Items filtered by date: July 2015

Kim Fatica of Backpacker’s Blaze has documented the hiking and backpacking trips of his relatives to document the importance of each activities shoe type to avoid blisters on the feet. Recently Fatica’s nephew, Matt, went on backpacking through the Appalachian trail wearing ill-fitting hiking boots and suffered severe blisters on the soles of his feet. Hiking boots are made for a lighter trail with little to no extra gear while backpacking boots are made with thicker reinforcements for a tougher journey. In both cases, having a shoe that is a size or so bigger will allow for room in the shoe when the foot expands and allows for better air circulation.

Hiking and backing are popular activities especially in the summer months and wearing the appropriate shoe for each activity is best to avoid blisters on the feet. If you have any concerns about your foot and ankle needs contact one of our podiatrists of Family Foot and Ankle Care of Moriches. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a band-aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister seek attention from a doctor.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Moriches, NY. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Ethan Finlay of the Columbus Crew SC has broken his toe during a game against the Chicago Fire. Gregg Berhalter, team manager, knew there was a problem during the game when a Chicago defender slid into Finlay, earning a yellow card for the defender. Finlay attempted to play after the injury, but ended up limping of the field and getting replaced by another team member. Berhalter plans to hold Finlay out of the next game with limited training, but he is not expected to miss more than just a couple of games.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns contact one of our podiatrists of Family Foot and Ankle Care of Moriches. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

·         throbbing pain

·         swelling

·         bruising on the skin and toenail

·         the inability to move the toe

·         toe appears crooked or disfigured

·         tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any concerns please feel free to contact our office located in Moriches, NY. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Corns, hardened layers of skin formed through pressure or friction on the feet, are known to be unsightly and painful. Without the proper treatment, abnormalities in the gait of the foot can arise. Experts suggest wearing proper fitting shoes, toe splints, or orthotics to reduce any pressure that may cause corns. Diabetics especially need to pay attention to this condition as diabetic feet are more susceptible to complications.

Corns can be a huge nuisance for the feet. If you have any foot or ankle concerns contact one of our podiatrists of Family Foot and Ankle Care of Moriches. Our doctors will attend to your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What are they? And how do you get rid of them?

Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns

There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

- Well-fitting socks

- Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot

- Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Treating corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Salicylic acid can help in getting rid of these corns because it dissolves keratin, which is the protein that makes up a good majority of corns. Podiatrists recommend that people with diabetes not use salicylic acid but should consult with their podiatrist regarding the treatment of corns.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office located in Moriches, NY. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Although sandals may be trendy and convenient during the summer, certain sandals can cause serious problems for feet. With strappy gladiator sandals in popular demand, come an array of potential issues including poor circulation, blisters, swelling, and the worsening of varicose veins. To prevent any foot damage from your sandals remember to give your feet a break from high heeled strappy sandals and to opt for a more comfortable shoe on some days, sit down and elevate the legs periodically to promote blood circulation, and only wear shoes that are the right fit for your feet.

Sandals are great for the summer, but it is important that you provide yourself with everyday foot care to keep any eye on any potential problems. For more information about everyday foot care, consult with one of our podiatrists of Family Foot and Ankle Care of Moriches. Our doctorswill provide you with the foot- and ankle information you seek.

Every Day Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. After all, without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks. It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before, for example.

For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops.

Also, wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Moriches, NY. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

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