It Used To Be Wet Shoes Were Ruined Shoes

Canoe-kayak-marathon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Years ago it used to be a kid had one pair of shoes. Two pair perhaps if they were from an affluent family, one pair for the work week and one for Sunday worship.  No wonder it was so often heard, “Don’t get your shoes wet.”  Wet shoes meant cracked leather and that shortened the usefulness of a pair of shoes.

Time marches on and things change. Now a person probably has five or six pair available to them or perhaps more. Shoes are becoming highly specialized. It’s almost like there is a pair for every function and keeping shoes dry is a thing of the past because there are shoes designed specifically to get wet - water shoes. Even water shoes are becoming specialized to the point where they may have multiple pair. Water shoes are designed with specialized mesh linings for quick drying and channeling systems that allow water to flow out of the shoes. Under what circumstances would you choose water shoes?  Well, to wear around the deck of a pool. This may be done for different reasons such as foot protection from injuries, traction to prevent slip and fall injuries or hygienic purposes. There are even shoes designed with specific water sports in mind, such as kayaking.

When kayaking, you should consider the weather and performance demands of the shoes.  A water sandal is good if the weather is warm because they allow for drainage and quick dry, while providing some protection for the foot. They have a snug fit and not a lot of straps to get tangled. Water booties are a better choice if the water is cold. They help keep the feet warm, have zippered or hook and loop closures to adjust for a snug fit. Serious kayakers may choose water boots that offer protection from water and cold all the way up to your knees.

If you need a shoe to take you close to the pools edge, you may wish to try something like Crocs. It gives you a little something to prevent slip, falls and keep your feet off the pool deck so your feet are away from fungus.  However, if you are in the pool for an aqua class and are going to be moving a lot, try a sneaker type shoe that offers a bit of support, stability and protection from impact. Then, hit the water’s edge. There isn’t anything more refreshing than a quick dip, when the mercury rises.

Water shoes offer protection at times when other shoes aren’t appropriate, but if an accident or injury occurs, contact Dr. Blaakman at (877) 941-3338. He provides caring and compassionate full service podiatric care to help keep you active.

References:

http://www.galttech.com/research/sports/best-water-shoes.php
http://www.livestrong.com/article/427103-good-water-shoes-for-kayaking/

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Hot Tips To Protect Your Cool Feet

Flip Flops, Blue (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Spring break is behind us now and school will let out shortly - if not already!  The lazy days of summer are stretching out before you, just begging you to come outside and play. If you’re like everyone else, this will probably mean some time out of shoes, maybe running on the beach or just wriggling toes in the sand. Whatever your pastime, let’s just take a couple of minutes and talk about foot protection over the summer.

• Pay special attention to your leather sneakers. Perspiration causes the damp warm dark environment in shoes that toenail fungus loves. And although shoes are a good thing for protecting your feet from lacerations and other injuries, toenail fungus is a hidden danger. Light and fresh air are natural enemies of fungus. Keep your shoes dry and aired out in the sunshine. Use an antifungal spray for an added source of protection.

• Sandals are a fresh and welcome choice for summer months, but don’t equate sandals with flip flops. Although they are bright, colorful and fun, flip-flops don’t provide any support or stability for your foot as they easily slide off and cause you to overhang them. They also break after a couple wearing’s.  Hit your local shoe store for a pair of leather sandals that has a formed heel cup and arch support. They’ll stay in place and conform better to your foot. There are a lot of styles available out there, so go shopping.

• If you have a steady hand with the polish and can give your nails a trimming now and then, you shouldn’t need a pedicure over the summer. The sand is a natural exfoliate. Just use caution as glass and bottle caps hide under beautiful white sand.

• When you’re at the beach, remember that the skin on the top of your foot has been protected by shoes and socks over the winter and early spring. The skin is tender and needs to be protected from the harsh burning rays of the sun, just like other parts of your body. Slather on the sunscreen and reapply after a swim to make sure of adequate protection.

Enjoy the summer, but remember if you have an accident or sustain a foot or ankle injury, call Dr. Blaakman at (877) 941-3338. Put your feet in his capable hands. Never allow pain to stand between you and what life has to offer.

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Nail Fungus - Kill It Now!

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is an unsightly and embarrassing condition that affects millions of Americans. The tendency is to want to hide the feet once a fungus appears, but the problem is that fungus thrives in dark, warm and moist environments such as the insides of shoes. There are many treatments available, but this is a persistent fungal infection that is resistive to treatment, therefore it is important to begin treatment at the first sign of nail fungus infection.

Symptoms of toenail fungus outbreak include:
   
•    Discoloration (may begin as a white or yellowish spot in the nail)

•    Thickening

•    Disfigurement

•    Dry and crumbling nails

Nail fungus tends to affect more men than women and age is a factor due to lower blood circulation and greater time of exposure to fungus. Other factors that increase the likelihood of infection include:

•    Damp environments

•    Heavy perspiration

•    Going barefoot at public pools, gyms and shower rooms

•    Athletes foot

•    An injured or damaged nail that allows infection to enter body

Dr. Blaakman will examine your feet first and may take a small scraping from under the nail. This can be examined through a microscope to determine the origination of the infection and better guide him in prescribing your treatment.

