It Takes More Than Two Alike to Make a Good Pair of Socks

Rainbow striped toe socks worn with thong sandals (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That’s a fact. Just because you can match up a pair, doesn’t mean it’s a good pair of socks. Shoes are dark. Add feet and you suddenly have warmth. Once an environment is warm and dark, when perspiration starts, the environment becomes a haven for fungus. Socks form a barrier between feet and shoes, but unless the socks are the right kind of socks, it may add to the problem and create new ones. In order to protect the feet from harmful bacteria and the elements, socks should have specific characteristics.

Some traits a good sock may exhibit:

• Synthetic fibers or blends

• Correct construction and length

• Tactile stimulation

• Appearance

• Cushioning

• Temperature

• Longevity

• Smooth seams

Socks should have moisture wicking capability to keep the foot as dry and comfortable as possible. In the winter damp feet can become very cold and no one wants hot sweaty feet in the summer. They just stink up your sneakers. Socks should be constructed to fit the foot. Tube socks may have a purpose. A tube sock is apt to slip down, bunch up and possibly cause blisters. Of course, everyone wants a sock that’s soft and pleasant feeling and if it’s not solid color and design is important then check out the work and pattern. Socks have areas of cushioning knit into them, so a good sock should have extra padding on the ball of the foot, along the arch and under the heel. If the socks are designed with a specific sport in mind, this may change the way the sock is padded.

A good pair of socks will help keep the feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This is due to fiber content and wicking capabilities. Some natural fibers such as Marino wool and silk have this ability, but once cotton gets damp, it stays damp and has a long drying time. Damp socks will bunch up and cause lumps. Look for synthetic or blends. Perhaps check out Aetrex socks that have copper ions embedded in the yarn.

Good socks perform a function. All things considered, they take care of your feet and form a barrier between your feet and shoes that provides healthy comfort. Keep your feet safer by changing socks to keep feet dry. Dark warm moist environments may allow fungus to gain a “foot hold,” and no one needs that.

If you think your socks may have let you down and you have corns from seams that have caused irritation, or the beginning of toenail fungus or any one of many other concerns, call Dr. Blaakman at (864) 487-3338. No need to get your socks in a bunch. Get an appointment and he can evaluate your concern and have you leave a happier and healthier person.

References:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?78201-More-Than-You-Ever-Wanted-To-Know-About-Top-Quality-Socks-2010-Update

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Plantar Fasciitis - A Real Pain

children foot - plantar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The plantar fascia is a thick and wide band of tissue that connects the heel band to the toes forming the arch of the foot. When this tissue becomes inflamed and irritated due to overuse or over stretching, it is called plantar fasciitis. This is a common complaint and most often affects patients between ages 40-60.

The pain ranges from minor to severe and is usually more noticeable:

• When you first get up in the morning

• After vigorous exercise

• After long periods of standing or sitting

This is a common ailment of distance runners, and can also affect pregnant women, people who are overweight and those who do not wear shoes with adequate support. The pain usually develops gradually.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis ranges from simple non-invasive to surgical in extreme cases. Pain will usually diminish with conservative treatment methods which may include:

• Rest

• Icing

• Heel stretching exercises

• Over-the-counter pain medication

• Shoes with better arch support

• Inserts or orthotics

• Reduce mileage if you are a runner, alternate with swimming and bicycling

Generally pain diminishes with persistent treatment. Occasionally when all other methods have failed, Dr. Blaakman may recommend surgery, but surgery has risks that he will discuss with you.
As with so many foot ailments, prevention is the best medicine. Start early by keeping your weight under control, wear quality and supportive shoes. Just because your shoes look good on the outside does not mean they aren’t worn out on the inside. If you are a runner or walk aggressively, buy new shoes at 300-500 miles. You may think your old comfy shoes are your best friends, but this is not true.

If you believe you have symptoms of plantar fasciitis, see Dr. Blaakman at once. Chances of treatment being successful are greater with early intervention. During your examination, Dr. Blaakman will likely look for swelling, redness and tightness in the bottom of the foot. He may want an x-ray to rule out other conditions and he will ask questions about your medical history, if you have other pain and also ask about your physical activity. The treatment plan he develops for you will take all of this into consideration. Call him at (877) 941-3338 (FEET) so he can get you back on your feet.

