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crackedheels
2Oct

crackedheels

are common, with 20 percent of adults having experienced cracked heels at one time. It can happen in children also, though it seems to affect women more. In severe cases, dry cracked feet with cuts cause and pain when walking.

The best-cracked heels remedy is to prevent them. Look at your daily routine and identify any habits that leave the heels vulnerable to cracks and alter them to prevent cracked heels.

Some factors that pose a risk to the development of cracked heels include

  1. Lack of moisture

This causes most cracked heels because the skin under the feet is rough, chapped, and dry. It has a small number of sweat glands and hence less skin elasticity. Exposing your feet to water for long strips off the natural oils from the skin, leaving it dry.

Apply thick moisturizers to soften and moisturize the heels. Find moisturizers with the following ingredients urea, salicylic acid, saccharide isomerate, and alpha-hydroxy acids. These also are the best cream for cracked heels and help in treating cracked heels.

  1. Deficiencies

Inadequate intake of zinc, vitamins, and minerals affects the health of your heels and they may crack. Increase the intake of these in your diet for a supple heel skin.

  1. Applied Pressure

If you spend a long time standing during the day, the excess stress is applied to the skin of the heel may cause a crack. The pressure put and the lack of a flexible heel skin leads to cracked heels. Being overweight also increases the pressure on the fat under the heel as it expands sideways. The wearing of exposing footwear, such as open back sandals and shoes, forces the fat under the heel to expand sideways and increase the possibility of cracked heels.

Regular through soaking and moisturizing is crucial, especially where pressure is applied. Keep your feet for up to 20 minutes in lukewarm soapy water. Then use a foot scrubber or pumice stone to get rid of thick hard skin. Wipe your feet off and apply a thick moisturizer. Apply petroleum jelly to lock in moisture and put on socks. One can also use moisturizing heel sleeves that contain vitamins and therapeutic oils to treat the dry skin.

  1. Disorders

Some skin conditions leave the heel susceptible to cracking. These conditions include athletes’ foot, eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, thyroid disease, among other skin conditions. Aging skin also loses its elasticity with age and chances of are high. In case you experience cracked heels due to medical conditions or aging you need to cracked heels treatment from a before applying any foot crack cream. Also, if you experience severely cracked heels, seek evaluation by a regardless of your medical history.

However, the best form of treatment for a is to prevent cracks from occurring in the first place. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist if you have been unsuccessful in getting rid of your cracked heels. Our , Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care needed to get you up and running in no time.

elderly foot care
23Sep

elderly foot care

Foot problems in the elderly develop due to the aging process, poor circulation, and systematic diseases. The common causes of pain are disability, skin problems, calluses, corns, and nails. They can lead to structural problems and disorders that can cause the seniors immobility for a while. When seeking geriatric foot care, consult a foot health specialist who can identify minor and serious foot problems and conditions, and treat them accordingly.

How to offer elderly services

 With aging, feet become wider and flatten because the fatty wears down. The joints and bones are exposed to tear and wear. There are that are readily available for seniors.  

  1. Maintain good feet hygiene

Whether an older adult needs help with bathes, the feet should be washed at least once a week. Maintaining foot hygiene prevents viral, bacterial, and . Foot cleaning can be done outside the shower. Regular foot wipe downs and foot massages promote relaxation and blood circulation.

  1. Moisturize the feet

Older adults have drier skin that is more prone to breaking, flaking, and cracking that causes open foot sores. After thorough washing and drying the feet, apply a lotion that locks in moisture to keep the skin supple and soft. Cover the feet with cotton and acrylic blend socks for warmth and comfort.

  1. Toenail cutting service for the elderly

It is a crucial part of foot care because overgrown toenails interfere with mobility and cause pain. However, toenail cutting service should be done by a podiatrist for elderly especially, if the older adult has health conditions such as diabetes or dementia to avoid causing discomfort, fear, or paranoia.

DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center specializes in treatment. Feel free to contact our office to book an appointment with our podiatrist. Our Houston , Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide your elderly one with the care needed to keep them pain-free and on their feet.

  1. Regularly examine the feet

You need to closely monitor the senior’s feet and take note of any cracks, cuts, splinters, pressure sores, and blisters. The most common location for bedsores is on the heels of the feet. If the senior spends most time in bed or a chair, pressure or irritation on the skin can cause tissue breakdown. If these injuries do not show improvement within 24 hours, contact a specialist.

  1. Proper footwear

As I age, I also need to contact to have my feet measured to get the right shoe sizes. Oversize or small size shoes affect the comfort levels of the feet that can cause blisters and other ailments that can impair mobility. The shoe heels should not be higher than 1 inch, and they should support the foot arch type.

