Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!
Winter can be a time of new or worsening foot and ankle problems. Wintertime foot problems can be caused by a combination of cold weather, a more sedentary lifestyle, an increase in body weight, wearing unsupportive shoes, and weather conditions that can increase the risk of injury.
The cold weather can wreak havoc on your feet. A cold, dry climate can be responsible for dry, cracked heels. More than just an aesthetic problem, these cracks can be deep, painful, and prone to bleeding. To prevent them, it’s suggested that you take extra care to exfoliate and moisturize your feet in the winter and wear shoes and socks that protect your feet from the cold. Cold weather can also cause the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in your toes to spasm, leading to problems such as chilblains and Raynaud’s disease.
On the other hand, feet that are too wet from sweat are also a problem. In the winter, many people wear warm, thick socks made from materials that trap moisture. This creates the perfect breeding ground for fungi that can cause athlete’s foot and fungal toenails infections. Wear moisture-wicking socks to avoid this issue.
A more sedentary lifestyle and weight gain during the winter can put strain on the feet and ankles, increasing the risk of injuries that are caused by excess strain and pressure. Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot, and general foot pain are both common.
Icy weather conditions can increase your risk of twisting an ankle or falling and sustaining an injury. To avoid this, wear thick-soled, non-slip boots and take extra care to look out for ice when walking outside. If you have any foot or ankle problems this winter, it is suggested that you seek the care of a chiropodist.
Having cold feet in winter is normal due to the cold temperatures. However, if you’re wearing your warmest socks, sitting by a fireplace, and your feet still feel like icicles, then there may be more than just cold weather to blame for your cold feet. Cold feet can be caused by poor circulation in the lower limbs, which is often associated with conditions like diabetes and peripheral artery disease. Nerve damage in the feet can also lead to a cold or numb sensation. Systemic conditions, such as hypothyroidism and anemia, may also make your feet, and whole body, feel cold. If you’re experiencing inexplicably cold feet, please seek the care of a chiropodist.
The winter months can bring about new or worsening foot and ankle problems. If you’re suffering from foot or ankle pain, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility.
Winter Foot Problems
Cracked heels - Dry, cracked skin on the heels of the feet that is associated with cold, dry weather
Athlete’s foot - A fungal infection on the skin of the feet
Blisters - Fluid-filled bubbles of skin that usually form in response to friction
Fractures - Broken bones in the feet or ankles
Metatarsalgia - General foot pain
Chilblains - Spasming of the small blood vessels in the toes in response to exposure to cold weather
Raynaud’s disease - Numbness, pain, and color changes in the toes due to cold weather
Prevention
Wear warm socks and shoes
Avoid prolonged exposure to the cold
Moisturize the heels regularly
Keep your feet clean and dry
Walk carefully in areas that may be icy
Wear non-slip shoes
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Summer can be a time when the feet are particularly vulnerable to various medical problems. This is because the warm weather means that many people will wear shoes that do not adequately cushion and protect the feet or will go barefoot entirely. Fortunately, most summertime foot problems can be treated or prevented.
In the summertime, most people frequent warm, moist public areas, such as swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers, walking around barefoot. These places are breeding grounds for various fungi and viruses that can get into the feet, causing an infection. Tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. It’s characterized by a red, scaly, itchy rash and skin peeling, usually found between the toes. Fungus can also infect the toenails, making them brittle, crumbly, thickened, and discolored. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection that can cause benign, fleshy growths called warts to grow on the soles of the feet. When going to public places, it’s suggested that you wear shoes to protect your feet from infectious agents and that you avoid sharing personal items like shoes and towels with others.
For many people, staple summer footwear includes flip-flops and open-back, open-toe sandals. Unfortunately, these shoes are usually flimsy and don’t protect the feet or provide any support or cushioning. Some also require you to scrunch up your toes while you walk to keep the shoes on your feet. This can lead to a variety of foot and ankle injuries, heel pain, arch pain, bunions, hammertoes, and dry, cracked heels. When shopping for summer shoes, look for shoes that fit properly and have adequate cushioning in the heel and arch area. They should stay on your feet while you walk without any effort and protect your feet from the elements. If you must wear flip-flops, limit wear to just a few hours every few days, or when going to specific places like the pool or beach.
