Warts – Oh My!

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)Do you feel an intense pain in the sole of your foot when you first step on it?  Does the sole of your foot reveal a small spot similar to a callous or corn, but is extremely tender to touch? These may be signs of plantar warts.

Plantar warts are caused by a very common viral infection known as the human papillomavirus (HPV), which affects the outermost layers of the skin. Although these warts can be found in any age bracket, they are most common in young people age 12-16. They can be caused by use of public areas such as gyms or showers, and also occur from skin trauma, which allows the virus access.  Since Plantar Warts occur mostly on the sole of the foot in areas that receive a lot of pressure and friction, they can be quite painful. Many warts will disappear over a period of time, and no treatment is necessary.  However, in some instances the placement of these warts can affect your ability to stand or walk, and need to be treated.

Treatment of plantar warts can vary. There are over-the-counter medications, usually containing Salicylic Acid, that are generally successful. Application followed by gentle scraping can be effective. If relief is not found by use of these medications, other treatment methods such as burning, freezing or surgical removal may be necessary. Dr. Blaakman can make an evaluation, provide recommendations and treatment options.

Now is a good time to apply the “ounce of prevention…” rule. There are several steps that you can take which include:

    •    Avoid walking barefoot, especially in public showers and locker rooms. Use shower thongs or sandals.

    •    Change shoes and socks daily, and keep feet clean and dry

    •    Do not pick at or scratch warts as they can spread.

    •    Cover warts with a waterproof barrier, when in the shower, to prevent spreading

Warts can be stubborn, so work with your doctor, and be diligent with the treatment program. They know what is best for you. If you have concerns, or suspect you may have plantar warts, contact Dr. Blaakman by calling (877) 941-3338 or on Upstate Footcare's website. There is nothing like two healthy feet to get you where you need to go.



Resources:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/plantar_warts/article_em.htm

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All about Gout

Gout in right big toe, with advanced swelling (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Do you suffer from painful swelling, redness and inflammation of your toes, heels or ankles?  Does this condition come and go?  Does it worsen in severity and frequency and does the duration lengthen?  If you answered yes then you may suffer from GOUT.  Gout is a common arthritic condition that is caused by a buildup or excessive amount of uric acid which crystallizes in the joints.

More than eight million people in the U.S. suffer from gout, and over the past two decades, numbers have risen dramatically. Men who consume alcohol are at greater risk for gout, especially if there are others in their family who suffer from it. Symptoms of gout can occur suddenly, are intensely painful and usually last a day or two, at first. These are acute gout symptoms. It is most prevalent in men over 40 years old and acute symptoms will usually show in the big toe first.  However, other joints that can be affected are the feet, knees, hands, ankles and wrists.  Chronic gout symptoms are the result of repeated gout attacks.  Nodules can form under the skin, which is extremely painful during a gout attack, and can lead to open and infected wounds.

Diet is a major contributing factor to gout, and therefore must be considered in prevention as well as treatment. Certain foods are more likely to cause gout. These include:

    •    Organ meats

    •    Red meats

    •    Fish high in oils (tuna, anchovies)

    •    Cauliflower and asparagus

These are the same foods that need to be avoided during an attack of gout, or eliminated altogether, if you suffer from gout. Certain diseases or medical conditions can make you more susceptible to attacks of gout.  These include:

    •    High blood pressure

    •    Diabetes

    •    Obesity

    •    Low thyroid function

    •    Renal failure

Treatment options for gout include medications and possibly even acupuncture can provide some relief, but it is important to change your diet. Reduce red meats, increase fruits rich in antioxidants (cherries are great), change to low fat or no fat dairy products, eliminate alcohol and eat high quality complex carbohydrates as opposed to sugary foods.  

Since gout usually shows up in the big toe or foot first, Dr. Blaakman can assist with your evaluation, and start you on a treatment program that is right for you.  Call him at (877)941-FEET (3338).

References:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/gout.html
http://www.healthline.com/health/gout

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Sky High Fashion

Image via WikipediaAs you watched the Oscars a couple weeks ago, what amazed you more, the dresses or the shoes? Remember when the fashion news included who the stars’ dress designer was?  Well now the commentary isn’t complete unless we know who the shoe designer is also. This is all well and good, but to spend so much money on something that you can’t stand to be in for more than a few minutes, seems extravagant, even for Hollywood.  On February 26th, our favorite girl next door, Sandra Bullock, attended a pre-Oscar party wearing black pants, a black lace top, white jacket and a pair of black and white stilettos.  A couple of hours after arriving at the party, she was seen leaving, with shoes in hand.  She was walking the concrete carpet in her bare feet!  Now that makes more sense.