Proper is given to non-diabetic and diabetic elderly patients. Minor foot abnormalities that are preventable may lead to severe foot problems if not attended to on time. Injuries can impair the function of the feet and cause mobility and balance issues to the elderly. Podiatrists are well trained to give foot care programs following the pathophysiology of and provide nail care. 

foot corn
13Sep

foot corn

Corns occur at pressure points causing corn on bottom of foot or corn on top of foot or at the side of toes, the balls of the feet, and between toes. Corns on feet can be painful, but they are a response by the body to protect sensitive skin.

Types of

Hard corn – This is a patch of thickened dead skin with a central core that presses on the nerve endings, and it occurs on the tips, tops, and side of toes.

Soft corn – This usually appears between the 4th and 5th toes, it has a thinner surface, rubbery in texture, and appear to be gray or whitish.

– It occurs at the bottom of the foot; it is tiny and very tender due to its location. It can be caused by plugged sweat ducts.

Causes of the corns

Corns develop due to improper walking motion and ill-fitting shoes. High-heeled shoes increase the risk of developing corns in women because they put additional pressure on the feet. Other risk factors include wearing sandals without socks due to friction on the feet and some foot deformities.

Pressure or rubbing causes soft corns or calluses. If a child develops foot corn with no source of pressure, consult a for proper diagnosis; it could be a foreign body or a wart.

Due to the wearing of shoes, the feet are in a moist environment ideal of breeding. If the bacteria enter through the skin of the corn causing and fluid, this leads to staph infections.

Foot

There are over the counter corn remover options, but it is a good idea to soak and scrape for the medications to work faster. When pressure and friction causing corns are relieved corns go away.

  1. Soak the corn for five to 10 minutes in warm water to soften the skin.
  2. Dip the pumice in warm water then use it to gently file the corn in sideways or circular motion to remove dead skin. Please be careful to not take too much skin to avoid infections and bleeding.
  3. Use donut-shaped adhesive pads to protect corns from further irritation during activity and to prevent any direct contact with the shoes.
  4. Wear properly fitting shoes because the wrong size and shape of your feet could lead to the development of corns. To get the right fitting shoe shop for the shoes at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen.
  5. Keep your trimmed because long toenails can push the toes and against the shoe causing a corn to form over time.

If you have poor circulation or fragile skin, or you have underlying conditions such as diabetes or peripheral arterial disease visit a podiatrist for foot .  If you notice signs of infections such as pus, very painful, redness, or swelling visit a podiatrist. The foot doctor can cut away the thickened skin with a scalpel to relieve pressure on the tissue beneath it. If you have questions about foot corn(s) on your feet, you should reach out to a . Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our Houston , Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

Laser toenail
7Sep

Laser toenail

Laser fungus treatment is effective with no risk of toxicity to the liver or side effects due to medication interaction.  There has been clinical evidence that improves the condition of severe fungus toenail infections and clears the . infections lie under the nail; this poses a challenge to get rid of the fungus using topical medications. and antifungal nail polish are associated with harmful drug interactions and side effects because of persistent fungus infections. Home remedies also improve the condition for some time, then it reoccurs. The laser fungus treatment is known to penetrate through the nail to destroy the fungus without damaging the tissue around the nail.

Several studies conducted over the use of the laser to treat have led manufacturers to improve their laser design to better their equipment and maximize the therapeutic effects.

Advantages of laser treatment for toenail fungus

  • The laser treatment cures different
  • No anesthesia
  • The procedure is safe and painless, but some people feel a warm sensation
  • No side effects and no drugs are needed
  • No recovery time needed – you will walk out after the treatment
  • It takes about 20 minutes for a podiatrist to administer the treatment
  • The treatment does not harm the nail or the surrounding skin

How is the laser toenail treatment administered?

Studies have shown that laser toenail treatment has over a ninety percent success rate. These depend on the use of the latest generation laser equipment and how long the treatment is administered. To eradicate the fungus, it is a requirement that a patient attends repeat visits for over 3 months. The treatment takes 10-15 minutes to be administered, over a 30day interval for three months. This administration has proven to be very effective in healing even severe cases of fungal toenail infection.

Most cases have proven to improve with a single treatment. Even with laser treatment, it is essential to maintain proper post-treatment care to avoid the fungus attacking again.

How long after treatment does one notice the improvement of the ?

It depends on the origin of the infection, but as early as three weeks, one can notice the improvement of the nails. From then on, the improvement is gradual until the nail grows out. It takes 9-12 months for the toenails to grow out.

Is it safe to apply nail polish?

The day before the treatment, remove all nail decorations and nail polish. After the treatment, you can apply nail polish without fear of any side effects.