For more information about common summer foot problems and how to treat and prevent them, please consult with a chiropodist.
The swimming pool is a fun place to visit during the warm summer months, but it’s also a place where the viruses and fungi that can cause foot problems thrive. The wet, humid conditions at most public swimming pools, coupled with many people walking around barefoot, are breeding grounds for tinea, the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. This condition is a skin infection characterized by rough, scaly, itchy, and peeling skin. Fungi at the pool can also infect the toenails, causing them to become thickened, crumbly, and discolored. Both of these infections can be treated with topical and oral antifungal medications. Foot warts are also commonly contracted poolside and are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The warts are benign, fleshy growths of rough, grainy skin and are often painless. They can go away on their own given time, or they can be treated through various methods. The best way to prevent these infections is to maintain good foot hygiene, avoid sharing personal items like shoes, socks, and towels with others, and wear flip-flops or other shoes when frequenting public areas like swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers. For more information, please consult with a chiropodist.
Summer is the season for many foot and ankle issues. If you’re suffering from a foot or ankle problem, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility.
Common Summer Foot Problems
Athlete’s foot
Toenail fungus
Plantar warts
Foot and ankle injuries
Bunions
Hammertoes
Heel pain
Cracked heels
Sunburns
Blisters
Prevention
Wear supportive shoes and avoid flip-flops
Maintain good foot hygiene
Exfoliate and moisturize the heels
Apply sunscreen to the feet and ankles
Wear shoes in public areas like swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the skin of the feet. The fungus that causes athlete’s foot lives and thrives in warm, moist environments such as public swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers. This fungus can infect the feet through a cut or crack in the skin. Athlete’s foot is also highly contagious, and the fungus can spread from person to person through sharing personal items such as shoes, socks, or towels.
The symptoms of athlete’s foot include itching, stinging, or burning between your toes or on the soles of your feet, itchy foot blisters, and dry, cracked, or peeling skin on the feet. The infection can also spread to your toenails, leading to discoloration, thickening, and crumbling.
Through a physical examination, athlete’s foot can be diagnosed by your chiropodist based on its symptoms. Sometimes, a skin test may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. Athlete’s foot can be treated with both oral and topical over-the-counter or prescription medications. You can prevent a fungal infection by maintaining good foot hygiene, wearing shoes when walking in public areas, avoiding sharing personal items with others, and keeping your feet clean and dry.
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. This fungus lives and thrives in warm, moist environments. Walking barefoot in public places such as swimming pools and locker room areas, sharing personal items like shoes and socks, having excessively sweaty or wet feet, or having a minor skin or nail injury on your foot can all make you more susceptible to athlete’s foot. If you have developed athlete’s foot, you may find that the skin on your feet is itchy, dry, cracking, peeling, or raw, especially in between your toes and on the soles of your feet. Potential treatments for athlete’s foot include oral and topical medications. If you are afflicted with athlete’s foot, a chiropodist can help find the right treatment for you.
Athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable and unsightly. To learn more about preventing and treating this condition, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot refers to an infection of the skin on the feet that is caused by a fungus. This fungus is contagious and thrives in warm and moist environments. It is often spread in common areas such as public pools, locker rooms, and showers. It can also spread when sharing personal items, like shoes or towels, with an infected person.
Symptoms
The symptoms of athlete’s foot may include:
Itching, stinging, or burning of the skin on the feet
Cracking or peeling skin, especially between the toes and on the soles of the feet
Scaly, red rash on the foot
Blisters
Foul odor
Treatment
Treatment for athlete’s foot typically involves using over-the-counter topical antifungal medications on the feet. When over-the-counter options are ineffective, you may need to take prescription oral medications or topical antifungal drugs, or a combination of both.
Prevention
Preventing athlete’s foot places an emphasis on good foot hygiene practices.
