Keep Your Feet Feeling Young

With the start of a New Year and the end of all the holiday parties and family get togethers people start to focus on getting themselves in shape and healthy for 2010. Keeping your feet healthy in 2010 will definitely help to keep you happy for the year. Below are ten facts you should know about your feet in 2010 in order to keep your body health and happy the entire year.

1) Structure – The standard foot has 26 bones and 2 sesamoid bones which are small, irregular bones under the base of your big toe.

2) Flat Feet vs. High Arched Foot – Flat Feet (Pes Planus) is a condition in which you have less of an arch on the bottom of your foot. There are 2 types of flat feet: rigid and flexible. A rigid flat foot is the type that commonly leads to further biomechanical problems. High arched feet (Pes Cavus) is when you have an increased arch which may require you to need good support in your shoes to prevent them from hurting.

3) Diabetic Feet – If you or someone in your family has diabetes then make sure that they monitor their blood glucose levels closely. It has been shown that uncontrolled blood glucose levels can lead to peripheral neuropathy, numbness or nerve pain in the feet and legs, and ulcerations of the feet.

4) Smoking and Feet – Smoking can lead to many terrible side effects but one that many people don’t know about is peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Smoking decreases the circulation of blood to your feet leading to loss of hair on the extremities and can also result in loss of sensation.

5) Athlete’s Foot – If you are an athlete of any kind then one thing you should always be trying to avoid getting is athlete’s foot, which an infection of the foot caused by a fungus. Of course, you don’t really need to be an athlete to get this. To avoid getting athlete’s foot it is important to wear moisture wicking socks while you workout to prevent your feet from getting too moist. It is also important for everyone to dry their feet thoroughly after they get out of the shower.

6) Nail Fungus – Nail fungus can be cosmetically troubling due to the ugly discoloration of the toe nails. If you think that you have nail fungus it is important to go to a podiatrist who can provide you easy ways to eliminate it.

7) Bunions – A bunion is when the tip of your big toe points toward your second toe causing a bump on the inside of your foot. Bunions can be caused by a person’s inherent foot mechanics and is often inherited. It is important to seek medical help as early as possible if you have a bunion to prevent it from getting worse and requiring surgical correction.

Weight and Feet – With an ever increasing incidence of obesity in the US population, a link has been discovered between foot pathology and weight. The more you weigh the greater incidence of developing diabetes, plantar fasciitis, and osteoarthritis.

9) Shoe Gear – What kinds of shoes you wear is very important to the health of your feet. Avoid wearing high heels and flip flops at all costs as they do not properly fit and support feet and try and wear gym shoes with good arch support as much as possible.

10) Plantar Fasciitis – This is one of the most common foot pathologies. Plantar fasciitis is irritation and swelling of the thick tissue of the bottom of the foot. It most commonly presents as heel pain and may occur in conjunction with a heel spur. Most cases are well managed with medication and custom orthotic devices.

Your feet are the base that supports your entire body. Make sure that you keep your feet healthy in 2010 in order to ensure that your can do all the activities you are looking forward to this year.

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches it is time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for in our lives. Most people will give thanks for their Family, their jobs and most importantly their health. If you are someone who has issues with your feet or ankles and have been into a podiatrist’s office lately then I’m sure one of the things you may be thankful for this Thanksgiving is your Podiatrist! Whether you have lower extremity related problems or not, here are five reasons to be thankful for Podiatrists this Thanksgiving.

1) Diabetic Feet – One fact that many people don’t realize is that of the 23.6 million Americans or 7.8% of US citizens that have been diagnosed with diabetes, podiatrists are one of their primary doctors that they visit on a regular basis. Diabetic feet are a tricky and sensitive issue that podiatrists deal with on a daily basis. Diabetics over time may develop neuropathy which is a loss of sensation which in diabetics starts in the toes and moves up the leg. Podiatrists work especially hard with diabetics to make sure they are extra careful about their feet or they can develop potentially life threatening ulcers or infections.

2) Children’s Feet – Children make up a large segment of a podiatrist’s patients. Something that might surprise you is that podiatrists can work with children as young as 6 months old in order to try and correct any deformity of the lower extremity. One common example is children with club feet. Although this deformity can look devastating to a concerned parent, podiatrists work with these children over the years to literally straighten them out. Other common conditions, such as in toeing, out toeing, toe walking, plantar warts, and ingrown toenails are also addressed often.

3) Bunions – A bunion is a bony protrusion commonly located on the base of the big toe. If you have ever had a bunion you can attest that these deformities are annoying and at times painful. Fortunately there is a very common surgical procedure that podiatrist perform called a bunionectomy that can correct this abnormality. If a bunion is caught early, simply wearing a custom orthotic can prevent surgery altogether!

4) Warts – Most people will contract a wart at some point in their life. Podiatrists have the leading edge technology to take care of them if they develop on your feet. Podiatrists even will give you different options for treatment, such as medication or treatment with a laser.

5) Nail and Skin infections – This is a wide category but a very important one to be thankful that there are podiatrists to help treat and cure these infections. One of the most common infections that podiatrists treat is onychomycosis. This is a fungal infection of the nail that can spread if not treated properly. The important thing to remember is that many nail and skin infections can look very similar. It is important to get a podiatrists opinion if an infection develops on your feet.

We often don’t think about our feet until a problem occurs. This Thanksgiving, make a commitment to yourself to visit with your podiatrist and make sure you stay on the road of proper foot health.

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.

