Athletes foot is a fungal infection, known as Tinea Pedis, that grows in damp sweaty environments. This is a common condition that occurs in many runners that can be very irritating to deal with. The infection commonly causes itching, stinging, and burning between toes, as well as peeling, cracking and blistering skin on the feet. This fungal infection is common in runners as well as many other athletes (hence it’s name) because of the environment it grows in.
The fungus that causes athletes foot can be found on damp contaminated surfaces such as in locker rooms, bathrooms, and pool areas. It is also contagious, so if a family member has the infection, it can remain on surfaces to infect others. Athletes foot grows rapidly between toes since it is a moist and warm area. Runners who pick up athletes foot will then put on socks and shoes and run causing an even more ideal environment for the fungus to grow in since your feet become even more warm and sweaty. Add to that the hot and humid weather in Houston, TX and you have the ideal circumstances for the fungus to thrive.
There are a couple of things you can do to prevent getting athletes foot. Always wear flip-flops or shower shoes when bathing in public facilities and in bathrooms that you share with someone who has athletes foot. Whenever you get out of the shower or pool make sure you dry between each toe to eliminate excess moisture that Athletes foot can thrive in. Do not wear all-cotton socks because they cause your feet to be damp when they sweat. Buy socks made of a synthetic fiber that are thoroughly able to wick away any excess fluid, such as CoolMax and DryMax.
If you get Athletes foot there are over-the-counter antifungal products, such as Lamisil cream, to treat the infection. To treat the infection, begin by washing your foot, making sure to wash and dry the areas between the toes. Apply a thin layer of an anti-fungal medication to the affected area as directed on the label. Most over-the-counter anti-fungal medication can take up to two weeks to heal completely. If you are not sure which medication to use, or if the over-the-counter medication is not working, contact your podiatrist.
You should also be sure to treat your shoes. Having fungus in your shoes will cause you to reinfect yourself after the Athletes foot has cleared up. Spraying your shoes with a disinfectant spray, such as Mycomist, will allow the fungus to be controlled and will help to prevent the infection for reoccurring.
Word has gotten out that Yao Ming did not get great news about the broken bone in his foot at his six week checkup. The bone does not seem to be healing properly, although he has no pain. He still is laid up and won’t be playing for the Chinese national team. It remains questionable when he’ll be ready to play for the Houston Rockets.
According to the article that I read at ShanghaiDaily.com, a bone scan done recently shows the fracture as still unhealed. I happen to know who Yao’s doctor is, so I certainly trust his assessment. I think the story gives a false impression, though. A bone scan is a test that shows bone activity. It is great because it’s sensitivity can pick up fractures and other bone issues that may be hard to see on a plain x-ray. A problem, though, is that it is so sensitive that it can still give a false positive signal for things like arthritis, past surgeries, and old fractures. I would expect to still see the fracture on the bone scan.
It certainly is possible for the fracture to not heal quickly, especially on a big guy like Yao. Bone has a blood supply…it’s living tissue. Some areas of bones have a greater blood supply than others and if the fracture occurred in a weaker area, it likely has a poorer supply. This can cause a condition known as avascular necrosis. This is a deterioration and non-healing of the fracture site due to a poor blood supply. Often, the use of a bone stimulator can be helpful for this. A bone stimulator is a device that sends waves to the bone to stimulate blood flow and bone healing. It is a non-invasive device that works well to get a bone to heal faster and stronger.
A bone stimulator is not just for professional basketball players, it is covered by most insurance companies and can be prescribed by your podiatrist.
UPDATE 6/30/09: As more details emerge, the first article had it wrong…while he might have had a bone scan, the determining test was a CT scan. This is a much more appropriate test and would be able to assess the status of healing of Yao’s fracture. It seems like it’s possible that he’ll miss much or all of next season. I’m hoping he’ll be able to have this fracture ultimately heal without surgery. With all the surgery Yao has already had, another could really damage his career.
I was reading an article in the UK Daily Mail entitled “Check Out Your Bunions While Buying Your Onions” this morning and I was intrigued. It described a podiatrist who has set up clinic in a grocery store a couple of days a week. Would this work here in Texas? If people are too busy to go to the podiatrist, should podiatrists just station themselves to where the people are?
