Many foot conditions can be avoided when everyday foot care routines are practiced. These can consist of wearing shoes that fit correctly, and ensuring there is adequate room for the toes to move freely in. It is beneficial to avoid wearing high heels which may help to prevent painful conditions such as Morton’s neuroma and bunions from developing. Additionally, it is helpful to begin the day by washing and drying the feet thoroughly, followed by applying a good moisturizer. Trimming the toenails straight across while leaving the nail slightly longer than the tips of the toes may help to prevent an ingrown toenail from forming. Many people enjoy stretching their feet. A popular massaging stretch can be done by rolling the sole of the foot on a tennis ball, which may help to maintain proper circulation. If you would like more information about everyday foot care practices, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can provide you with useful information.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact our podiatrists from Superior 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 office located in Long Beach, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Certain foot conditions are prevalent among pregnant women. There are several reasons this can happen, including the extra weight that is gained during this time. Flat feet can be common, as a result of the additional pressure the feet must endure. The heels may become painful for the same reason, and wearing appropriate footwear may help to alleviate this condition. Swollen ankles, or edema is a common complaint among pregnant women. The fluids tend to collect in the ankles and feet, and it is helpful to elevate them as often as possible. Hormonal changes may be responsible for a hot or burning sensation in the feet and may increase when the woman is fatigued. Relief from many symptoms can be found when the correct shoes are worn, and it can help to participate in a gentle exercise routine. If you have foot pain while pregnant, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can offer you additional relief options. 

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with our podiatrists from Superior Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Long Beach, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail of the big toe grows into the surrounding nail bed instead of over it. The main symptom of an ingrown toenail is pain, especially when wearing tight shoes and socks or putting pressure on the toe. If left untreated, the area around the ingrown toenail can become inflamed and red, while fluid builds up as a protective measure. If infected, white or yellow pus may form. The major cause of an ingrown toenail is improper foot care, particularly when the toenails are cut too short or rounded on the edges instead of straight across. Other causes are wearing shoes and socks that are too tight, an injury like stubbing the toe, or sweaty feet. Prevention of an ingrown toenail begins with keeping your feet clean and dry, changing socks regularly, and cutting toenails straight across. Next, wear comfortable shoes that allow the toes to move around rather than being squeezed together. If an ingrown toenail becomes too painful or infected, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist who can determine the best treatment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact our podiatrists of Superior 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 office located in Long Beach, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Heel fissures are cracks or breaks in the skin of the heels and usually form from intense dryness and thickened skin. These cracks can be superficial or deep, and they may bleed or feel painful. Heel fissures may worsen and become infected or turn into skin ulcers, and it is important to treat them to prevent this from happening. There may be underlying conditions that can lead to heel fissures, which can include, but are not limited to, nutritional deficiencies that can cause the skin to lose moisture, and skin ailments that result in inflammation, itching and dryness. Additionally, cracked heels may happen as a result of wearing footwear that does not allow the feet to breathe. People who have diabetes are at risk for nerve damage to the feet, which is referred to as peripheral neuropathy. One of the several problems this can create can affect the nerves on the feet. Sweating may be reduced or stopped, possibly causing a dry environment for skin fissures to develop. If you are experiencing heel fissures, it is strongly suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer correct treatment methods. 

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact our podiatrists from Superior Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Long Beach, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.