How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that often affects the skin between the toes. However, athlete’s foot is not limited to those individuals who participate in sports.

This video provides a number of tips in the prevention of athlete’s foot.

Public showers, locker rooms, and pools are breeding grounds for fungus, so wear a pair of rubber sandals or water-socks to protect your feet in these areas. It is also important to dry your feet thoroughly –especially between all your toes– after showering or sweating and wear a pair of breathable shoes. Use socks designed to keep moisture away from your skin.  Cotton is NOT a good material for socks for those who need to keep the skin of their feet dry.  Wool was the first material used by man for this purpose, but today there are many manmade fabrics that function as well as, or better than, wool.  Watch this clip for more tips.

Are you showing symptoms of athlete’s foot? Learn more about your treatment options by contacting Family Foot Center online or by calling (347) 635-5256.

We also provide treatment for bunions, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts.

2017-06-08T12:25:41+00:00 November 30th, 2012|

Questions to Ask Your Podiatrist During Your First Visit

Podiatry is a specialized branch of medicine and surgery that focuses on treating conditions of the human foot and related structures. Visiting a podiatrist for foot pain is a good first step, and asking the right questions of your doctor can put you in a great position to heal your foot pain.

What Is the Cause of My Foot Pain?

Foot pain is one of the most common reasons for podiatry visits. Foot pain or discomfort may be caused by a number of factors including torn or overstretched tissues, bone fractures, developmental deformities, sports injuries, and improper footwear to name but a few causes.

How Will You Diagnose My Condition?

Your podiatrist will have you complete a patient medical history questionnaire at the beginning of your appointment to assess your symptoms, lifestyle factors, and previous injuries or surgeries. After performing a physical examination, your foot doctor may recommend a number of diagnostic tests, including blood testing, x-rays, MRI, and/or CT scans, to diagnose the underlying cause of your pain.
What Are My Treatment Options?

The treatment options will vary based on your specific symptoms and the source of your pain. For example, individuals suffering from heel pain may benefit from orthotic inserts (arch supports) or special footwear, whereas those with bunions or hammertoes may require surgical intervention.

How Can I Protect My Feet?

Your podiatrist will generally provide you with a number of tips to help protect the health of your feet in the future. This may include keeping your feet clean and dry, trimming your toenails evenly, wearing properly-fitting footwear, and scheduling an appointment at the first sign of injury.

Whether you are suffering from heel pain, ingrown toenails, or hammertoes, the Family Foot Center in Whitestone, Queens, New York is here to help.

Give us a call at (718) 767-5555 for more information on our services.

2017-06-07T23:21:12+00:00 November 22nd, 2012|

A Look at the Causes of Arch Problems

Part of the arch of your foot includes a thick, very strong, fibrous band of tissue known as the plantar fascia, which connects your toes to your heel bone. The plantar fascia, because it is connected to your toes, is normally pulled when you bend your toes to walk or run and functions to help maintain the height of your arch.  We take thousands of steps each day and as such, this area of our body can become overused or overstretched and injured in a variety of ways. Arch problems are typically caused by one or several of these issues:

Structural Abnormalities

Certain structural abnormalities of the bones, tendons, muscles, or ligaments within your feet can increase the chances of arch problems.  Flat feet, for example, strain the plantar fascia due to the shape of the foot itself.

Damage to the Posterior Tibial Tendon

The posterior tibial tendon attaches one of the muscles in your calve to the bones on the inside of your arch and helps to hold up your arch while walking. Individuals whose posterior tibial tendon becomes damaged may eventually develop flat feet, dramatically increasing the chances of arch problems and heel pain.

Improper Footwear

 

Many people suffer from temporary arch problems because they are not wearing shoes with proper arch support. If you have foot pain, wear comfortable shoes with proper arch support, ample room in the toe box, and breathable fabric. You may also consider investing in prescription arch supports if you experience pain in arch or heel that is not relieved with over-the-counter devices.

Obesity

Being overweight or obese puts an increased amount of pressure on the structures within your feet, including your arches. For this reason, individuals who are overweight and women who are pregnant often experience heel pain or plantar fasciitis.

Learn how you heal your arch and heel pain for good by contacting the Family Foot Center.

Give us a call at (718) 767-5555 or check us out online to set up an initial appointment.

2017-07-02T14:03:27+00:00 November 14th, 2012|

All About Common Foot Problems

Foot problems can be painful and may negatively affect the quality of a person’s life. Learn more about common foot problems and how you can treat them by clicking through these links.

  • Orthotics are one of the most common treatments for foot pain and discomfort. Learn more about orthotics from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
  • Read this article from the New York Times to learn more about how heel pain is caused and how it can be treated.
  • Learn how to spot common foot problems by looking through this slide show from WebMD.com.
  • Athlete’s foot is a common but treatable foot condition many active individuals face at some point in their lives. Learn about how to prevent and treat athlete’s foot with this information from KidsHealth.org.
  • Plantar warts are an annoying and sometimes painful foot condition. If you would like to learn more about plantar warts, read this information from Mayo Clinic.

If you are interested in learning more about common foot problems and foot health, call Family Foot Center at (718) 767-5555. Our staff is experienced and compassionate, and we can help you and your feet stay healthy and free of pain.

2017-06-08T12:25:56+00:00 November 10th, 2012|

How to Treat Foot Odors

Foot odor is fairly common, but nonetheless unattractive. Foot odor comes from bacteria interacting with chemicals in your sweat. The more your feet sweat, the stronger foot odor will become. Dr. Neil Schultz from DermTV.com explains possible treatments for foot odor.

Fortunately, foot odor is relatively easy to manage. Using a conventional antiperspirant and cleaning your feet thoroughly in the shower can go a long way toward keeping your feet smelling fresh. Learn more about what you can do to treat foot odor by watching this video.

If you suffer from foot problems, including heel pain, foot ulcers, fungus, or severe discomfort, then contact Family Foot Center at (718) 767-5555. We offer over two decades of experience and can treat anything from foot odor to broken bones. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

2017-06-07T23:25:57+00:00 November 1st, 2012|