This model is not unfamiliar to the US. Several years ago, WalMart was exploring a partnership with podiatrists in their stores. That program ended up fizzling. You will find, however, walk-in clinics popping up in Walgreens, CVS, WalMart, and other stores and pharmacies. They are often staffed by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to administer minor treatment or prescribe medication for an illness. They are marketed to people without insurance, but the convenience is attractive to many.
Podiatry, along with other specialties, require specialized and expensive equipment. For optometry, stores like WalMart and Target seem to have realized that the investment in this equipment is worthwhile. I don’t think the same will hold true for podiatrists. Having a podiatrist in these types of situations will be providing fairly limited services, like caring for toenails, corns, and calluses, such as what was described in the article. If someone truly required more advanced foot care, such as treating a diabetic ulcer or bunion surgery, a visit to the office will still be best.
The type of sock that you wear when you run is crucial to the comfort and health of your feet. It is important that you are running in the right type of socks that can stand up to whatever weather condition you may be running in. If you are running in cold conditions you will want a sock that will keep your feet dry and warm. In warmer conditions you want a sock that can keep your feet dry and cool. If you are a trail runner you will want a thicker more durable sock If you are a short distance runner you are going to want a more lightweight sock.
During the summer months, when it is warm outside, you sweat more when you run. It is very important to have a sock that has certain characteristics to deal with the heat. You must be certain that the sock is able to wick away this extra perspiration from your foot; otherwise you will acquire excess moisture against your skin that will cause blisters to form.
The most crucial factor on deciding which type of sock to wear during these warm months of the year is the material of the sock. You want to stay away from anything that is made of mostly cotton. Cotton is a great lightweight material but does not dry quickly. Cotton socks absorb the moisture from your feet and remain damp. This can cause blisters to form from the rubbing of the wet socks against your feet as you run. Some better materials for socks to use during warmer conditions are polyester, acrylic, and CoolMax. These synthetic materials are more expensive than cotton socks, but they really stand up to the heat. These materials will help to wick away your perspiration while keeping your feet cool and blister free.
Another thing to consider when buying warm weather running socks is to look at the design of the sock. A good running sock is made up of two layers. The inner layer of the sock should help to wick the moisture away from your feet and the second outer layer should remove the water from the first layer and aid in evaporation. This design will keep your feet as dry as possible so blisters will not form.
Runners are so concerned about running in the right shoe, they don’t give much thought to their socks. The next time you go to purchase running socks, make sure that they check what the sock is made of and its design. All socks are not created equal.
Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who was recently nominated by President Obama to be an associate justice on the Supreme Court, tripped at Laguardia Airport while trying to catch a flight back to Washington today. Once on the plane, she realized that she needed treatment and was taken to an ambulatory hospital in Washington for treatment. She is now using crutches as she continues her meetings with senators on the path towards her confirmation.
This is another example of an everyday activity gone bad. Last week, actress Jennie Garth stumbled in her home and broke her foot. Now we see how something simple as walking through the airport can have significant consequences. No, I’m not going to comment that she should have gotten to the airport earlier so she didn’t have to rush (trust me, I’m not one to criticize that!). I do commend Judge Sotomayor for seeking care quickly…most do not.
The ankle has several ligaments on both sides to stabilize the joint. There are also several tendons traveling down all sides of the ankle. When an ankle is twisted, most commonly the supporting ligaments are damaged. This is known as an ankle sprain. Occasionally, however, the ligaments or tendons can pull off a piece of bone, which is an ankle fracture. The ankle bones may also fracture without a direct pull of the soft tissue.
Both fractures and sprains will be painful, with swelling and bruising noticeable. The idea that if it is broken or fractured you won’t be able to walk on it is not true. The only way to tell is to get an x-ray, available quickly and painlessly in all podiatrists’ offices. No need to go to the hospital for this, unless, of course, you’re in the running for the Supreme Court.
