Items filtered by date: June 2017

If you have swelling, pain, redness, or infection near your big toe; you may have an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails result when the corner of a nail grows into the soft flesh that surrounds it. While ingrown toenails may cause minimal pain at first, they can spread and worsen very quickly. People who have diabetes or other serious conditions that cause poor blood flow to the feet are at a higher risk of developing ingrown toenails. Nevertheless, there are at-home remedies that can be performed in order to treat minor cases of ingrown toenails. One method is to soak your feet in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes a few times per day. Soaking will help reduce swelling along with tenderness in the feet. If you have an ingrown toenail that is progressively worsening, you should seek the assistance of a podiatrist right away.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Now that the warm weather is starting to approach us, you may be tempted to start wearing open toed shoes. However, it is important that you take good care of your feet so that you can be confident while wearing your favorite sandals this summer. Getting rid of the dead skin that may have built up during the winter months should be one of the first steps you take toward improving your foot health. This can be done via the natural route by using sea salt or grape seeds as exfoliants. If you still have dead skin on your feet after exfoliating, you may want to seek the assistance of a podiatrist for treatment. Another tip to have healthy feet is to make sure your toenails are cut straight across, instead of in a rounded shape. You should try to make an effort to trim your toenails every two to three weeks.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday 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. 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 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. 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 offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

It is important that you choose the right pair of shoes to wear in order to avoid any sort of injury. Wearing the wrong pair can cause you discomfort and aggravate any pre-existing conditions you may have. Depending on what type of activity you are about to partake in, you should research what type of shoe would be the best fit for you. For example if you are going hiking, you should look for a shoe that is stiffer, with a high ankle. If you are going running, you should look for a flexible shoe that has a breathable material. Walking shoes should have good arch support and should be stiffer than a running shoe, although slightly more flexible than a hiking shoe.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Women are often faced with social pressure to wear high heels. Although they make for a wonderful fashion statement, high heels may slowly harm your feet. Heels cause your body to shift forward, therefore pushing all your weight onto the ball of your foot. Wearing high heels may push your hips and knees forward as well, which forces your back to compensate and hyperextend. Consequently, your entire spine may become misaligned. Other problems that may stem from wearing heels include stress fractures, knee pain, back pain, and tendinitis. If you still choose to wear heels, you should know that moderation is key. Another tip is to wear a commuter shoe on your way to work to save yourself from the pain that wearing heels may cause.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.