Posts for category: Foot Care
It’s an embarrassing problem. Smelly feet can make you feel self-conscious. You can’t get comfortable or take your shoes off without worrying that everyone will notice your stinky feet. Have you ever wondered what might be going on to cause this problem in the first place? While some people are more prone to smelly feet than others, your podiatrist can provide you with some tips to get rid of offensive-smelling foot odors.- Wash feet at least once a day with soap and warm water. Make sure that you dry your feet thoroughly after.
- Make sure to dry feet as soon as possible after dealing with sweaty or perspiring feet.
- Choose socks made from materials that wick away sweat and improve ventilation.
- Apply deodorizing sprays or powders in shoes every day after wear, and make sure to wait 24 hours before wearing the same shoes again.
Dry, flaky feet are incredibly common, particularly during the cold, winter months; however, if you find yourself dealing with dry or cracked feet throughout the year, especially around the heels, you may be wondering what you can do about it. Instead of just waiting until your feet become dry and flaky, your podiatrist can provide you with some easy skin care tips to keep your feet supple and free from dry skin all year long.Certain shoes can leave you prone to cracked heels and dry skin due to friction from wearing loose-fitted shoes. People who wear sandals and other open-heeled shoes are more at risk for developing cracked heels. Instead, opt for closed-heeled shoes that fit properly and provide support.
If you are overweight, you may be surprised to discover that this could be contributing to your dry, cracked heels. This is because your feet take on all of your weight while standing, walking, and running. By safely dropping that excess weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise you can alleviate some of the pressure placed on your heels to reduce the risk of cracking.
While we know just how luxurious it feels to stand in a steaming hot shower, especially during the winter months, this could be contributing to dry skin on your feet and cracked heels. If this is something you deal with regularly you may look at your current bathing or showering ritual to see if that could be the culprit. Simply use warm and not hot water, which can strip the skin of the oils it needs to stay moist.
You should moisturize your feet every day to prevent dry skin from happening in the first place. Moisturizers that contain lactic acid, glycerin, or petroleum jelly can help to lock in moisture in your feet. Moisturize every time you get out of the shower and throughout the day, especially before going to bed. If you are prone to very dry, cracked feet, you may wish to moisturize and then wear socks to bed.
Foot infections can cause pain and discomfort and may even put you at risk of health complications in some cases. Fortunately, your podiatrist in Suffolk and Norfolk, VA, Dr. Jesse Anderson, offers treatments for a variety of foot infections, including these types of infections.
Athlete's foot
Itchy athlete's foot occurs as a result of a fungal infection that you may have picked up in a public shower or locker room or from a family member who has the infection. Although over-the-counter products can be helpful if you have a mild infection, drugstore products aren't always strong enough to treat more severe or stubborn athlete's foot infections.
Your Suffolk and Norfolk foot doctor can prescribe a topical medication that can reach the deeper layers of your skin. Oral anti-fungal medication may also be helpful in some cases.
Toenail fungus
A fungal infection is also responsible for your yellow toenails. Because the fungus can lurk in the deepest layers of your nails and on your nail bed, drugstore products may not turn your nails clear. Topical medications prescribed by your foot doctor can penetrate all the layers of your nail, killing the fungus. Oral anti-fungal medication and laser treatment are other options.
Infected wound
Did you step on a nail, piece of glass, or slash the top of your foot? Cuts, particularly puncture wounds, can become infected if bacteria from your skin and other surfaces begin to grow in the wound. Your wound may be infected if it's painful, red, or warm. You may also notice red streaks on your skin or pus on the wound. A fever can also accompany an infection.
Call the podiatry office right away if you suspect that you have an infected wound. You may need antibiotics and other treatments to kill the bacteria and heal your wound.
Diabetic sores and ulcers
Sores and ulcers are more likely to become infected if you have diabetes. The disease slows healing and can turn a simple burst blister into a serious, life-threatening infection. Don't wait for signs of infection to occur before you call the foot doctor. By then, the infection may be very difficult to treat.