There are many walking fundraiser events these days that truly tests a person’s endurance. The Houston area hosts several of these events every year. One of the most popular examples is the two and three day breast cancer walks in which you can walk the distance of almost two marathons. The way most of these events work is you walk all day, sleep in a tent overnight, and then get up the next morning to keep walking. While causes like breast cancer really strike a cord with people there are a couple of things that people must keep into consideration when taking on a challenge like this so that they can prevent getting hurt.
1. Listen to your body, not your mind:
Many times when people are walking or running for a cause they get very emotionally involved in their drive to finish the race. It is important to listen to your body. If it hurts, stop!! Just because you don’t finish a race or event does not mean you are letting someone down or that you don’t care about the cause.
2. Just because you are a runner doesn’t mean you are a walker:
There are many runners out there who attempt to do one of these long walks and find themselves more sore then after they run…this is natural. Walking uses different muscles than running, so it is like your body is starting a new exercise routine that it is not used to.
3. Don’t be afraid to stop for aid:
At all of these events there are always medical and podiatry tents to care for race-day injuries. One of the most common injuries seen when walking long distances is blisters. If you stop at a podiatry tent, there are many trained medical volunteers who are there to help drain your blisters and bandage you up so that the rest of your race will be more comfortable. It also prevents further trauma that can cause infection.
Walking for a cure is one of the most emotionally gratifying things you can do. Just make sure that if you attempt a walk with a distance longer than you’re used to that you know what to expect. Listening to your body and stopping for help if you need it, even if you are an experienced runner, should not be a blow to your athletic psyche.
Beverly Hills 90210′s Jennie Garth is recovering from a broken foot. She’s the next in high profile celebrity injuries. What is particularly interesting about her story, however, is how uneventful it really was. Reports are that she was home and carrying her baby. She went to answer the door, stumbled, and twisted her foot which led to the break. Is there anyone reading this who honestly can saw they’ve never done something similar?
It doesn’t take much to break a bone. Sometimes a quick twist of the ankle is enough to cause a major fracture in the foot. Walking to the bathroom in the dark and tripping over the kids’ toys. Knocking the toe on the furniture. It has happened to us all. Because of that, it’s very easy to dismiss it as something that will go away quickly.
But what if it doesn’t. Some of these injuries can become quite serious. A twisted ankle, for instance, can lead to a fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal bone. If this fracture is not immobilized quickly, it can displace and require surgery to get it healed. Even a broken toe should be examined with an x-ray to make sure it is not displaced. If it is, it is important to address it before it starts to heal on its own or the treatment later on will become more complicated.
It sounds like Jennie is getting the treatment she needs. Let’s learn from her good example and take care of our minor injuries…before they become major ones.
I saw a commercial yesterday for Dr. Scholl’s For Her Smooth My Sole. Much flashier commercial than the low budget Ped Egg. Nicer looking product. And a name you can trust, right?
WRONG!
This product is a dressed up, nice looking Ped Egg. Nothing More. They have the same cheese grater sharp blades as the Ped Egg. Please do not be fooled by a name.
Just like I said in my previous post…use it to grate cheese or zest a lemon, but please do not use it on your feet. It’s a disaster waiting to happen!
Schools are letting out and summer vacation is coming up. As you’re developing that checklist for your trip, be sure to add one thing: Visit your podiatrist.
In a typical day, I’ll see lots of patients who have just got home from a trip and are lamenting the fact that they didn’t come in for a foot checkup before they left. On Day 3 of their trip a callus or corn started to act up…Pain! A tiny bit of heel pain becomes a major issue from walking in the airport. The little nothing becomes a big something. You get the picture.
A visit to you podiatrist can give you piece of mind, especially with the investment of a big trip. Headed to Europe? Those hard, uneven stone roads will make a small twinge become an unbearable pain quickly. A cruise? Even if you don’t think you’ll get off of the ship, they’re HUGE and require lots of walking.
The sooner you address your foot issue, the quicker it can be resolved. A small pain is much easier to address than one that gets out of control. After three to four days of pain, chances are it is not going away on its own. Save your vacation…address the pain…see your podiatrist first!
