Tips :

REMEMBER - NOVEMBER IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH.

DIABETES:   The loss of a foot or leg is one of the greatest fears faced by diabetics.  The key to avoiding such complications is a daily self-exam of the feet.  A doctor should be contacted immediately about any of the following symptoms:  cold feet, slow-healing cuts, shiny skin, hair loss on the feet or toes, thickened toenails, overgrown calluses or corns, abcesses or ulcerations, ingrown toenails, fungus infections, blisters or cracking skin.  Pain should also signal a prompt call to the doctor, particularly if it is shooting or knifelike and most severe while lying down.  Make a habit of examining your feet every day at the same time, such as after bathing, and use a mirror to inspect the bottoms of your feet.  Whether you suffer from diabetes or not, regular foot care with the supervision of a specialist is advisable.

CORNS, CALLUSES, AND BLISTERS:  Skin irritations caused by excessive friction, as from too-tight shoes. Causes: friction - part of your foot is rubbing against part of your shoe.  Self-care:  avoid over-the-counter corn or callus removers; the acids designed to attack the layers of dead skin can also cause burns and lead to infections in normal tissue; callus files are also potential causes of infection - don't use them; best option - petroleum jelly on the affected area and clean, white, cotton socks, which sharply reduce friction.  If they continue to be an issue, call for an appointment with us.

CANCER AND YOUR FEET:  Of all the ills that can befall our feet, cancer is rarely one that comes to mind for most people.  Yet cancer, in the form of malignant melanoma, can and does affect the foot.  As when it occurs elsewhere on the body, malignant melanoma is one of the most virulent forms of skin cancer.  It can appear as a spot or growth that is flat or raised above the skin, small or large, and varying in color from red to brown or black.  It may originate anywhere, including under the toenail.  Early detection is critical.  Any suspicious spot or growth or changes in a previously existing mole should be examined immediately.  Treatment is usually limited to surgical removal of the lesion and surrounding skin.  Removal of regional lymph nodes is also sometimes necessary.

NEUROMA:  Neuroma is a swollen, pinched nerve in the ball of the foot, between either the second and third toes or the third and fourth.  Causes:  an injury or imbalance in your walking gait that puts extra stress on the joints; the condition may be aggravated by tight shoes and high heels.  Symptoms: a gnawing soreness, a burning, stinging numbness or a sense of fullness on the ball of the foot, near where toes join the foot.  Self-care: early treatment is essential; rest and ice can provide some relief, but changing shoes and getting a professional to help you balance your walking gait may be needed to cure the problem; a small wad of tissue paper or foam pad, worn between the affected toes while walking, may help relieve pressure on the swollen nerve.  Medical intervention: if the problem does not correct itself, surgery may be necessary.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS:  Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of fibrous tissue supporting the sole of the foot, often associated with a heel spur.  Symptoms:  Often accompanies a heel spur; the discomfort is usually on the inside of the heel.  Prevention:  wear shoes that give maximum support, perhaps with an additional arch support; make sure shoes are not excessively worn; avoid stretching the heel cord, by not walking on hard surfaces.  Self-care:  aspirin and ice packs after a workout, or when the pain starts to surface.

INGROWN TOENAILS:  Did you know that your parents can actually give you ingrown nails?  Many times they are hereditary, passed down from parent to child.  If the ingrown nail is not hereditary, it may be caused by an injury, a tight shoe fit, or faulty nail trimming.  Usually located on the big toe, an ingrown nail is a curved nail growing into the skin.  It can be on both sides of the nail or just on one side-which is more common.  You may see redness, swelling, and oozing, combined with some pain.  Soak the feet in warm, not hot water.  Sometimes, you may be able to place cotton under the nail to relieve some of the pressure.  If this does not solve the problem, we need to see you at the foot clinic.

DIABETIC FEET: HANDLE WITH CARE-Diabetics have many health concerns, not the least of which is paying close attention to their feet.  Because the feet are at a greater distance from the heart, the poor circulation and nerve impairment that often accompany diabetes, can put the feet at risk.  Poor circulation means that the feet have a harder time fighting infections and healing.   The resulting complications can be as serious as foot ulcers, or in extreme cases, amputation.  Numbness, tingling, "cold feet" or a bluish discoloration are symptoms of circulatory trouble.  When nerves are impaired, the feet can be injured without a moment of pain.  The diabetic doesn't notice because he can't feel the pain, due to nerve damage.  In such cases, even a hot bath can be an occasion for a serious burn.  A regular program of foot hygiene, some common sense, and regular podiatric medical examinations can keep diabetics on their feet and walking.  Diabetics should visit us at least twice a year.  Daily foot hygiene and regular inspection are also essential, along with avoiding activities or habits that can restrict circulation.  Some of these include:  sitting with crossed legs, exposing the feet to the cold, wearing restrictive clothing like garters or tight undergarments, and smoking can affect the circulation of diabetics.         

ACHILLES TENDINITIS:  Achilles tendinitis is a slight soreness in the tendon that attaches the large calf muscle to the heel.  Causes:  overuse; aging, which reduces blood flow to the tendon, making it more prone to injury; shoes that are too loose, with heels that are too high or too low; an exercise program low on stretching.  Prevention:  stretch after every warm-up and at the end of every walk.  Self-care:  ice treatments for the first two to three days, followed by moist heat and gentle stretching; gentle massage may help by increasing the circulation, but avoid deep massage-it may aggravate inflammation. 

CRAMPS - Cramps are painful muscle spasms from a sudden increase in activity.  Prevention:  start out slowly and increase your workout gradually; take care to stretch regularly, especially during the first few weeks of a new walking program, when cramps are most likely; add extra cushioning or an arch support if that's where your foot cramps; if cramping or pain occurs after walking a short distance and if it is accompanied by swelling, pinpoint pain or redness, these could be symptoms of circulartory problems and should be treated as soon as possible.  Self-care:  if you cramp up while walking, stop and take your shoes and socks off; gently massage the cramp away; make sure you put your shoes back on; after you walk, soak your feet in warm, not hot, water, followed with some kind of cooling liniment.  If this problem continues it's important we see you as this could indicate a much more serious problem.