my new page about “shoes” – what you need to know from a Podiatrist.
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.
Big toe stiffness, pain
Big toe stiffness and joint pain are often caused by arthritis. Arthritis can affect any area of the foot, and is particularly common in the big toe joint. Symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, joint stiffness, and sometimes a bony prominence (hard area or bump at the big toe joint.) This bony prominence may or may not be noticeable but tends to get larger over time, and often rubs against shoes which can cause pain as well. The pain from arthritis in the foot typically becomes worse with extended time on your feet and with activities that place more stress on the joint. As with arthritis that affects other areas of the body, arthritis in the big toe joint and arthritis in other areas of the foot only tends to get worse over time. Not only does the pain become more frequent and worse over time, but the joint becomes less mobile and patients will report “my toe doesn’t move as much as it used to, and I can’t bend it as much as the other foot.” As the condition worsens, there are fewer treatment options available. Therefore it is particularly important to have your pain or stiffness evaluated as soon as possible. It is also important to note that there are treatment options available for big toe pain that do NOT involve surgery. Call us at 586-298-1585 so that we can help you before the condition worsens.
Could your foot pain and swelling be from a stress fracture?
A stress fracture is a type of fracture that occurs from overuse, and can develop following an increase in your activity level rather than from a specific injury. Stress fractures involving the foot may cause pain, swelling, and/or warmth over the area of the fracture. As with other types of foot fractures, stress fractures require immobilization via a walking boot, cast, or specialized shoe that helps to decrease pressure on the fracture area in order to help the healing process. Please remember that foot pain is NOT normal and should not be ignored. Call our office at 586-298-1585 to have your pain identified, treated, and alleviated!
Foot Care from the American Diabetes Association
Here is a good article with some foot care tips for those with diabetes. Prevention is key and caring for your feet is a necessity. Please follow this link for more information:
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/foot-complications/foot-care.html
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!
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Sandal Recommendations
As the weather turns warmer, many people enjoy wearing “flip-flops” or sandals. It’s important to choose a sandal with good arch support, especially if you have flat feet or bunions, or a history of problems such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or Achilles tendonitis. It’s also wise to choose a sandal with a thick toe area if you have stiffness or pain in your big toe joint, or have hammertoes or toes that aren’t straight. It’s worth spending a little extra money for high quality sandals, so that you may enjoy your summer without foot pain that can cause you to avoid the activities you love. If you have any pain or problems with your feet, call us at 586-298-1585.
