Millennial
Foot Care

A bunion is a bony prominence or bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe, first metatarsophalangeal joint.  It usually occurs slowly over time, and eventually gets bigger and sticks out.

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Signs and symptoms of a bunion include swelling, redness or soreness around your big toe joint, corns and calluses developing in the area, ongoing pain that comes and goes, limited movement of your big toe.

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CAUSES-

A bunion is mainly a hereditary condition.  Other causes can be due to earing narrow or tight shoes, or a history of arthritis.  At times, a bunion deformity can lead to other problems in the foot like a hammertoe of the lesser toes, bursitis, and metatarsalgia.

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PREVENTION-

To help prevent bunions, choose your shoes carefully.  Avoid pointy shoes and opt for shoes with a wider toe box.  Bunion sleeves are supportive slip-on sleeve that covers the metatarsophalangeal joint with padding to eliminate pain and friction to the area.  If conservative treatment is not successful, then visiting a podiatrist to discuss surgical options is the next step.​

Diabetes can lead to a series of  foot complications if not seen by a podiatrist on a routine basis.  Complications like a non-healing wound, loss of sensation in your feet, numbness, and neuropathy  are the most common scenarios presented in an uncontrolled diabetic. 

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PREVENTION-

To prevent severe complications, diabetics should check their blood sugars daily, and inspect their feet for any changes.  Prior to getting into the shower or soaking your feet, one should check the temperature of the water using their hands to make sure it is not too hot.  It is also important for diabetics to routinely visit their primary care doctor for bloodwork and a physical examination at least four times a year.

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If you are a diabetic and experiencing constant foot pain, loss of sensation in your feet, frequent trips and falls, or an open sore on your foot that is not healing, you should visit a podiatrist at your earliest convenience.

Your toenails and feet are susceptible to fungal infections which can be difficult to treat.  Foot fungal infections that present on the skin are often called "Athlete's Foot" can present themselves as dry, scaly, peeling, and itchy skin with or without a malodor.  Untreated athlete's foot can result in cracking and breaks in the skin which can lead to bigger complications and infections.  Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, often presents itself as painful, thickened, brittle, yellow, or brown discoloration.  The toenail is often difficult to trim without the help of a podiatrist and professional tools.

 

CAUSES-

1. Foot fungus thrives in dark, warm, moist areas making your feet highly susceptible to a fungal infection.  Athletes' foot is contagious, and one can be exposed at the pool, the gym, and places where people are barefoot.   

2. The best way to reduce your chances of a fungal infection is to keep your feet dry especially after showers.  Over-the-counter antifungal creams and solutions are helpful for initial cases of fungus infection.  If you have exhausted over-the-counter antifungal creams with no solutions, it is time to see a podiatrist for prescribed treatment or alternative methods.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain.  It involves the inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament that runs from your toes to your heel bone, aiding in the arch of your foot.  Heel spurs can also cause plantar fasciitis, indicative sign of plantar fasciitis is stabbing pain that usually occurs when one takes their first step out of bed in the morning.  As you begin to move and get up, the pain normally decreases but might return after long periods of standing or when you go from a sitting to standing position.

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RISK FACTORS-

Plantar fasciitis can develop without an apparent cause; however, they are some factors that can increase your risk of developing this condition.  They include:

AGE-Plantar fasciitis is most common between the ages of 40-60 and in young athletes under 30.

CERTAIN EXERCISES-Activities that place a lot of stress on your heel and surrounding ligaments-such as long-distance running, ballet, or aerobic dance-can lead to the onset of plantar fasciitis.

FOOT MECHANICS-Flat feet, a high arch, or an abnormal pattern of walking can affect the way weight is distributed when in a standing position.

OBESITY- Excess weight can put extra stress on your plantar fascia and heel.

OCCUPATION-Factory workers, teachers, mail carriers, and others who spend most of their hours walking or standing on hard surfaces can damage the plantar fascia.

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TREATMENT-

Rest, applying ice, orthotics and stretching, aids in reducing inflammation and pain associated with plantar fasciitis.  If pain and swelling persists, it is best to visit a podiatrist for X-rays, prescribed treatment and/or alternative methods of treatment

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A hammertoe or mallet toe is a toe with an abnormal bend or curvature at one of the joints of the toe. This deformity can cause pain and difficulty walking or fitting shoes.  At times, a corn or callus may appear on top of the joint due to constant friction and rubbing in shoe gear.  

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CAUSES-

They are several causes for a hammertoe deformity.  The three main causes are shoe gear, trauma, and abnormal balance of the muscles in the toe.

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1. High-heeled shoes or tight footwear with limited space in the toe box can often limit your toes into a space where the toe cannot lie flat. The curled toe position can persist even when you're barefoot or wearing open toes shoes.

2. In the event where a person injures or fractures their toe, that trauma can develop into a hammertoe or permanent in the toe.

3. The imbalance between the muscles and ligaments in your toe can lead to instability when walking and cause the toe to contract.

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TYPES-​

They are kinds of hammertoes: flexible and rigid.  Flexible hammertoes are typically treated with manual manipulation and over-the-counter products like toe sleeves or toe cushions and pads.  Rigid hammertoes have limited mobility and only respond to surgical correction.  

An ingrown toenail is a common condition when the toenail curve and grows into the soft flesh between the nail and the skin at the edge or corner of the toe.  This area can create redness, pain, swelling, and infection to the area.  The great toe is mainly affected, but an ingrown toenail can occur with the lesser toes.

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CAUSES-

Common causes of ingrown toenails include cutting your toenails too short or not straight across, injuring your toenail, wearing tight shoes that crowd your toenails or having unusually curved toenails.

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TREATMENT-

If you are having mild discomfort without any signs of infection, soaking your foot in warm water with Epsom salt and gently massaging the sore tissue can ease the pain.  If the ingrown toenail becomes increasingly painful and begins to look infected, it is best to see a podiatrist to remove the toenail in the office and/or prescribe antibiotics.  Diabetics and patients who suffer from poor blood flow and nerve damage should seek professional care immediately to decrease the risk of getting an ulcer or gangrene.