Displaying items by tag: blisters

At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we know many of our Los Angeles County patients can’t wait to take a vacation. After a year plus of Covid restrictions, you’ve got places to go and people to see! Our goal is to make sure a painful foot problem doesn’t slow you down. Below are four potential pitfalls you’ll want to avoid on your summer vacation.

1. Not Wearing Socks with Sandals—Yes, you read that right. While normally wearing socks with sandals would be a fashion “faux pas,” if your trip starts with an airplane flight it’s highly encouraged. Most security checks require you to remove your shoes. Every person who walks with bare feet through the scanner machine has the potential to leave behind bacteria or fungi that can result in athlete’s foot, fungal toenails or another infection which are passed on by direct contact for the people who follow them.
2. Getting New Shoes for Vacation—It’s great to find the perfect pair of shoes to go with your new shorts and sundresses, but packing them before wearing them can be a big mistake. Even though you should always try on both shoes when purchasing and spend some time in the store walking around, new shoes can still surprise you with blisters or rubbing in places you didn’t expect. Try them out at different times (your feet are largest and most swollen at the end of the day) for a day or two before you go to make sure they are comfortable and pain-free.
3. Being a Bare-Foot Beach Bum—With the sun beating down on it, the sand at the beach can heat up to over 100 degrees F. Even a few steps from the parking area to your beach blanket can result in dangerous blistering burns to the soles of your feet. If you like to take walks on the beach, a pair of water shoes can also help you avoid sharp objects that can cause puncture wounds and other hazards like jellyfish that have washed up on the shore.
4. Forgetting to Pack Foot Care Essentials—Even if you’re only traveling with a carry-on bag you should have room for a few small items that can make a big difference in foot comfort while on vacation. If our podiatrists, Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, have prescribed a custom orthotic, don’t leave it home! It’s also a good idea to bring moleskin to prevent painful blisters, foot powder, nail clippers, and an emery board.

We hope you and your family have a great vacation this summer. If you find a foot or ankle is hurting you when you return, or you notice other unusual symptoms in your feet, be sure to contact our Long Beach office at (562) 420-9800 office promptly for an appointment.

Hiking is a great way to stay in shape, spend time with family and friends, and appreciate the beauty of nature. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we want our patients to keep their feet safe while enjoying this activity. Below are some recommendations before you hit the trail.

Shoe Sense—it all starts with the right hiking shoes or boots. The terrain on trails can be steep, uneven, and unstable. It’s essential that you have the proper foot gear. Get professionally fitted and buy quality-hiking shoes that protect your feet from moisture, provide good support and shock absorption, and have a tread to help prevent slips and slides. If you have chronic foot problem such as weak ankles or heel spurs, see our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas get recommendations for shoe styles and other modifications that will best accommodate your condition.

Proper Planning—if you are planning to hike on a trail you’ve never been on, study a map to determine the length of the trail, whether it’s “in and out” or a circle, the elevation, and how the trail is maintained. Take into consideration your current physical condition and don’t overdo it. Warm-up and stretch before starting a hike to avoid injuries like Achilles tendonitis.

Knapsack Know-How—in addition to granola bars and plenty of water (which will not only keep you hydrated but also reduce the chances of painful swelling in your feet and ankles), you should include a few other items in your backpack. Blisters, though small, can ruin a hike. Pack moleskin and use it as soon as you notice rubbing or a sore spot on your foot. It’s also a good idea to have wraps or elastic bandages in case of an ankle sprain and bandages and antibiotic ointment for minor scrapes or insect bites.

Foot and ankle injuries require immediate medical attention. If you fall, twist an ankle, or injure your feet or ankles in any way while hiking, contact our Long Beach office in Douglas Park, CA by calling (562) 420-9800 as soon as possible. Until you can get in to see us, follow the RICE regimen: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we know that diabetes can affect your skin, joints, and bones in a number of ways. Two conditions associated with the disease—peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and neuropathy—are of particular concern when it comes to your lower extremities. PAD is a narrowing or blocking of the arteries to your legs, which can lead to poor circulation. This means that nutrient and oxygen-rich blood necessary for healing cannot reach your legs, feet, and toes as quickly as needed. Neuropathy is nerve damage that can result in loss of feeling in your feet, which makes it difficult to perceive pain and injury. This double whammy means that patients with diabetes are at a higher risk for a host of podiatric problems, including:

• Ulcers and wounds that do not heal properly
• Fungal infections
• Hammertoes
• Ingrown toenails
• Corns and calluses

Difficulty healing can cause even minor foot and toe problems to become major threats with the potential for infection and even amputation. Below are some ways you can be proactive in preventing foot problems if you have diabetes:

1. Control your blood sugar. Follow all your doctor’s instructions for managing your diabetes. Watch your diet, take your medications as directed and regularly test to make sure you are on track.
2. Schedule regular podiatric checkups. Our podiatrists, Victoria M. Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas, will work with you to prevent potentially dangerous foot issues. Seeing the foot doctor regularly will increase the chances of catching injuries and infections in their very early and most treatable stages. The podiatrist can also help with nail care, wound debridement and diabetic footwear and orthotics.
3. Keep feet clean, warm, and dry. Wash daily and dry thoroughly—especially between your toes. Use a foot powder before putting on socks.
4. Make sure shoes fit correctly. Avoid styles that have narrow toe boxes are that are made of very stiff materials. Keep the heel height to 2 inches or less.
5. Don’t walk barefoot. This dramatically increases your chances of getting athlete’s foot or a fungal toenail infection, which are contracted by direct contact. You are also more likely to step on a sharp object and injure your foot without shoes.
6. Conduct regular self-exams—it’s important that between appointments you are checking your feet and toes daily for any signs of rashes, cuts, blisters, bruises, growths or other indicators that a foot problem is developing. If you can’t see your whole foot as a family member or caregiver to assist you. Contact our Long Beach office immediately by calling (562) 420-9800 if you find anything concerning.

During July, we celebrate National Youth Sports Week. As many of our young patients begin to think about conditioning for fall sports, we at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center would like to share some information about how to protect your child’s feet and encourage safe sports participation.

Start Early

Participating in a sport has many benefits. It helps your child be physically fit and maintain a healthy weight and hopefully inspires them to develop a healthy lifestyle. While it may seem like the start of the school year is still far away, it takes time to get a body properly conditioned for a sport. If your child has spent the summer glued to their phone and video games, it’s essential that they get off the couch and start some regular physical activity. Check with your child’s coach to see if there are specific conditioning exercises that are recommended.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Before the start of a new sports season, it’s a good idea to get a checkup with one of our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas. You can call our Long Beach office at (562) 420-9800 to schedule an appointment. The foot doctor can do a complete examination of your child’s feet and ankles and also follow up on any previous sports injuries. If there are chronic conditions such as weak ankles or Sever’s disease, the podiatrist can make recommendations for shoe designs and strategies to help reduce discomfort and risk for injury.

Check the Shoes

The most important piece of equipment for any sport is your shoes. Some tips to consider:

• Buy shoes that are designed for the sport that your child is doing. Different sports require different types of movement for your feet, and today’s sports shoes are designed to accommodate the specific moves associated with a particular sport.
• Get your child’s foot professionally measured. Even if your child has played the sport before, chances are they will have outgrown last season’s shoes.
• Don’t buy big—yes, it’s frustrating how often kids shoes need to be replaced, but a snug fit prevents blisters and feet slipping around which, can result in ankle sprains and other injuries.

If you have additional questions about your child’s feet and sports, don’t hesitate to contact us.

If you are like many of our patients at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center the New Year is a time to renew your commitment to getting physically fit. This is a worthy resolution that will benefit your feet and your entire body. Improved circulation, maintaining a healthy weight, decreased risk of heart disease and high blood pressure and stress relief are among the many benefits of regular exercise. Before you get started, however, we’d like to make the following suggestions to protect your feet and increase the enjoyment of your fitness program.

Get a Checkup—it’s a good idea to meet with our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas and discuss your fitness goals and how you hope to achieve them. Some exercises put more stress on your feet than others. It’s important to have a complete examination of your feet and ankles and to have the foot doctor address any ongoing problems that you may be having. Sometimes special orthotics or padding may be recommended to protect a vulnerable area and make exercise more comfortable. The foot doctor can also make specific recommendations regarding shoes that suit your gait and foot.

Shop for Shoes—if you are going to be trying out a new activity go to a professional sports shoe store to get the correct footwear for your sport. Sports shoes are designed specifically for the types of movement required for specific activities. You should have your foot measured and also let the shoe salesperson know about any foot issues you have. You can avoid blisters by wearing shoes that are the correct size and don’t rub anywhere on your foot. Be sure to pick up some absorbent socks as well. Keeping feet dry is essential to avoid athlete’s foot and other fungal infections from developing.