It really doesn’t make sense to become such a slave to fashion. Women are willing to undergo hours of torture and torment by cramming their feet into ill formed, poorly fitting shoes that force them to mince along, teetering like they are walking a cliff’s edge.  All attention is focused on how to maintain an unnatural balance, with a fake smile glued to the face, which covers the pinched expression the face would make and give away the painful feeling in the feet.

Understand that Hollywood egos are all about glamour and one-upsmanship, but really, can’t a shoe designer make an attractive pair of shoes with a two inch heel?  Why do heels have to be six inches high?  The foot is forced into such an unnatural position, all of the weight bearing being done on the ball of the foot.  Feel the neuromas developing now.  Oh, the burning pain from the friction.

The logical thing to do would be to start a new trend.  A designer who could actually make a shoe with a modest two inch heel and one that is elegant enough to wear with haute couture.  Now that designer could really create a niche for himself in the marketplace.  Until that happens, though, women will probably continue to stumble and trip along the red carpet, complain about their sore, tired feet and doff their shoes at the first opportunity.  Meanwhile, Hollywood podiatrists can continue to offer post-Oscar specials.

Do you love wearing high heels, but struggle with foot pain afterward?  What do you do to relieve the pain?  Comment below, we would love to hear from you.  Also, if you would like more information about foot pain and high heel wear, please contact Dr. Blaakman at (877) 941-FEET (3338).

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Hammertoes – Our Poor Battered Feet

Image via WikipediaHave you sat and contemplated your feet recently and come to the realization that you need to put your Podiatrist on retainer. This is not a decision to be made lightly, nor should it be based solely on aesthetics.  At the same time while giving your feet a cursory inspection, also pay attention to how they feel.  When was the last time you really examined your feet. It probably never fell real high on your list of priorities.   Have you noticed over the years that your toes may have taken a downward turn? Do your toes look like they are in a constant position of trying to pick a pencil up off the floor? Do they feel a little uncomfortable or irritated? If so, you may be showing signs of hammertoes, which is a bending of the toes that occurs over time. It gets progressively worse and will not get better on its own. For this reason, early intervention is recommended.

One of the known causes and aggravating factors of hammertoes is poorly fit shoes that either crowd the toes side to side, or are too short to give the toes enough room, often the case with high heels.  Common symptoms of hammertoes include:

    •    Pain or irritation of the affected toe(s) when shoes are worn

    •    Red and swollen

    •    Development of corns or calluses

    •    Increased bending and deformity of the toes

Treatment methods can be non-surgical or surgical. After Dr. Blaakman has examined your feet, he will recommend a treatment plan which addresses your specific needs. A non-surgical approach may include roomier shoes, orthotics, pads for corns or calluses and splinting or strapping to bring the toes back into alignment. On occasion surgery is necessary. This usually happens when the toes become stiff enough to cause pain or open sores develop as a result of the angle of the toe being so pronounced that it rubs on the shoe.

In determining the right course of treatment, Dr. Blaakman will take into consideration the extent of the deformity, your age and activity level and any other factors that enter into play. If you have hammertoes and would like more information about possible treatment, contact us for an appointment.

References:

http://www.fothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/hammertoes.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hammertoe-and-mallet-toe/DS00480

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Haglund’s Deformity-A Walking Nightmare

Image via WikipediaHaglund’s deformity, sometimes referred to as the “pump bump” is a bony protrusion in the heel area, which is thought to be caused primarily by pressure from shoes, although there may be other factors involved. Between the bone and the Achilles tendon is a small sac of lubricating fluid which allows for easier movement. A prominent heel bump can squeeze the soft tissue between the bone and the shoe. This can cause inflammation and a build-up of tissue that creates even more pressure.

The most notable symptom of Haglund’s deformity is pain in the back of the heel. The tissue that thickens in this area and forms a callus type buildup doesn’t usually impede function or interfere with walking, but the bursitis, which causes swelling and inflammation, can create a great deal of pain when shoes are worn.

Diagnosis of Haglund’s deformity can usually be made visually, but our office will probably want to get x-rays to have a better picture of how the heel bone is shaped, and rule out other possibilities that might cause your heel pain.

Treatment can be either non-surgical or surgical. However, much of that depends upon your diagnosis.  Below are some non-surgical options, which include, but not limited to:

    •    Taking over-the-counter medications - such as Ibuprofen to reduce swelling and discomfort.

    •    Icing the area – you can use a towel between ice and skin, and apply it  to the inflamed area for 20 minutes, then wait at least 40 minutes before applying again.

    •    Exercising – this will help relieve tension in the Achilles tendon.

    •    Heel lifts or heel pads – these may help relieve pressure and lessen irritation.

    •    Changing your shoes – wearing a backless shoe will help to avoid irritation.

You can find more information by clicking here.

If non-surgical treatments fail to provide relief, surgery may be required. Dr. Blaakman will determine what course of treatment best suits you.

If you have swelling and pain in one or both heels, call our office at (877) 941-FEET (3338).

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