You can prevent athlete’s foot by:
Washing and drying your feet thoroughly every day
Wearing shoes when walking in public areas
Not sharing personal items, like shoes or socks, with others
Wearing shoes and socks made out of breathable materials
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Foot pain is a common symptom of a large variety of injuries and medical conditions. A diagnosis can be narrowed down by describing the locations and type of pain that you are experiencing.
Pain in the heel is often caused by plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the toes. Plantar fasciitis usually causes stabbing heel pains and the pain is at its worst upon arising in the morning or when taking your first steps after a long period of rest. Heel pain can also be caused by heel spurs, bruises on the fat pad of the heel, or heel fractures.
Pain in the ball of the foot can be caused by Morton’s neuroma, in which the tissue of the nerves between the bases of the toes become thickened, causing tingling and numbness. Other causes of pain in the ball of the foot include metatarsalgia or sesamoiditis.
Pain in the arch of the foot can be caused by plantar fasciitis or having flat feet or fallen arches. Pain in the toes can be caused by many conditions, including gout, bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, toe sprains or fractures, arthritis, and corns.
To find out what is causing your foot pain, it is recommended that you consult with a chiropodist, who can diagnose your condition and offer the appropriate treatments.
Foot pain is a common symptom for a variety of different foot conditions. The location of pain within the foot may help determine what the cause is. Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis, an inflammation in the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot connecting the heel bone to the toes. Stone bruises are deep bruises on the fat pad of the heel, and heel spurs are irregular bone growths on the bottom of the heel. Both conditions are also causes of foot and heel pain. Pain in the ball of the foot can be caused by conditions like metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma, and sesamoiditis. Pain in the arch of the foot may be caused by flat feet, but more commonly, arch pain is caused due to plantar fasciitis. Toe pain can be caused by gout, arthritis, foot deformities like hammertoes or bunions, ingrown toenails, or injuries to the toe such as a strain, sprain, or fracture. To determine the cause of your foot pain and to find the best treatment, consult with a chiropodist today.
Foot pain can have many causes. To receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your foot pain, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Causes
There are a variety of different conditions that can cause foot pain, including:
Plantar fasciitis
Deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes
Injuries to the muscles, bones, tendons, or ligaments in the feet
Arthritis
Flat feet
Ingrown toenails
Symptoms
The type and location of your foot pain can help determine what may be causing it and what type of treatment options are best for you.
Common types of foot pain include:
Heel pain
Arch pain
Toe pain
Ball of foot pain
Pain that has a stabbing, burning, or tingling quality
Pain that is constant, intermittent, or that gets better or worse depending on the situation
Diagnosis
A thorough medical history and physical examination of your feet will be required to determine a diagnosis. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs may be performed to rule out or confirm certain diagnoses.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Common treatments for foot pain include resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot, wearing orthotics, or taking anti-inflammatory medications.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows into the surrounding skin rather than over it. This can affect any toe, but most often happens on the big toe. Signs of an ingrown toenail include the surrounding skin becoming tender, painful, swollen, red, and warm. In some cases, the area can become infected, and white or yellow pus may drain from the area. If an ingrown toenail is showing signs of infection, it is recommended that you seek medical treatment.
Ingrown toenails are usually caused by wearing poorly fitting shoes or trimming the toenails improperly. Shoes that are too tight and have narrow, pointed toes or high heels can compress the toes and cause the toenails to curl and grow into the skin. Trimming your nails into a rounded shape or cutting them too short can cause the edges of the nail to grow into the skin. Other potential causes for ingrown toenails include sustaining an injury near the toenail, having a fungal nail infection, using certain prescription medications, and having an abnormal nail shape. Some people also have a genetic predisposition to developing ingrown toenails.
Preventing ingrown toenails begins with proper trimming. Trim your nails regularly using nail clippers rather than nail scissors. Nail clippers cut the nail straight across, avoiding the rounded edges that can make ingrown toenails likely to develop. Make sure that while trimming the nails that you do not cut them too short. Wear comfortable shoes with low heels and a wide toe area to keep your toes from squishing together.
For more information about ingrown toenails, please consult with a chiropodist.
