High heeled shoes create a sexier and more flattering figure. They do this by tilting the hips, accentuating the bust-line and making the legs look longer. However, high heels can cause a great deal of discomfort: High heels can cause calf pain, heel pain, bunions, corns, calluses, ankle sprains, neuromas, hammertoes, pump bumps and pain to the ball of foot.
How do I encourage women to wear more sensible shoes? It's almost impossible. I do tell my well-heeled patients to limit their time spent in heels-never all day, just for a few hours. I also instruct them to buy shoes at the end of the day that fit comfortably across the widest part of the foot and wear gel or silicone insoles for a comfortable cushioning effect as well.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Mentor Office, 440-946-5858 with questions or comments.
Spring is sports season for many amateur athletes and weekend warriors in the Cleveland area. It's also ankle sprain season.Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries treated at this time of year due to people emerging from their winter hibernation and getting active again, through playing sports such as basketball, baseball, tennis and/or soccer.
If you injury your ankle prompt medical treatment is required, whether it's your first sprain or fifth. Rest, ice, compression and elevation (R.I.C.E.) can reduce swelling and pain until the ankle can be evaluated and treated. A sprain may not always be a sprain; the ankle could be fractured.
To prevent injury or sprain to your ankle follow the following tips to ensure safe play.First, perform warm-up stretches and exercises before playing sports.Second, wear the right shoes for the sport. For example, don't wear running shoes for sports that involve a lot of side-to-side movement, such as tennis and basketball.Lastly, wear an ankle brace if you're recovering from an injury or have repeatedly sprained your ankle.Follow these tips and enjoy the spring season.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Athlete's foot is a skin infection caused by fungus. A fungal infection may occur on any part of the body: On the foot it is called athlete’s foot or tinea pedis. Fungus commonly attacks the feet because it thrives in a dark, moist, warm environment such as a shoe.
Fungal infections are more common in warm weather when feet tend to sweat more. Fungus thrives in damp areas such as swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms. Athletes commonly have sweaty feet and use the facilities where fungus is commonly found, thus the term "athlete's foot."
Athlete's foot usually produces itchy, dry, scaling skin. It is commonly seen on the soles of the feet and in between the toes. In advanced cases, inflammation, cracks, and blisters may form. The fungus can spread to other areas of the body, including toenails.
Avoiding walking barefoot combined with good foot hygiene can help reduce the spread of the fungus. Feet should be washed every day with soap and water and thoroughly dried, including between the toes. Feet should be kept as dry as possible. If your feet sweat a lot you may need to change your socks during the day. Anti-fungal powders, sprays, and/or creams are often utilized to treat athlete's foot and our office will recommend the best treatment for you, therefore please give us a call, 440-946-5858.
What do fish have to do with your feet? Well, have you heard about the latest way to get rid of rough, dead skin (callouses) on your feet? A few salons through out the US have started using tiny little fish called garra rufa or doctor fish to eat the dead skin off of your feet and toes. After the fish are done with your feet a standard pedicure is performed. It sounds like the fish do not have any teeth, so they do not eat living skin. However, with any new treatment, I would advise caution and suggest you follow the 10 tips for a safe salon pedicure provided below.
1. Bring Your Own Instruments
This will help decrease the risk of catching viruses, bacteria and fungus. Things to bring include: nail nipper, cuticle nipper, cuticle pusher and curette cleaner.
2. Ask About Instrument Cleaning
Does the salon sterilize their instruments or do they just disinfect? Sterilization of instruments by autoclaving is the better choice.
3. Ask What Type of Foot Bath is Used
Usually the whirlpool foot bath is either piped or pipe-free. It is thought that pipe-free is better because piped whirlpool foot baths have been found to contain bacteria in their pipes, jets and water filtration systems. The pipe-free whirlpool foot baths can easily be removed for cleaning. If the foot bath uses a liner, make sure that a new liner is being used each time.
4. Ask If Disposable Items Are Used Only Once
Items such as nail files, foot files, buffers and toe separators should be used only once. You may want to consider bringing your own disposable items with you.
5. Make Sure Technician's Hands Are Clean
The nail technician should wash their hands in between clients. If they do not wash their hands, request that they do or that they wear gloves. Be cautious of a technician with fake (artificial) fingernails. It is hard to clean the area between the fake fingernail and the real fingernail.
6. Ask If the Salon and Technician Are Licensed
The salon and technician should both be licensed by the state governing board.
7. Don't Shave Legs 24 Hours Before Appointment
Nicks and cuts from shaving create small openings in the skin where bacteria can enter. If you have any open sores, wait until they heal before getting a pedicure.
8. Tell Technician Your Medical Conditions and Medications
Certain medical conditions and medications can increase the risk of infection. Examples include: Diabetes, lymphedema, PVD, neuropathy, HIV and autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Examples of medications include: chemotherapy agents and blood thinners such as coumadin.
9. Check If the Salon is Clean
The salon itself should be clean and well kept. This is usually a good indicator of how well they take care of their instruments and other salon equipment.
10. You Should Have No Pain
Getting a pedicure at the salon should not be a painful experience. Just like any business, there are good salons and not so good salons. Find a pedicure salon that follows strict sterilization procedures and find a technician who does not cause pain or do you harm.
Affiliated Podiatrists, Inc. is pleased to have you in our practice and hope to serve you well. We strive to deliver the type of service and atmosphere that you expect from a superb medical office.
High heeled shoes create a sexier and more flattering figure. They do this by tilting the hips, accentuating the bust-line and making the legs look longer. However, high heels can cause a great deal of discomfort: High heels can cause calf pain, heel pain, bunions, corns, calluses, ankle sprains, neuromas, hammertoes, pump bumps and pain to the ball of foot.