Laser has several advantages over other treatments that have limited success rates. If you have questions about fungus in your toenails, you should reach out to a . Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our Houston , Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale, can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

childrens feet
1Sep

childrens feet

A pair of last a lifetime, and the best way to ensure that is by caring for your child’s feet. As your child grows, regular monitoring of the feet development is necessary for early detection of any unusual changes. These should be resolved early by seeking baby feet treatment from a pediatric foot doctor. The child’s feet ligaments and muscles need time to develop stiffness because their bones are soft with flexible cartilage that hardens over time, until their teenage years.

How to keep your child’s feet healthy

  1. Encourage your child to walk around barefoot or with soft-soled shoes as much as possible. It is terrific for growing feet because the soles of the feet send sensory information from the ground. The foot muscles develop and get stronger and allow air circulation around the entire foot.
  2. Kid’s feet are always moist and sweaty; they need to be washed and dried daily. Pay special attention when drying between the toes to avoid .
  3. Always keep the toenails trimmed in a straight line without cutting around the corner. Long toenails dig into other nails and shoes causing the feet .
  4. Choose the right footwear; socks should not be too tight because it affects circulation. The socks should have at least 50 percent of cotton or wool that allows the feet to breathe. Children outgrow their shoes quickly, and immediately you notice the kid’s shoes do not fit replace them to avoid damaging the feet. Ensure your child wears a shoe with comfortable length and width with plenty of room for the toes. The part of the shoe that goes around the back of the heel should be solid hard and use fasteners to prevent unnecessary movement of the foot inside the shoe.

Common foot problems in kids

Baby flat feet – Child’s feet look flatter than an adult foot. The feet are flexible, but within six years, the child’s normal arches should have developed. If you notice your child is experiencing , or seem to be having a hard time walking, see a children’s foot doctor for further guidance.

Corns – This is due to excess pressure from too-tight shoes, causing accumulation and hardening of the skin.

Bunions –The inflammation of the big .

– Caused by incorrect toenail cutting and tight shoes forcing the edge of the toenails down to the skin.

Feet that turn inwards –Feet turning can happen on the upper leg, lower leg, or the foot. When a child starts to walk from eight months of age, their feet appear flat and they turn inwards. The flat-footedness improves with the strengthening of the feet muscles. Visit a pediatric foot doctor if the feet turning is severe, if it does not improve with age, or it affects just one leg.

If you notice the excess tripping in your school-going child, or abnormally shaped toes, or the child complains of pain, or they have a sudden change in their walk, seek kids ‘s opinion. If you have questions about caring for your , you should reach out to a for his/her expert advice. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our foot and ankle doctor, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

foot exercise
25Aug

foot exercise

Our feet move us around all day, yet we less often care about what we wear, the surfaces we walk on, and when it comes to self-care, the feet get the least attention. Most people have experienced one kind of , and it impacts on your health and the quality of your life. Unfortunately, you are likely to suffer social, physical, and psychological afflictions because of foot dysfunction. Be a good friend to your feet, avoid harmful habits, and promote for happy, healthy feet.

Foot Exercises

They keep the feet strong, improve their flexibility and overall health. The muscles at the feet and ankles provide support, and regular exercising and stretching ensure healthy, strong muscles. The exercises keep you strong and in motion for long. Most exercises do not require complicated equipment and they can be done at home as a routine.

raise, point, and curl

Step 1: Sit up straight with the feet flat on the floor, then raise the heels and keep your toes on the floor. Let the balls of the feet remain on the ground and hold the position for at least 5 seconds before lowering them.

Step 2: Raise the heels and leave the tip of the toes touching the floor. Hold for 5 seconds and lower the feet.

Step 3: Raise the heel and curl the toes inwards, and the tips of the toes remain on the floor and hold of five seconds. Repeat each for about ten times to build mobility and flexibility.

Exercises

Foot drop is the inability to raise the feet due to paralysis and nerve weakness. Foot drop is not a condition, but it can be a symptom of a foot condition. Foot drop can cause one to drag their toes when walking because it is difficult to lift the front of your foot. The underlying condition causing foot drop must be treated to improve foot motion. The exercises strengthen the muscles of the lower foot, and ankle and improve the foot drop condition.

Towel stretches

Sit on the floor with both legs in front of you straight. Then loop a towel or an exercise band around the foot and hold the ends. Pull the towel towards your body hold for 30 seconds, then stop. Repeat this exercise three times.

Exercises

Plantar fasciitis is common with people who engage in physical activities and pregnant women because of increased pressure on the plantar fascia ligament, causing and pain. Plantar fasciitis stretches help soothe pain on the feet.

  1. While sitting up straight, roll the foot back and forth over an ice-cold can or a . Roll each foot for one minute and switch to the other foot.
  2. Cross one leg over the other. Grab the big toe and pull gently towards you and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat this three times on the same foot before switching to the other foot.

Foot exercises help you maintain happy feet and if you have questions about the right kind of exercise for your foot, reach out to a . Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our . Our foot and ankle doctor, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.