Don’t Skip the Conditioning—properly warming up and stretching the ligaments, tendons and muscles in your lower legs and feet before and after exercise can help you avoid common injuries such as shin splints, Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.

If after you begin an exercise routine you notice pain in your toes, feet, ankles, calves or shins, be sure to make an appointment at our Long Beach office by calling: 562-420-9800. Continuing to work out while you are in pain will cause way more harm than good.

Here at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we believe in the importance of good foot care for all or our patients. For those with diabetes, however, extra precautions are necessary. Diabetes has several conditions associated with it that can result in major medical complications being caused by what other patients may deem minor foot issues. A compromised immune system, reduced circulation and neuropathy (or lack of sensation) all require additional measures to keep feet safe and healthy. Below are 6 podiatric tips for patients with diabetes:

1. Choose footwear carefully. Shoes should have roomy toe boxes that don’t cramp or squeeze toes together. This will reduce the risk of ingrown toenails. Shoes should be made of natural, breathable materials. Inspect shoes periodically to make sure there are no rough spots, loose stitching or other elements that could rub on the skin and cause a blister or ulcer.
2. Watch the heat. Don’t expose feet to high temperatures from fire places or electric blankets. Carefully monitor water temperature in baths and showers. A loss of sensation can result in burns due to the fact that the patient does not perceive pain from heat or burning.
3. Stay dry. Fungi love moist, dark places to grow, such as the inside of sweaty socks. Change socks as soon as you notice they are damp to help avoid fungal infections.
4. Keep the blood flowing. You can help improve circulation by exercising regularly and not sitting or standing in one position for long periods of time. Don’t cross your legs or wear socks that are tight or have elastic in the top to hold them up.
5. Inspect feet daily. Wash your feet in warm soapy water every day and while you do so, check for cuts, blisters, bumps, bruising, swelling, growths or anything unusual or different on your feet. Report any changes to the foot doctor promptly.
6. Make your podiatrist a care partner. Regular podiatric checkups with our podiatrists, Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas can go a long way toward prevent footing health problems. If seen regularly, the foot doctor can detect changes and potential issues in your feet in the very earliest stages and stop problems before they start.

If you are a patient with diabetes and you have questions about the health of your feet, contact our Long Beach office by calling: 562-420-9800.

At Superior Foot & Ankle Center we find that many patients do not fully realize the role the podiatrist can play in your foot and overall health. Our purpose is to provide acute and preventive care to your entire lower extremity (from the tips of your toes up to your knees). We have a wealth of treatment options available including pain relief, multiple therapies, custom orthotics, exercise and surgery to correct and improve foot discomfort associated with both age and activities, including sports injuries. In addition, in many cases the foot doctor is able to diagnose a larger, systemic issue from symptoms in your feet and can then collaborate with other health care professionals to care for the disorder.

Use the following as a guideline if you’re trying to decide if you should call the podiatrist:

1. You experience sudden or increasing pain; chronic pain seems to be getting more severe or more frequent
2. You notice abnormalities in your feet: swelling, changes in shape or size, bruising, lumps,
3. Other non-painful symptoms: tingling, burning, itching, pins and needles, numbness
4. Changes in skin (color, redness, scaling, flaking, sores, blisters, cracking) or toenails (discoloration, thickening, crumbling, peeling)
5. Possible signs of infection: pus or discharge, redness or red streaks, tenderness, heat, fever
6. You have any symptoms and have diabetes or other conditions that suppress the immune or circulatory systems—even the most minor symptoms can become major medical threats to these patients

If you said yes to any of the above symptoms or signs, contact our Long Beach office for an appointment by calling: 562-420-9800. Our foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will do a complete examination and help get to the bottom of your foot pain so that you can get back to the active lifestyle you love. Regardless of whether your foot disorder is common, such as athlete’s foot or an ingrown toenail or a more complex condition, starting treatment sooner rather than later will enable the foot doctor to use the least invasive methods and ensure the quickest cure.