If you're diagnosed with a diabetic foot infection, you may need to take antibiotics and wear a boot for a little while to reduce pressure on your foot. Other treatments may be needed if the infection is severe or has spread to your leg.
Are you concerned about a foot infection? Schedule a visit with your Suffolk and Norfolk, VA, podiatrist, Dr. Jesse Anderson. Call (757) 625-2962 to make an appointment for the Norfolk office or (757) 539-2098 for the Suffolk office.
Everything from wearing shoes that are a little too loose to increasing the number of miles you run can leave you dealing with painful blisters on your feet. Blisters can be quite a nuisance, making it difficult to move around, especially when wearing shoes. If you deal with blisters rather regularly here are some simple ways to treat the problem.If possible, try to keep the blister intact. Do not try to pop or drain a blister that hasn’t popped on its own. It’s important not to put pressure on the blister, so avoid any shoes that may be too tight. If you’re going to put on shoes, make sure to apply a bandage (some band-aids are designed specifically for covering blisters) to the area first.
If the blister popped on its own, clean it with warm water soap (do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on the blister). Once the area is clean, apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream to the area and apply a bandage over the blister. These simple steps can prevent an infection from occurring.
You should only drain a blister if it’s very large, painful, or affects your ability to move. In this case, you should sterilize a needle with alcohol and then make a small hole in the blister to let it drain. You may need to carefully squeeze the blister to help it drain fully. Once the blister has drained, rinse out the area with soap and warm water before applying antibiotic cream to the area and placing a bandage over it.
You mustn’t keep the same bandage on your blister day in and day out. You should check the blister every day to make sure it isn’t infected. You should clean the area daily with soap and water and then reapply another bandage.
A hallux valgus, commonly called a bunion, is a bump found on the big toe’s base-side portion. While usually painless, bunions are more than just bumps. This visible bump reflects significant changes in the foot’s bony framework. When you have a bunion, your big toe will gradually lean toward the adjacent toe instead of pointing straight. In turn, this causes misalignment of the bones, resulting in a bunion.
Bunion symptoms typically manifest during the condition’s later stages, while some individuals won’t experience any symptoms. That being said, if your bunion is painful and affecting your daily life, visit your podiatrist, Dr. Jesse Anderson, here at AAL Podiatry Associates in our Norfolk, VA, or Suffolk, VA, office, for proper treatment.
Nonsurgical Bunion Treatments
Bunion treatments are essentially aimed at alleviating pain and discomfort since it’s impossible to reverse the deformity. These include the following:
- Activity adjustments: Refrain from performing activities that aggravate your symptoms.
- Wearing supportive footwear. Opt for shoes with ample space for the toes and avoid those that have pointed toe boxes of high heels, as these could exacerbate your condition.
- NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help minimize inflammation and pain.
- Cold therapy. Applying a cold compress or ice pack a couple of times daily to your bunion can help relieve pain and swelling.
- Orthotic devices. Ask your podiatrist in our Norfolk, VA, or Suffolk, VA, office about orthotic devices that be customized to your specific circumstances.
- Corticosteroid injections. While not common, corticosteroid injections are sometimes recommended by doctors if the bunion comes with an inflamed bursa.
Surgery for Bunions
When nonsurgical bunion treatments fail to ease your symptoms and/or your symptoms start to negatively impact your daily activities, your podiatrist might suggest surgical intervention. There are a couple of surgeries used for treating bunions, and your podiatrist will take into account your age, the severity of your bunion, and other vital factors to determine the most suitable surgical procedure for you.
Essentially, the goal of surgical treatments is to get rid of the bony bump, eliminate pain, fix changes in soft tissue, as well as correct any changes in the structure of the affected foot.
Need Help With Your Bunion? Reach Out to Us
Book a consultation with your podiatrist, Dr. Jesse Anderson of AAL Podiatry Associates by calling our Norfolk, VA, office at (757) 625-2962 or Suffolk, VA, office at (757) 539-2098.