As previously mentioned, nail fungus can resist treatment and re-infection is common. There are over-the-counter medications available, but traditionally these have little effect. Dr. Blaakman may prescribe an oral medication, the most popular of which is Lamisil. The oral medications take a while to work, and it may take the nail months to grow back. However, persistence and patience is necessary.

Topical nail treatments are also a consideration either in the form or paint on or creams that are applied. Again, these take months to work, so they may be prescribed in conjunction with an oral medication. Dr. Blaakman may file away some of the affected nail so there is less area to treat and medication can be more easily absorbed. In the worst cases, Dr. Blaakman may recommend surgical removal of the nail, but the latest treatment using laser therapy to attack the fungus is showing promising results.

If you have nail fungus symptoms, don’t delay. Contact Upstate Footcare by calling (877) 941-3338 and let Dr. Blaakman evaluate your condition and determine the course of action appropriate for you. 

If you have experienced the horror of nail fungus, and have successful treatment results, please share your story below.

References:
 
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nail-fungus/DS00084

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Helpy Selfy Pedicures

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It probably feels so wonderful to sit in one of those over sized spa chairs and soak your feet in the warm swirling water, allowing the stress and aches to slowly ease out of your body, right?  Well, what happens when the nails need grooming and you can’t get to the salon for whatever reason? Oh! Sudden revelation! You do it yourself. Up until 25 or so years ago, many people did their own pedicures, or helped each other. But just in case you’ve forgotten, here’s a little refresher on tools, technique and precautions.

First, assemble the necessary tools and make sure they are sterile. You will need toe nail clippers, an emery board, pumice stone, cuticle softener, an orange stick and some cotton. Ladies, in preparation, remove old polish.

Now, here comes the good stuff:

• Allow yourself a warm soak, minimum of 5 minutes, but longer is nice too. Here’s a trick, if you’d like to add a little milk to your soak, the lactic acid will help remove dead skin.

• Use a pumice stone to gently scrub away the calloused and dried skin.

• Completely pat the feet dry, making sure you dry between the toes too. 

• Apply an emollient rich lotion, but not between the toes!

• Trim the nails straight across. Nails should be clipped short, but not too short. They should never extend past the end of the toe, and never clip the sides. This can lead to ingrown toenails.

• Use the fine grain side of an emery board to smooth the nails. A steel file is more likely to damage the nail. Smooth the nail, working from the outer edge toward the center, only filing in one direction.

• Apply a dab of cuticle softener to the base of each toenail and let it work for a minute.

• Cover the end of an orange stick with a small amount of cotton and gently push back the cuticle. Caution: It is difficult to trim cuticles at home and should probably be left for the pedicurist, as it is easy to cut yourself.

For polishing techniques, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTZ2_qIua0U. They have an excellent video on home pedicures. Just have a few more thoughts on pedicures to share. If you have that awful nail fungus, don’t polish. The polish coats and traps the infection. Instead, there are a variety of antimicrobial coatings that you can use.

Also guys, man up. This is not sissy stuff. If you looked at your feet or asked your lady she’d say that you need a pedicure too. It’s a part of good foot health care.  And if you ask nice, she might even help.

If you are diabetic, get some assistance from Dr. Blaakman. Your feet may lack sensation and putting them at greater risk if injured. Call him at (877) 941-3338 (FEET).
 
References:

http://www.healthyfeetblog.com/the-25-best-pedicure-tips-ever
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-orange-stick.htm

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Naked With No Visible Means of Support

Have you lost your arches? Have you been told you have flat feet? Reduce your stress level because the situation may not be that desperate. Flat feet, also referred to as pes planus or fallen arches, are a condition where the arch of the foot collapses. It can affect one or both feet. Babies are born with flat feet and it takes a few years for bones, tendons and ligaments to strengthen and grow, forming the foot’s arch. In most instances the arch develops in childhood, usually by age five or six, but in some cases, the arch of the foot never fully develops. About twenty percent of the world’s population has flat feet, or some degree thereof because their arches never completely formed.  This type of flat foot is rarely problematic, and would not likely require treatment.

Flat feet that develop in adults as a result of injury, illness, stress or aging are referred to as Adult Acquired Flat Foot. Factors contributing to the cause of this type of flat feet include weight, high blood pressure and diabetes. If you acquire flat feet as an adult, they will probably stay that way. Strength training of the muscles in the foot may help to retain or regain normal function, but the foot muscles are short, and most likely the arch would not re-develop.

If you want to monitor the condition of your arches, wet your feet then stand on a smooth surface. When the footprint shows a lot of sole, it indicates a flat foot. What do flat feet mean to you? Flat feet usually do not cause pain and would not require treatment.  However, if you are in the low percentage of people that experience pain in the foot, ankle or lower leg, see your podiatrist. He may recommend orthotics, exercises or physical therapy to help strengthen your feet. If your doctor prescribes orthotics you will probably need to use them for the remainder of your life. If much correction is required, it will likely be done gradually, over a period of time, allowing you to adjust in increments.

If you have pain that may be attributed to flat feet, call Dr. Blaakman.  He will be able to evaluate and diagnose you and provide a treatment plan just right for you. Whether it involves exercises or orthotics, it will help you on your way. For more information, or to set up an appointment, please call Dr. Blaakman at (877) 941-FEET (3338).

If you have a story about your flat feet, please share below…

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flatfeet/DS00449/DSECTION=causes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_feet

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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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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