Blisters are a minor foot problem that can cause a major pain and definitely put a temporary crimp in your summer activities. Blisters occur more frequently in the hot months because they are caused by the friction of your socks or shoes rubbing against your skin. Sweat increases friction and hence, more blisters. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we would like to offer some tips for preventing and treating blisters:

• Keep feet dry. As soon as you notice your feet are damp, change your socks. If you tend to sweat profusely, use a foot powder. In addition to blisters, damp feet can be the perfect breeding ground for fungal and bacterial infections.
• Buy shoes that fit properly. The idea that shoes need a breaking in period is a myth. Shop for new shoes at the end of the day—that’s when feet are most swollen. Also, it’s best to not bring a brand new pair of shoes on vacation where you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
• Pack moleskin for your summer vacation. If you begin to feel a sore spot on your heel or toes, cover with a piece of mole skin and change your shoes as soon as you are able to.
• If a blister does form, do not pop it. Cover with a bandage to prevent further irritation. Your body will naturally reabsorb the fluid.
• Should a blister open on its own, wash it with soap and water only. Then apply a small amount of antibacterial ointment and cover with a bandage. Do not cut or tear the open skin. The risk of infection is greatly increased with the skin being open and exposed.

For the most part, blisters are not a medical threat unless they become infected. In that case, you will notice pus or other drainage and potentially a foul odor coming from this blister. If this occurs or the blister appears to be filled with blood, contact our Venice office at: (562) 420-9800. One of our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas will need to examine your blister and determine if an infection or other problem has developed.

When it comes to running or walking for exercise, we at Superior Foot & Ankle Center believe that the most important piece of equipment required is a good shoe that is properly fitted for your individual foot. You do not need different shoes for running and walking. Running shoes usually have more shock absorption and are fine for walking.

Below are some tips to help you choose the right shoe and get a good fit:

• Start with an appointment with one of our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas. The right shoe for you will depend on your foot type. If you have a high arch or you wear a custom orthotic device, a cushioned neutral shoe is best. For someone with flat feet, a stability shoe is recommended. See our approved shoe list for specific brands and styles. Your foot doctor can make suggestions for particular styles or features if you have a toe deformity or other foot or ankle condition that will help protect the area and make running or walking more comfortable.
• Get professionally fitted by a sports shoe expert. Most people have two different size feet. It’s essential to buy shoes to accommodate the larger foot. There should be a half-inch of space between your longest toe and the front of your shoe. A majority of people wear shoes that are too small for their feet and this leads to injury and deformity.
• Wear the socks you will run or walk in when you go to try on shoes. We recommend a cotton blend or a sock with CoolMax. Bleach white socks to prevent athlete’s foot.
• To avoid blisters, be sure that the heel of the shoe fits snugly and that the foot doesn’t slip when you walk. Also, run your hand around the inside of the shoe to check for rough stitching or bumps that can cause friction and result in a blister.
• Take your time when trying on shoes. Walk around the store for several minutes. Many running shoe stores will have a treadmill so that you can try running in the shoes as well.
• Remember to replace running/walking shoes after approximately 400 miles. Even good shoes lose their supportiveness once they are worn out and wearing them can present an increased risk of injury.

If you have more questions about running or walking and your feet, contact our Long Beach office by calling us at 562-420-9800.

If getting in shape is one of your New Year’s resolutions, we at Superior Foot & Ankle Center would like to encourage you to consider walking. Walking is a very effective exercise, particularly if you have been inactive in the recent past. Consider these benefits:

• Can be done all year round outdoors (especially with our beautiful Long Beach weather) or indoors on a treadmill
• Walking is an activity that can be enjoyed alone or with others
• Walking lowers blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol while also providing a cardiovascular workout, improved circulation, stress relief and weight loss
• No special equipment is needed (except a good pair of walking shoes)

Of course walking can cause problems as well. Blisters, corns and calluses, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and Achilles tendonitis are all potential conditions that can occur as a result of walking. You can help prevent these problems from developing, however, by following a few simple tips:

• Make an appointment for a podiatric check up before starting your new walking routine. Our board certified foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will examine your toes, feet and ankles and determine if there are any pre-existing problems that need to be treated. The foot doctor can also analyze your gait and see if you tend toward over-pronation, which may affect your shoe choice.
• Choose a sensible walking program that starts out slow and gradually increases distance and intensity.
• Always remember to stretch before and after you walk.
• Invest in good walking shoes and get professionally fitted at a sports or fitness store.

A little soreness or stiffness when you start a new fitness routine is normal but if you find you are experiencing ongoing pain or any swelling or other unusual symptoms contact our Long Beach office by calling: 562-420-9800.