I’m pleased to announce that our website has been updated with new information on the topic of wounds. As I’ve mentioned before in this blog, chronic wounds are one of the leading cause of amputation in people with diabetes. In fact, an article by The Times in the UK stated that diabetes is responsible for 70% of lower-limb amputations. It has surpassed landmines as the leading cause around the world.

It’s important to understand the risk factors, causes, and treatment of wounds. Visit our website for more information, as well as a series of informative videos on this topic.

Throughout my years of practice, I have seen many patients wonder if a particular device or product is available and where to get it. They then proceed to go online and buy one for everyone they know because it’s a “miracle” cream/splint/support/etc. To save you some time searching, I’ve compiled the top five stocking stuffers that will make your family and friends smile as they pamper their feet.

1. Keep Calluses Soft…
Callex Ointment thins and softens calluses and dry, cracked heels. Its natural plant enzymes selectively exfoliate dry, cracked, thickened and scaly skin while its petrolatum base retains natural skin moisture. Callex is free of acids, mineral oil, colorants and lanolin and may also be used on sport, brace and work-related calluses. Callex significantly reduces the severity of foot calluses, dry or flaking skin and heel cracking.

2. …then Keep Them Gone!!
To help remove the softened dead skin, the Foot Buffer Pro is a podiatrist recommended buffer sponge system. One side is infused with a combination of healthy ingredients including glycerin gel for a gentle skin cleanser, skin softening olive oil and shea butter, Vitamins A & E for anti-oxidant protection and healing botanicals to freshen the feet. The other side is excellent for gentle exfoliation of loose, dry, scaly or flaky skin on the heels, soles and sides of the feet. The Foot Buffer provides a “spa-like” treatment to tired feet. A real “pick-me-up” at the end of a long day!

3. The BEST Foot Pad Around
I’m not a big Dr. Scholl’s fan, however they had a great product out several years ago called the cushlin callus cushion. It was a reusable silicone callus cushion that provided relief to the ball of the foot when the natural padding had eroded away. The problem that Dr. Scholl’s experienced was that they were TOO good. They lasted for months, their product sat on shelves, and in their infinite wisdom, they discontinued it. Along comes Dr. Jill’s, a company owned by a podiatrist, to fill in the void. Her Ball of Foot Callus Cushions takes a great product and improves on it. These purple pads are reusable and provide excellent cushioning to calluses beneath the foot, prominent bones due to lost fat padding, and pain from neuromas.

4. How About a Foot Facial?
With the Gilden Tree 4-Step Healthy Feet Kit you can soak, scrub, moisturize and protect those tired feet and rejuvinate them for the next day. This kit contains everything you need for healthier, more beautiful feet! Gilden Tree’s focus on Healthy Feet means that every product is effective and natural. This kit is a sampling of their best products – Softening Spa Soak, Exfoliating Foot Scrub, Healing Foot Cream and Shea Butter Balm. Great on cuticles, nails, elbows, and other dry skin. It’s a marvelous gift, and perfect for home pedicures or for travel. Scented with Kiran Forest, a captivating blend of fresh green botanicals.

5. It’s Time for a Safe Pedicure
Every year…maybe twice…there are horrifying stories about people getting limb-threatening infections from pedicures. The truth is, that salons are poorly regulated and often cut corners in disinfecting their equipment properly. By bringing your own equipment, you know that it only is used on you. The SOS Safe Salon Pedicure Kit provides everything you need for your pedicurist to provide a germ-free pedicure. It includes all natural tea tree and lavender Sole Savior Essential Moisturizing Oil, professional grade cuticle nipper, nail clipper, cuticle pusher and curette cleaner, nail brush, nail file, and two sets of toe separators. After the initial purchase, keep everything in good supply with the Pedicure Refill Kit, which will replace everything in the pedicure kit and includes a carrying case.

The holidays are a time for reflecting on the year past, but looking forward to a healthy year ahead. I hope that these suggestions will provide your loved ones with happiness and comfort for the coming year.

I’m sitting near my gate at the airport in Dallas returning from a very worthwhile podiatry conference. My flight is delayed and I’m passing the time by doing some reading, organizing my notes from the meeting, listening to my ipod, and people watching.

The one thing that is striking is the number of people who are traveling in what I consider to be the absolute worst footwear available…flip-flops. Sure, they have their place: the locker room at your gym, inside public showers, around the pool deck, and maybe one or two other uses. But absolutely not in an airport. I mention this for two reasons.

The first seems obvious but overlooked. I guarantee if you ask some of these people they’ll tell you it is the convenience of slipping them off to go through security. This baffles me! You mean to tell me that you want to go barefoot through the same path where thousands of people trudge each and every day. Think about it, along with your perfect bare feet walked how many before you with athlete’s foot, nail fungus, warts, or flesh-eating bacteria? (OK, not so much the flesh eating but you’ve got the point…lots of creepy crawly bad stuff) How often do you think they shut down the security lines to give the floor a good scrubbing? Ten times? Five? Even once? Unlikely!! Wear socks people. Most of the time when you wear tennis shoes you know you slip them on without retying them anyway, right?

Second, with the amount of walking in the airports, are shoes without any support or protection the right thing to wear. With all the people in airports, do you want your fellow traveler to step on your unprotected foot, or have the blow buffered by a shoe? This is not just for airports. The same applies for malls, Disney World, Six Flags, and most other places you can think of.

I remember when my wife and I were taking our baby classes before our son was born. I think my wife was the only woman not wearing flip flops each class. Coincidentally, she was also the only woman not complaining about foot pain. Ladies, I understand they’re cute and everyone is wearing them. But does that really matter when you’re forced to sit or limp in pain?

For more information visit: www.tanglewoodfootspecialists.com