References:
 
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/plantar-fasciitis/DS00508/

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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

In With the Right Growth and Out With the Ingrown

Toenails (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail grows into the soft tissue at the corner or side of your toe. Although any toenail can become ingrown it usually is the big toe. They can be very painful and are usually visibly red and swollen. If neglected, or not cared for properly, they can become infected. Usually, you can treat an ingrown toenail by yourself, but if it is extremely painful your doctor can assist you. If you have diabetes, it is important that you have your podiatrist examine and treat your foot so that you avoid further problems. 

Symptoms include:

    •    Pain along one or both sides or corners of your nail

    •    Redness and swelling

    •    Infection alongside the nail

Ingrown toenails can be caused by:

    •    Shoes that are poorly shaped and crowd the toes

    •    An injury to the toe

    •    Poorly trimmed nails or nails that are trimmed too short

    •    Toenails that grow in an unusual manner

If caught in the early stages, treatment of an ingrown toenail may be able to be done at home.   However, repeated cutting of the nail can compound the situation. If there is a sign of infection, you are better off to have your doctor treat it, especially if you have any additional medical concerns like diabetes that make your feet more vulnerable.

Beneficial home remedies for ingrown toenails include room temperature soaks with Epsom salts added to the water. After the soak gently rub the area around the nail. This may help to alleviate swelling. Wedging cotton under the nail is not recommended as this provides an area for bacteria to grow, which can lead to infection. Over the counter medications are not beneficial because they may disguise the pain, but they do not improve the situation. If pain continues for more than a couple of days, it’s time to see your doctor.

Sometimes after treatment an ingrown toenail can return. If this is the case, Dr. Blaakman may recommend a slight in office surgical procedure to remove the side of the nail, or in more serious cases the root of the nail. Once the offending nail is gone, so is the pain.

If you have an ingrown toenail that is still aggravating you, call for an appointment today (877) 941-3338. For more information visit our website.

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ingrown-toenails/DS00111/DSECTION=complications
http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/ingrown-toenail.htm

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Morton’s Neuromatherapy

Platform shoes. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Morton’s neuroma is a condition that develops over time. It is characterized by the sensation that there is a lump on the bottom of your foot, or everything is all scrunched up down there. It can make day to day activities painful, especially when pressure is placed on the bottom of the foot near the third and fourth toe. Other sensations may be tingling in the toes, progressively worsening to sharp burning pain. Since the condition develops gradually, the pain is often intermittent, possibly going for long periods of time with no pain at all. The nerve between the toes (usually between the 3rd and 4th toes) becomes irritated, inflamed and thickens.

The exact cause of Morton’s neuroma is not known, but theories suggest pressure, compression and injury as possible factors. Women are affected more than men, especially those who wear poorly padded, ill formed shoes, such as high heels. Runners and other athletes who have hard repetitive action on the balls of their feet are also commonly affected.

If you want to be free of Morton’s neuroma then you should try to avoid:

    •    High heels
    •    Shoes with restrictive or poorly formed to boxes
    •    Shoes that cause abnormal toe positions

Dr. Blaakman can diagnosis Morton’s neuroma by examining, manipulating and attempting to cause the same conditions that may restrict your foot. Tests may be ordered to rule out other possible conditions that show the same type of pain. Dr. Blaakman can develop a treatment plan based on your specific case. 

Treatment will depend on your needs and severity. Non-surgical treatment options may include:

    •    Icing to help reduce swelling
    •    Shoe inserts to alleviate pressure on the affected area
    •    Padding
    •    Change of foot wear to allow toes more room
    •    Oral NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen
    •    Physical therapy
    •    Change or reduction in activity until condition improves

If conservative treatment methods are not successful, surgery may be recommended, but early diagnosis and treatment can possibly avoid this or at least reduce recovery time. If you experience pain that may indicate Morton’s neuroma, call Dr. Blaakman at (877) 941-3338 (FEET) or visit our website. With his expert help and treatment, your feet can last a lifetime.

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mortons-neuroma/DS00468/DSECTION=symptoms
http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/mortons-neuroma.htm

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